Colourful, creative, kind; our sustainable journey.
Written by Cairi Bates
Guest Writer - The Colourful Edit
Here at The Colourful Edit, we know that sustainability is a journey. It’s about being mindful, doing our research, and making informed choices in all aspects of our business. When most of us think about what it means to be sustainable, our immediate thought will be about product; how they are made, what they are made of and by who. This is of course a big part of it, however there are other ways that we champion it here at TCE HQ, ways we think might surprise you. So, without further ado, here are our four ways in which we champion sustainable choices:
The Sustainable Stylist:
Lauren uses her expertise in colour to create pieces that will compliment your personal and seasonal colour palette (proud autumn here, thanks Lauren!). Fast fashion encourages us to by what they deem to be on trend and of the minute, with those trend timeframes becoming shorter all the time. This encourages a throw away culture, something Lauren would love us all to do less of. Her ethos has never been about emptying out her clients closets and replacing everything, on the contrary, she is a great believer in helping you rediscover your own hidden wardrobe gems. The press often comments on Kate Middleton’s recycling of outfits as if wearing an item of clothing more than once is a monumental achievement. We here at TCE just call that smart. If you steer clear of the fast fashion ethos and concentrate on wearing what makes you as an individual shine, then that’s a win both for your pocket, and the planet.
When it does come to helping her client’s shop, Lauren encourages the slow fashion approach. Think small brands and shopping second hand, in turn what you get is better quality products and materials. Small brands will inevitably mean they have been carefully handmade by either a single maker, or a small local team, while second hand gives you the chance to perhaps rehome something magical. Personally, I think there’s something quite special about buying second hand and imagining the life that item had before.
Local Makers:
The creative industry is practically sewn into the fabric of the Borders, there is a long and rich history of makers, inventors, and creators here, so naturally, TCE products are made where it all started, by a lovely local team who create each beautiful accessory by hand. Quality is at the very heart of it all, with each piece being created to a pattern standard. Afterall, our beautiful customers deserve equally beautiful pieces, so there’s no rushing out a hundred necklaces an hour here!
Recycled Materials:
Did you know the yarn used to make that beautiful necklace, or pair of earrings you’re wearing is made from recycled fabric? Pretty amazing right? The textiles, instead of being sent to landfill or burned, have been repurposed to be used again as a lovely chunky yarn. We all think that’s pretty fantastic! Lauren takes great care to carefully plan her collections for Spring and Autumn, with the mindset to order only what she needs. Any off cuts are given to local community projects, so nothing goes to waste. Do you remember our fantastic mini creatives campaign? It’s a great example of how the so called ‘waste’ yarn can be put to good use.
Recycled Packaging:
Making a purchase from us is very much about the whole experience, packaging then, is every bit as important as the product. Most of ou packing materials have been locally sourced, which is an important part of keeping your footprint small. Equally, it means we are supporting the local economy, and fellow business owners, something Lauren is particularly passionate about and seeks to do as often as she can. But what about the pretty tissue paper your purchase is wrapped in? Fear not, it too is recycled, and bought in bulk annually from a lovely supplier in New Zealand.
I hope this gives you a little peek into what we are doing here at TCE to be as mindful and sustainable as we can as a brand. As you can see, it’s not just about the product, but is a multi-faceted, carefully considered mindset that is at the very heart of what we do. It’s about keeping our footprint small, looking after local, and helping everybody change how we think about clothing and shopping, while still offering you beautiful products and services to make you smile.
Written by Cairi Bates
Guest Writer - The Colourful Edit
