Getting out of the fast lane with slow, ethical fashion
Many of us know that an addiction to extremely low prices and fleeting trends has resulted in a fast-fashion culture that is destroying the planet at an alarming rate. But with such an impact on both people and planet, Veo can see the future…enter →slow fashion.
Sustainable style is the new wave for the industry. Think high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that work with almost any outfit and can remain staples in your wardrobe for years to come. If you’re not sure where to start? We’ve curated some of the most fashion-forward, high-quality sustainable apparel, jewellery & accessories brands, right here on our immersive lifestyle platform.
We never compromise on style so we can guarantee the good stuff, no compromise.
Check out the links below to start your slow fashion journey:
It’s that time of year again; Plastic Free July is here, a global movement dedicated to raising awareness and tackling plastic pollution worldwide. This campaign has gained increasing popularity over the years, with an estimated 326 million participants taking part last year, even amidst a global pandemic. Our very own study conducted here at Veo demonstrated that over 60% of people consider reducing plastic waste as the most important cause to them. But why are people so passionate about plastic? It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish if significant changes are not made. Microplastics are destroying marine ecosystems at an alarming rate with traces also being found in the food we eat. It is clear that plastic pollution needs immediate action but it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. So we’re sharing some easy ways you can get involved in Plastic-Free July this month!
One of the first ways you can begin the journey to reducing your plastic waste is to review your current usage. Do you find yourself buying a bottle of water and packaged meal deal on your daily commute to work? Maybe you consistently forget to bring your own bags on your weekly trip to the supermarket? Most of us use plastic so much in our daily lives that the amount of waste produced often goes unnoticed. But the great news is that many of these uses can easily be swapped out for reusable alternatives. Instead of buying a bottle of water with your meal every day, invest in a reusable bottle that you can refill as many times as you like. Keep your shopping bags by the door, in your bag, or in the boot of your car to make them easier to access whenever you need them.
Once you’ve got an accurate idea of where your plastic waste is coming from, you can begin to find ways to reuse it. This is the perfect time to get resourceful and creative with upcycling. By turning your takeaway containers into food storage or using your empty water bottles for bath/cleaning refills, you can give your waste items new life, keeping them out of landfill for longer. To stock up on zero waste refill essentials, check out brands such as Milly & Sissy for natural bath & body formulas and Mix Clean Green for toxin-free cleaning products.
Try out a local zero waste store
Credit: Unicorn Grocery Manchester
Zero-waste shopping is becoming more common every day with independent retailers and even popular supermarkets launching refill stations within their stores. From cereals, pasta, and pet food to beauty supplies and cleaning refills, these stores are the perfect way to stock up on all your essentials without buying into additional plastic waste.
Get to know your recycling codes
Credit: Sigmund
A lot of times we think that doing our part towards reducing plastic waste is as simple as throwing it all in the recycling bin however this is not always as effective as we’d think. One thing that often gets overlooked is that different types of plastic cannot actually be recycled effectively or easily depending on the facilities available in a specific country or region. To know whether your plastic waste can be recycled or not, you’ll need to look at the resin codes. As a general rule, the lower the number, the easier it is to recycle. Plastics that are generally easier to recycle include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), used in water and drinks bottles, and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), used in milk cartons and shampoo bottles. One plastic that is far more difficult to recycle is Polystyrene (PS) which can often break down into small pieces and enter water systems, impacting marine wildlife who accidentally ingest the pieces as food. By deciphering between these plastics you can figure out what you can effectively recycle and what you should try to find a new use for.
So those are just a few easy ways you can start to tackle plastic waste within your daily life. Going plastic-free, like any zero-waste practice is all about progress and not perfection. By making a few small changes every day, we can all make a major difference to the future of plastic waste.If you liked this post, you’ll love our blog on How To Make Your Grocery Shop More Eco-Friendly!
Our bodies are naturally programmed to rest yet for many of us, a good night’s sleep can seem like a mythical concept. From longer working hours to a worldwide pandemic, it’s no wonder our sleep cycles are struggling to keep up. According to Formulate Health, almost 1 in 5 people in the UK have trouble falling asleep every single night, the impacts of which are seen in both our mental and physical health. But why do we even need sleep? While we sleep, our bodies are hard at work repairing and restoring our cells and systems in order to recover and heal from any damage and stress endured throughout the day. Without adequate time to recover, sleep deprivation can lead to memory issues, mood swings, weight gain, and weakened immunity among other issues. So what can we do to cultivate better sleep? In today’s blog post, we’re sharing some easy ways to invest in rest and create better sleep routines.
