Italian luxury fashion house Gucci drops a range of sneakers crafted from its proprietary eco-friendly and vegan material Demetra . Demetra, named in homage to Greek agricultural goddess Demeter, is composed of "77 percent plant-based raw materials" including bio-based polyurethane from corn and wheat, viscose, and sustainably sourced wood compounds. Produced in Italy, it took Gucci two years of research and development to perfect the Demetra textile and the company has filed for its patents and trademarks. For now, Gucci will be using Demetra to craft their own in-house products, however by 2022 the company plans to open access to Demetra to the fashion industry. The 'Basket', 'Rhyton', and 'New Ace' are Gucci’s first shoes to be partially crafted from Demetra, demonstrating the textile’s leather-like properties. Unfortunately, Gucci has not disclosed a complete list of materials used in these sneakers on their website, so it's hard to say if a
Most people think cotton is a very sustainable fabric, and I can see why. Cotton is a natural fiber that is breathable, renewable and biodegradable. Old cotton can also be easily recycled to make new yarn and fabric. It has been used for centuries, is one of the most widely used fabrics and also a widely traded commodity on the global markets. It has become an inevitable part of our lives. No wonder it is often referred to as the "fabric of our lives". Sorry to break your heart, but cotton is not as clean as we all believe. While cotton is a natural and biodegradable material, the problem is with how it is grown. Conventional cotton production methods are environmentally unsustainable.
The world is generating more and more rubbish every day, and we do not know what to do with all that waste. The throw-away culture that has seeped in every part of the world has resulted in the exponential growth of landfills, and that is dangerous. Landfills are one of the causes of climate change as they generate and release biogas into the atmosphere. Plus, many of the items that are thrown away contain toxic substances. Over time, these toxins leach into our soil and groundwater and become environmental hazards for years. Fortunately, a lot of companies and individuals are trying to find a solution to the waste problem. This has resulted in a movement that looks to craft beautiful and functional products from discarded waste. From sneakers to incense sticks, here are 3 Indian companies that are turning trash into really cool products. 1. Phool Offering flowers in temples is a popular practice in India among worshippers. The problem is heaps of these flowers, approximately 8 mil
Sustainable Living Is Not About Perfection: My Imperfect Sustainable Style
Sustainability has become a hot topic everywhere. A surfeit of brands that are calling themselves sustainable or eco-friendly have recently flooded the market, behemoths like Unilever, Zara, H&M, are launching sustainable products and collections. Magazines, newspapers, and digital publications are all about tips and tricks to incorporate sustainability into your lifestyle. Whether it is switching to a zero-waste shampoo barm choosing a bamboo toothbrush, buying sneakers made from recycled plastic waste, or using reusable bags for your grocery shopping, there are plenty of products and ideas to inspire you to make conscious chocies. This is great news, and I believe we are living in exciting times because finally people are accepting the impact of climate change and are aware of the consequences of their choices. But at the same time, so much information can be overwhelming for some. Plus, there is a lot of pressure to be perfect. As a consequence, many people end up not doing an
Too Many Clothes & Nothing To Wear? Time to Inculcate Sustainable Fashion Habits
Too many clothes and nothing to wear? This is a battle fought by most of us nearly every day of our lives. The compelling habit of shopping is too hard to resist. Easy access to cheap clothing {fast fashion}, coupled with irresistible deals (think discount codes, free shipping with free returns) makes things worse. The temptation even leads us into buying things we don't need. Result? Our wardrobes are bursting with clothes, expensive real estate is wasted on cheap fashion items, we have piles of things with the tags still on..... and a planet that's suffering. The abundance of fast fashion has created an environmental and social justice crisis. We have a serious problem of rising landfills due to textile waste (where do you think all your clothes go when you discard them?), unavailability of clean water and clean air, and rising pollution. Of course, there are other issues. Fast fashion = low quality, cheap clothing, but someone is paying the cost for us. Yes, I mean t
Emily in Paris - Financially Reckless and Disaster When it Comes to Sustainability
Have you watched the TV Show Emily in Paris? Not only did I find Emily in Paris clichéd and uninspired (and the style of the main character tacky most of the times), the show was also very unrealistic financially and a disaster when it comes to sustainability… The show practically teaches you that being financially reckless is glamorous. A novice social media strategist wearing new {designer} outfits and bags every day make no sense at all – financially or practically. Her spending and lifestyle habits set a wrong example, especially for the young viewers, when it comes to sustainability and managing your money. She’s driving around in taxis in an expensive city like Paris instead of taking public transport (a common practice by people in her salary bracket). And all those fancy restaurants she’s spotted dining in. Dah….! I know, I know. Emily in Paris is not about sustainability or money. But just because it's not, doesn’t mean the show writers can’t be creative with beli
6 dessert-makers that are sweetening up the festive season the vegan way | Vegan Dubai Dessert Edition
If you ask me, the absolute best gifts are edible (wink wink)! Given the situation, if you can’t meet your loved ones this Diwali, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than by sending over a box of vegan desserts. I barely know anyone who could say no to a box of cupcakes sprinkled and frosted to perfection or, better yet, freshly made donuts slathered with custard and cream. So, unless you have a bunch of diabetics on your holiday-gift lists, the fresh-made vegan treat idea is a good one. Even more better, if you are craving some sugary treats during this festive season, spare the milk and get your hands on some truly delicious vegan desserts. They're guilt-free, cruelty-free, and finger-licking good and you won't be short of choices at all. From the online pros and specialty bakers to the best dessert shops in town, here I have listed the 6 best vegan desserts in Dubai to gift this festive season. il Donaccino Diwali Special Vegan Donut Box It's been a bit o
I have to admit, I am a sucker for sunglasses. Sunglasses are one of the most versatile accessories - we all have them and love them. I am guilty of having over a dozen pairs, some from before I started my sustainable journey and a few after. A good pair of sunnies can totally change the vibe of an outfit instantly upgrading it from drab to fab. Wouldn't you agree? It's a well-known fact that vast areas in our oceans are literally filling up with plastic. Everything we buy is either wrapped in plastic or made from plastic or actually both. Sunglasses are no exception. I've been vocal about the plastic problem in our wardrobes . However, most of that conversation has always been about the clothes. Have you ever thought about what are your eyewear made of and what are they packaged in? Yup, you guessed it right. The answer is plastic. Most of the eyewear in the market, even from luxury brands, are crafted from plastic and materials that harm the environment. These materi