One thing that can majorly impact our ability to fall asleep and stay asleep is how comfortable we are. From room temperature to our choice of clothing and bedding; these factors can either aid or disrupt our sleep throughout the night. Our body temperature naturally drops at night in response to increased melatonin production as we prepare to sleep. This indicates that our bodies naturally sleep better in cooler temperatures. Breathable fabrics such as organic cotton make this cooling process easier making this a great fabric for pyjamas and bedding alike. Check out our top picks to help you sleep in ultimate comfort, below:
Fall into comfort in our luxuriously soft GOTS organic cotton pyjamas.
You’ll see our signature style in our feminine hand-painted print as we keep a level of luxury even while you’re at home.
Crafted for ultimate lounging and with all the little extras you need. Deep pockets on the trousers to hold all those bits and bobs and a functional tie on the top so you can style it how you like. There’s nothing we haven’t thought of so you can just sit back and enjoy bedtime with your family.
This is a high-end hotel quality duvet cover that is both fair trade, organic, ethically sourced and produced under fair working conditions.
Using a thick luxuriantly soft 100% organic cotton (GOTS certified) sateen – 300 thread count, this bed linen is a statement piece of the finest quality. Produced in Jaipur, India in fair trade conditions, where all staff are permanent with pensions and many benefits, in excellent working conditions. Eco-friendly, AZO-free, pigment dyes are used, with minimal environmental impact.
Comes with Oxford pillowcases, with classic mitered corners, in a beautiful package. Perfect for you or as a very special gift.
2. Set the scene
Another way we can prompt our bodies to prepare for sleep is by creating an environment that targets the senses, encouraging better sleep habits. Bright lights can prevent the production of melatonin, disrupting our circadian rhythm and keeping us awake for longer. There are also particular scents that have a calming effect on the body, encouraging us to relax and making us sleepy. Essential oils such as lavender, valerian root, roman chamomile, and cedarwood have sedative effects and can help to reduce anxiety and stress, promoting more restful sleep. Set the scene with some of our top picks below:
Relax and unwind in these beautiful handmade sleeping masks. Made from our off cuts of fabrics, padded with a soft cotton interfacing and lined with luxurious bamboo silk.
Our signature Ubiety candle fragrance has been carefully blended to transport you to serene woodlands. A soothing blend of essential oils including earthy cedarwood, fresh and floral ylang ylang, spearmint and sage, chosen to promote calm and relaxation.
3. Get to know your sleep supplements
One way we can promote better sleep from the inside is to prep our bodies for optimal function with natural supplements. Ashwagandha is an ancient Ayurvedic herb an adaptogen that is reported to have a number of positive health benefits including improved sleep. Studies have shown that it can help to reduce stress levels and may actually induce sleep due to a compound it contains called triethylene glycol. Magnesium aids in sleep by activating the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for helping the body relax. It also helps to regulate the levels of melatonin – the sleep hormone – within the body. CBD is another supplement that is said to effectively reduce anxiety as well as decreasing cortisol levels in the body which arise as a result of stress. These supplements have calming sedative effects which can be highly beneficial in getting better quality sleep. Upgrade your sleep quality with our top pick below:
These higher strength CALM 1000mg CBD Hemp Oil drops have been specially formulated with a calming blend of CBD, Mint, Chamomile and Ashwagandha to help you destress. Each bottle delivers twice the amount of CBD in the same conveniently sized 10ml bottle. CALM CBD Oil blends CBD with Vitamin B6 and B12. These vitamins support your psychological function; helping you calm your mind.*
So those are just a few easy ways to invest in rest and improve your night routine for better quality sleep. Check out our Sleep Edit for the full range of products designed to promote restful sleep and relaxation.
One of the UK’s most-watched and beloved shows in recent years is returning again this summer. That’s right, Love Island is back. Love it or hate it, the BAFTA-winning reality tv show has been a source of entertainment and discussion not only in the UK but across the world. If you’re feeling out of the loop and don’t know what it is, Love Island is a dating show where ‘sexy singles’ are sent off to a luxurious Spanish villa to ‘find love’. The show has garnered a cult-like following but has also resulted in what some are calling ‘The Love Island Effect’. This refers to the negative impact on self-esteem and body image that has increased as a result of watching the show. The ‘reality’ show is notoriously known for its lack of diversity in showing ‘real’ body types; a standard that contestants themselves struggle to maintain with many turning to intense diets and even cosmetic surgery to maintain the ‘perfect’ look. These carefully curated images we see on reality tv are a far stretch from true reality, yet the impacts continue to be felt in real life. Love Island has been criticised by the Mental Health Foundation after their research found that 24% of 18-24-year-olds relate reality tv to their struggles with body image.
Credit: Wes Nelson and Georgia Steel for Samsung, sponsors of Love Island
So what’s the solution? It’s pretty much impossible to avoid all ‘image-based media’ and many of us still welcome the escapism that a show like Love Island can provide. While we may not want to stop watching these shows altogether, mental health experts warn us to watch responsibly and not to fall into the trap of social comparison. Social comparison theory relates to our innate desire to form accurate self-evaluations through comparison with others. Unfortunately, the increased popularity of image-based media outlets such as Instagram and reality tv has made this desire incredibly difficult to avoid. So we spoke to Self Love Coach Gina Swire, to find out more about some ways we can practice self-love when moments of social comparison arise. Here’s what she had to say:
Credit: Gina Swire, Self Love Coach
“Watching a program like Love Island can trigger self-doubt, comparison and start a cycle of desperately trying to change our appearance out of subtle or not so subtle self-hatred.
A few suggestions to anchor in body positivity before the show starts:
1. Write a note and stick it on your bathroom mirror saying “everybody is different” “I am not my body” “I choose to live in a reality where I deserve love and so does my body”
2. Turn hate into gratitude, scan your body and say thank you to all the areas for everything it does for you. e.g. “Tummy – thank you for digesting all my food and tummy muscles that allow me to laugh.” Go through each area and turn it all to gratitude.
3. If you catch yourself comparing yourself please know that comparison is the thief of joy and you can’t compare yourself and love yourself at the same time. If you find yourself comparing stop what you are doing, jump up and down or shake that energy away, then choose a better more effective thought for you. e.g. “She looks like that and I look like this and we both deserve love.”
4. Anything you try to do out of fear or hate will require willpower. Anything you do out of pure love for your body and self will be in flow. Let the goal be to nourish your body in all the ways she wishes to be nourished, rather than punishing her to be like someone else and watch your body positively respond to you!“
With summer on its way, shows like Love Island and the pressure to get that ‘bikini body’ can make this time of year feel pretty overwhelming. But rather than focusing on having the ‘perfect’ body, we’re passionate about promoting health over everything. Self-love comes in many forms whether it’s fixing the way you talk to yourself or treating your body better. This summer, challenge yourself to ditch your desire for flat abs and the perfect ‘peach’. Instead focus on staying hydrated, nourishing yourself with healthy food and, getting some movement into your day for optimal physical and mental wellbeing.
Gina Swire’s book, PS – I Love You comes out in July 2021. You can also catch her later this year as part of our new event series, Detox Talks; a monthly community meetup where we come together to share ideas and hear perspectives on a range of hot topics affecting society today. From polluting oceans to toxic beauty standards, we’re on a mission to detox the world, one talk at a time. For more information on upcoming events, click the link here!
If you’ve been keeping up with our Easy Eco Swaps series, you would have seen us cover, food & drink, home & leisure and, health & beauty. Today’s post is all about fashion swaps, more specifically we’re sharing some great alternatives to some of the most unsustainable fabrics used in our clothing today. The fashion industry is the second largest polluting industry after the oil industry, producing 10% of world carbon emissions. With stats like this, it’s no wonder many people’s first point of learning about sustainability is through their fashion choices. As the impacts of fast fashion becoming increasingly well known it’s easy to feel like you need to replace your entire wardrobe in order to be sustainable however this can often be a wasteful solution. While we don’t recommend throwing all your old clothes out, these easy eco fabric swaps can help you make better choices the next time you’re in need of a wardrobe update.
Although cotton may seem like a harmless natural material, its impact on the environment is far from it. To yield just 1kg of conventional cotton, it can require up to 20,000 litres of water. Conventional cotton also utilises toxic fertilisers and pesticides which cause major harm to both humans and wildlife. So for an easy eco swap, seek out organic cotton. One of the things that make organic cotton better for the environment is its use of water. Water scarcity is identified by the World Economic Forum as being in the top 10 global risks to society. However organic cotton is grown in rain-fed areas and therefore relies on rainwater to grow cotton crops. Organic cotton also does not use any toxic pesticides meaning the soil remains healthy and waterways do not become polluted with hazardous waste. As a standard, all our apparel brands here at Veo utilise organic cotton – discover them here!
Conventional animal leather is a by-product of the commercial meat industry, an industry that is responsible for producing 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The tanning process that turns animal hides into leather also involves a high volume of toxic chemicals that pollute and disrupt our water systems. While faux leather was initially seen as an ethical alternative, this ‘easy eco swap’ is unfortunately not so ‘eco’ after all. Petroleum-based alternatives such as PVC and PU utilise fossil fuels which are both toxic to humans and harmful for the environment. They are also non-biodegradable making them extremely difficult to get rid of. However, a newer alternative, plant-based leathers, utilise green technologies to create leather materials derived from pineapple leaves, cactus plants, grape skins and more. Alternatives such as Piñatex and wine leather utilise waste from the food industry meaning they are renewable materials and don’t require additional environmental resources in their production. Discover amazing brands such as Bohema and ACBC that are actively utilising these plant leathers in their footwear!
Viscose and Lyocell (commercially known as Tencel) are two fabrics that are ‘cut from the same cloth’ but with very different outcomes. These materials both originate from the wood pulp of trees such as beech, pine, eucalyptus, and bamboo, however, what makes one more sustainable than the other lies primarily in the way these fabrics are manufactured. Viscose uses toxic solvents such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide in its production process; highly polluting substances that cause major health and environmental hazards. The increasing demand for viscose in the fashion industry has also resulted in mass deforestation of endangered forests. In comparison, Tencel requires far fewer resources in its production and utilises non-toxic solvents in a closed-loop system where almost no solvent waste ends up in our ecosystems. Additionally, Tencel only uses wood from sustainably managed forests making it the perfect eco swap for viscose garments.
Polyester is the world’s most commonly used fibre and unfortunately, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. This is because polyester is a form of plastic that is non-biodegradable meaning it will remain in landfill for many years to come. Polyester also uses disperse dyes that are insoluble in water making it difficult to treat and clean water waste that occurs from the dyeing process. Additionally, polyester is derived from fossil fuels, making it a byproduct of the oil industry – the most polluting industry in the world. As polyester cannot be disposed of, it might as well be reused. That’s where recycled polyester (rPET) comes in. This material is created by melting down existing plastic and re-spinning this into new polyester fibre. The positives of this are that this process stops existing plastic waste from going into landfill. and also reduces demand for the fossil fuel industry, minimising further negative environmental impact.
While many of these fabrics are still a work in progress and are not perfect substitutes, they are a great step in the right direction towards a more sustainable fashion industry. For fashion-forward brands that are sustainable and don’t compromise on style, discover our curated fashion collections here on Veo.
As the weather gets warmer and our days ever brighter, it’s finally beginning to feel like summer. While we look forward to picnics, garden parties, late sunsets, and romantic summer nights, we’re rounding up Team Veo’s top picks of the month featuring our favourite summer essentials. From chic espadrilles and nourishing body oils to Mediterranean-style dinners and refreshing home fragrance, this edit has everything you need to make the most of your summer.
Lev Apparelis designed to celebrate; worn to empower. This sage green Joce cami is a timeless design that will become a wardrobe favorite for years to come. Constructed with minimal vibes alongside feminine cloth-covered buttons and adjustable straps. Lightweight for warmer days as well as the perfect non-bunching layering piece.
Solanais committed to authenticity, sustainability, and quality craftsmanship. These Borneoespadrilles are their boldest design yet and can be dressed up or down for a stylish, statement look. The intricate embroidery is inspired by indigenous tattoo motifs, using several powerful symbols. At the center is a Bunga Terung, or rosette, representing valiance and courage, with the spiral symbolizing the circle of life. On the sides are scorpions, which were commonly tattooed on the warriors of Borneo for protection in battle.
Rozenbroek | Organic Cotton T-Shirt in Mustard – £50
Rozenbroekcelebrates design and durability with made-to-order pieces created with the conscious consumer in mind. This Organic Cotton T-Shirt in Mustardprovides a vibrant yet understated look that is perfect for welcoming in those brighter days.Grown, knitted & dyed in Turkey from organic bamboo yarns, this super-soft mustard tee features an open neck and straight side seams for a modern fit.
Conceived to keep close to what matters; Hemper Handmadecreates unique and stylish bags and accessories for all occasions using resistant and sustainable materials. This Jannu Combinada 90’s Waistbag is perfect for those summer days out, hand-sewn using plant-based dyed hemp with inner and back pockets that combine function with style.
Moral Fibre | Cosy Night In Hamper – Italian Style – £82
Moral Fibre’sItalian Style Cosy Night In Hamper is perfect for those romantic summer evenings. Enjoy an al dente pasta coated in fresh flavoursome tomato and basil with the heady, earthy flavours of truffle sauce. This meal comes complete with sweet Sicilian olives, Moral Fibre snacks, and a simple green salad drizzled with the finest olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a night to remember.
Corinne Taylor | Nourish Aromatherapy Body Oil – £25
Corinne Taylorbrings you natural, plant-basedaromatherapy products for bath, body, and home. Nourish Aromatherapy Body Oil contains a balancing, calming essential oil blend of Rose Geranium, Mandarin, Lavender & Patchouli, to bring in relaxation and comfort. Formulated with a blend of vitamin-rich, cold-pressed organic Hemp, Safflower & Jojoba oils, this lightweight body oil deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, leaving you feeling soft, silky, and glowing.
Ubiety offers unique plant-based body care and home fragrance products that are designed to help you stay grounded and present in the moment. Their uplifting Mandarin, Grapefruit & Cedar Reed Diffuser uses an energising blend of essential oils, expertly chosen to revive, brighten and uplift your mood and your space.
To discover more unique, independent sustainable brands head to veo.world to shop our curated collections.
A few days ago, environmentalist writer and content creator, Leah Thomas (@greengirlleah) posted a written piece on her Instagram entitled, ‘There Is No Such Thing As The Perfect Sustainability Activist’, and it got us thinking. In it, she discusses everything from the intersectionality of sustainable living to the ‘gentrification of thrifting’, a trend that has become increasingly popular within the slow fashion space. What really sparked our attention was the idea of accountability vs cancel culture when it comes to unsustainable brands. We’re all well aware of the ways in which brands deceive consumers with greenwashing tactics and shallow promises but if brands were genuinely trying to make changes, would we even know the difference? When brands like Boohoo come out with a ‘recycled’ collection or H&M with a ‘conscious’ line, we are often quick to call it out as a marketing stunt but should we be giving these brands more space to evolve? Does ‘canceling’ a brand have any real impact beyond social media hashtags and a few weeks of bad press or is there another way to hold brands accountable while still encouraging them to make positive change?
Credit: Leah Thomas | @greengirlleah
The case against cancel culture
The primary issue with cancel culture is that it closes off any opportunity for growth through healthy debate. In a world where our social feeds have become echo chambers of our own beliefs, it can be healthy to hear other perspectives once in a while, even if they do harshly differ from our own. Cancel culture promotes a habit of public shaming that leaves both individuals and brands afraid to ask questions, share their views or be wrong, making it incredibly difficult to take those first steps to a more sustainable future. If a brand does launch a sustainable line that is met with nothing but greenwashing accusations, low support, and low sales, it’s unlikely that the brand would invest more of its efforts into sustainable change. However, met with high praise and demand for more eco-friendly lines, any brand that intends to make a profit would be inclined to listen and change accordingly.
Credit: Retail Gazette | Boohoo ‘Ready For The Future’ collection
One of the main arguments in support of fast fashion, in particular, is the fact that it creates a sense of inclusivity, allowing those with a lower income to participate in trends and express their style. If those same consumers are also wanting to participate in sustainable living and cannot afford to buy from sustainable brands, a ‘conscious line’ from a fast-fashion brand might actually be a first step in the right direction.
We often consider voting with our wallets to mean only shopping from the brands who have already got it right but is there a version of this that extends to supporting the efforts of brands that are still a work in progress? Should there be?
The case for cancel culture
There are moments where cancel culture is necessary. Unfortunately, there are still a great number of brands that actively participate in greenwashing while conducting completely unethical practices behind the scenes. By praising these brands for doing the bare minimum, we run the risk of absolving them of guilt and leaving space for complacency. While there is indeed no such thing as the perfect sustainability activist, brands need to be held to a higher standard. From the BP oil spill to the Rana Plaza disaster, we’ve all witnessed the horrendous negative impact that just a handful of businesses can have on people and the planet. The companies involved in these scandals often have major funding and support behind them, meaning they have the power and therefore a responsibility to do better. When these brands actively choose not to, cancel culture can be an effective tool to push for change more aggressively. From this perspective, cancel culture is actually nothing new. It is merely just another form of protest that prioritises the good of many over the discomfort of the few. Protests have long been used to bring about effective reform, from the #MeToo movement to the worldwide George Floyd protests in lockdown last year. Canceling brands that are slow or opposed to making sustainable changes might just be the necessary collateral damage needed for long-term progress to be made.
While it is important to support the genuine efforts of brands trying to do better, it is also important to be discerning of businesses that could be doing more but choose not to. Deciding which brands to support can be complicated at times but that’s why Veo exists. We know that there are plenty of independent, sustainable brands out there proving that it is possible to be profitable while still having a positive impact. We’ve done our research so you don’t have to, making it easier than ever to support the brands that are doing good in the world.
Explore our curated collections in Fashion, Food, Beauty, and Home, and rest assured you’ll never have to compromise on your style, taste, or lifestyle.
This Friday (28th May 2021) is Menstrual Hygiene Day, a day dedicated to tackling the stigma and accessibility issues related to women’s menstrual health and experiences. So what better time than this to introduce our very first brand spotlight with The Un Company. Uncomplicated and uncompromising, The Un Company gives women the confidence to think differently about their periods. Using biocompatible antimicrobial silicone, their menstrual cups work harmoniously with your body to give you a clean, toxin-free cycle. With an estimated 200,000 tonnes of sanitary waste going to landfill in the UK each year, The Un Company assures you’ll have a more sustainable period that’s both good for your body and good for the environment. Alongside an amazing product, they also give back to the community, supporting charities such as Period Poverty UK who are dedicated to ensuring all women have access to the sanitary protection they need. Get to know more about this incredible brand, below!
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you started The Un Company
The journey of The Un Company happened organically.
We are passionate about building a business that inspires confidence in women and breaks down societal taboos that have no place in the progressive society we live.
As well as experiencing first-hand how women’s health and women’s health issues are often overlooked. This was further strengthened by our careers in venture capital, where we saw companies aimed at improving women’s lives were often overlooked and underfunded.
What’s the story behind your brand name?
This is one of the hardest things about starting a business! We knew that being focused on period care, we wanted to offer products that were convenient and unrefined. We were well versed in the fact that the quality of traditional period care products had been a point of contention, as well as the fact that the negative environmental effects of using traditional pads and tampons were becoming a hot topic.
With this in mind we knew that we wanted to be a business that was unlike what was currently in the market. One that didn’t compromise on health or our environmental and social values.
As we went further down that road we thought of all the things we didn’t want to be and how those values were so important to us that we wanted them clearly represented in our brand name:
Uncompromising
Uncomplicated
Unrefined
Unconventional
Unadulterated
We then settled on The Un Company – Uncompromising (on health, environmental and social values, Uncomplicated (bringing simplicity and convenience to your menstrual cycle) period care.
The thought process behind The Un Company was about normalising a taboo product set through developing a premium, approachable brand. Period care has historically been ‘out of sight out, out of mind’. Menstrual products have been shrouded in secrecy, passed between women in hushed tones in times of need, shoved in the shopping basket, and then hidden by hastily placed groceries. When it fully dawned on us that women’s health and convenience was being sacrificed at the altar of public acceptability we became passionate about building a business that breaks down these societal taboos. We hoped that in so doing so we could help women to find the products that are right for them and their bodies.
What are the benefits of using menstrual cups and what makes yours different?
91% of women that try a menstrual cup would recommend one to a friend. THAT’S HUGE. And why do women love them so much you may ask? Well, here are some of the top reasons:
Convenience – Your cup can capture far more than tampons or sanitary pads meaning you can fit it around your life! Cook with it, shop with it, play sports with it, swim with it, sleep with it and when it’s convenient for you to change it, change it.
Lower waste – An estimated 200,000 tonnes of sanitary waste ends up in landfill in the UK each year and this waste can take 500-800 years to decompose. Using a menstrual cup is one way to help you cut down the amount of single-use plastic waste you create.
Health – Products that absorb rather than collect can soak up the natural discharge that helps to keep your body in sync. They also often contain nasty chemicals and various carcinogens which can be absorbed by your body. Menstrual cups on the other hand work with your body’s rhythm and are free from chemicals and other nasties.
No embarrassing odor – with cups you don’t have to worry about the risk of embarrassing odors as the menstrual fluid is not exposed to the air like it is with tampons or pads keeping you smelling like roses all cycle long.
The Un Cup is one of the only cups on the market that is made from anti-microbial, medical-grade silicone. Its production processes, design, and materials have all been fully certified by the French health ministry as being to the standards of a medical device and is certified ISO 13485.
Generic or cheaper cups are often unregulated and manufactured in the Far East. As a result, the materials they are made from can become contaminated and contain traces of latex, phthalates, BPA and/or heavy metals. Over time these can be absorbed by your body and can cause swelling or irritation.
We’re an inherently eco-friendly business but we feel that saying that is now akin to saying we’re an internet business. All companies should be focused on reducing their impact on the world. Sustainability for us means building a maintainable status quo across our lives that results in leaving a world for our grandchildren that is the same or preferably better than then one we came into.
One of the key things for us when building our company was that our messaging is non-judgemental. There has been a lot of demonisation of traditional period care products and their negative environmental effects, and so we made the conscious decision to focus purely on positive marketing messages around the convenience of our product and its numerous strengths. Menstrual care is an intimate and personal experience, and we firmly believe that people should use the products that work best for them and their body.
In what ways does The Un Company support the planet & community?
As part of our mission to build a company that is Uncompromising in it’s social values and delivers on its pact with our customers, we have committed to donate 50p for every cup sold to charity.
We have decided to support two unbelievable charities. Firstly, Period Poverty, which ties directly to our industry. We’re fully cognisant of the fortunate position we are as founders and our customers are to be in a position to choose between a range of products. There are many women who suffer from a lack of access to period products and the precarious social positions this puts them in. Period Poverty UK helps these women. The second charity we will support is Hestia. Hestia provides support for those suffering from domestic abuse, modern slavery, and mental health issues. We believe that through better support of adults and parents in crisis we can prevent families from being forced into poverty and empower more women to build better lives for themselves and their children.
Tell us about the biggest challenge you’ve faced since starting The Un Company
The biggest challenge we faced was finding a manufacturer that had the same dedication to quality and health standards that we did. It would have been very easy to cut corners and order a far cheaper product but we knew that we would be sacrificing our whole brand mission. Ultimately it took us the best part of a year to source what we believe to be the best cup on the market.
What about your proudest moment?
I think people engaging with our branding, messaging, and of course our Un Cup. The majority of our customers have never tried a menstrual cup before. They’re curious but they have too many unanswered questions or haven’t found a company that they really resonate with and trust. And so being able to reach those people and have them trust us with their period care, it really feels like such an honour!
What advice would you give to someone looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
Small steps! It’s kinda like exercising, if you go too hard, too quickly you’ll burn out. Make gradual sustainable changes and build to a lifestyle you can maintain for the long term
What’s next for The Un Company?
We have SO many more products in mind. One of the things about the menstrual cup is that there can be a whole ecosystem of products that you can sell alongside it that continue to increase its convenience. We also know that cups aren’t for everyone and eventually would like to explore bringing the idea of premium menstrual care to other product catagories.
For uncompromising menstrual care that supports both people and the planet, shop The Un Company here!
When it comes to sustainability, the fashion industry needs to step up. With consumers increasingly calling for brands to reduce their environmental impact and adopt more ethical, transparent practices, many fashion companies are being faced with a conflict of interest between people, planet, and profit. There’s a major debate happening right now involving one material in particular: leather. According to search platform Lyst, searches for ‘vegan leather’ have increased by 69% year-on-year while searches for ‘faux leather’ have remained constant. Additionally, searches for leather have decreased by 3.5% year-on-year, demonstrating that consumer attitudes are shifting in favour of cruelty-free, eco-friendly alternatives. So consumers are seeking better options but why are fashion brands still lagging behind? Well, luxury leather goods are a huge source of revenue for many fashion houses, accounting for 48 billion USD (33.9bn GBP) of global revenue in 2019, a number that is predicted to increase by a further 16 billion USD (11.3bn GBP) by 2025 (Statista, 2020). According to Vogue Business, supporters of the leather industry claim that leather is in fact sustainable as it is a natural, biodegradable material that utilises waste from the meat production industry.
Despite this being technically true, many people believe this argument is missing the point. Commercial cattle farming is a notorious contributor to the negative environmental impacts of consumption, producing 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The tanning process that turns animal hides into what we know as leather also involves a significant number of toxic chemicals that find their way into our water systems. With such adverse effects on the environment, can the leather industry really claim to be sustainable? We think not. So what’s the alternative?
Faux leather was initially pitched as the more ethical alternative to real leather and it certainly has its positives. These materials use no animal byproducts which technically makes them vegan and cruelty-free. However, the most common types of faux leather are actually made from petroleum-based plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) which use fossil fuels and release harmful toxins into the environment. PVC-based materials have become far less common in recent years due to their toxic impact and positive advances have also been made towards improving the production process of PU to make it less toxic (water-based polyurethane dispersion). However, these materials are still non-biodegradable, contributing to global plastic waste. So while faux leathers might be vegan-friendly, they certainly aren’t the eco-friendly alternative we need.
Enter plant-based leathers. Could this be fashion’s answer to the ongoing leather debate? Sustainable brands such as ACBC and Bohema certainly think so! These brands are making waves with their use of leathers derived from plants and bio-waste. From pineapple leaves and mushrooms to cactus plants and grape skins, here are some of the innovative, new alternatives that are changing the future of fashion.
1. Piñatex
Credit: Ananas Anam, the makers of Piñatex®
Piñatex is made using the cellulose fibres of pineapple waste leaves. The pineapple industry produces 40,000 tonnes of pineapple waste every year which would typically be burned or left to rot. With this waste being a byproduct of an existing crop industry, it requires no additional land, water or fertiliser to produce. It also contains none of the harmful toxins of both real and traditional faux leathers.
Cactus leather is another plant-based alternative that has a huge positive impact on the environment. The cactus plant naturally absorbs a high volume of CO2 and can also help to regenerate soil in degraded areas due to its resilient nature. The process of creating cactus leather only uses the mature leaves without damaging the whole plant, allowing for repeat harvest from the same crops, without requiring additional land or environmental resources.
Wine leather is made using pomace: waste comprised of the skin, seeds, and stalks of grape clusters recovered from the winemaking industry. With 26.3 billion litres of wine produced in 2019 alone, this process has the ability to produce an extremely high yield of material with low environmental impact, low production costs and no polluting substances. Wine leather also comes from a renewable source and does not require additional resources to be produced.
While these materials have a far more positive impact on the environment and promise a more sustainable future for leather, it is worth noting that many of these materials are still a work in progress. Many plant-based alternatives are still combined with PU or petroleum-based resins in order to resemble leather, and most are still not fully recyclable or biodegradable yet.
So to answer the question of whether leather can ever be sustainable, the answer is complicated. However,we can all take steps to make better fashion choices and reduce the impact of our consumption habits. For fashion brands that prioritise ethical, cruelty-free, and sustainable practices, explore our curated collections right here on Veo.
If you’ve never tried meditation, you might think of it as a practice reserved only for spiritual yogis, hippies, and monks but that is no longer the case! With our lifestyles busier than ever, more and more people are turning to meditation as a way to unwind and relieve stress. Research shows that meditation is actually the most popular form of wellbeing therapy in the UK with 26% of Brits using it to improve their mental health. The benefits of meditation include reduced anxiety, better sleep, and improved mood to name a few. But while meditation seems like a great practice to incorporate into your day, sitting still in silence for half an hour every day simply isn’t practical or enjoyable for everyone. But the principles of meditation are actually a lot simpler than we think. Simply by becoming present in the moment and focusing on the breath, you can incorporate meditation into your everyday tasks with minimal effort. So in honour of World Meditation Day (21st May 2021), we’re sharing some of our favourite and most creative ways to meditate, below!
Start your day with intention by taking the time out for a tea meditation. This form of meditation is incredibly easy and simply requires you to focus on the process of making yourself a heartwarming brew. Pay attention to the details, from the sound of the water boiling to the feeling of steam on your face as you hold your cup. Focus on breathing deeply as you sip, to truly feel a sense of calm. In order to make this moment even more mindful, choose teas that boost your mood and offer great benefits to your health including calming chamomile and green tea. Click here to explore our range of loose leaf teas and biodegradable teabags available in a variety of blends and flavours.
Another great way to incorporate mindfulness into the start of your day is with a shower meditation. Also known as waterfall meditation, this practice uses water as a mechanism for washing away any tension, stress, or anxiety within the body. Breathe in deeply and pay attention to the sound of the rushing water. Focus your awareness on the feeling of each droplet hitting your skin. You can enhance the experience by choosing shower cremes and lotions that soothe the skin with essential oils which are known to promote a sense of calm such as Peppermint and Lavender. Click here to discover our lush and luxurious bath & shower selection.
If you’re someone that finds it hard to sit still and concentrate, movement meditation might be exactly what you need. The mind-boosting benefits of exercise are well known but mindful movement takes it one step further. This is one activity where focus on the breath is essential. Work on controlling your breathing through each movement and practice paying attention to the way each muscle flexes and contracts in the process. Whether you enjoy yoga, lifting weights in the gym, or simply taking a walk in the park, you can find a way to make your next workout more mindful and therapeutic. Discover our selection of lightweight and breathable women’s and men’s activewear that is perfect, whatever your exercise style.
We know it might sound strange but yes, cleaning your home can also be a great way to meditate! It involves a process of simple, methodical tasks that can help you get into a state of flow and gentle concentration. Rather than letting your mind race thinking about all the other things you need to do with your day, take time to feel present and focus on what’s right in front of you. Enjoy the warmth of the water as you wash the dishes or the motion of wiping down your surfaces. What’s great about using toxin-free cleaning products is that you can focus on breathing in deeply as you clean, without fear of inhaling harmful chemicals in the process.
Those are four effective and creative ways to incorporate meditation into your daily routine that don’t involve sitting still. If you enjoyed reading this, you’ll love our blog post on 6 daily habits to improve your mental health.
