Have a capsule wardrobe
I have a mark, so I’m very lucky, and it’s a lasting mark. But honestly, these days I’m a minimal freak. I have a very basic basic wardrobe – and it makes my life easier; it’s one less decision to make. Once upon a time I would order [multiple pieces] of Mother Of Pearl but now I will choose one item per season.
On permanent purchases
With sustainability, whether it’s clothing, interiors, or jewelry, it’s all about whether you’re going to care for it, cherish it, and keep it. I feel like with interiors and most jewelry, people don’t think about it in the same way as fashion – it’s a long-term purchase; a purchase forever. We recently did a collaboration with Monica Vinader – she uses recycled gold, and she’s really passionate about supply chains and also working on circularity.
On children’s clothing and toys
I would say 90% of my daughter’s clothes are second-hand – you can find amazing second-hand clothes for kids because they don’t wear them very long. With his toys, I’m very careful what I buy him – open-ended toys [that they can carry on playing with] are what children really need. Buying durable toys isn’t easy, but it helps to think about what you’re buying. Although it’s plastic, you’re not just throwing Lego in the trash [when your child has finished with it] – the nice thing about parenthood is that everyone does without toys.
On buying organic food
Food is really important. I shop with Riverford, an organic farm in Devon – their company has a very similar philosophy to Mother Of Pearl. The founder Guy [Singh-Watson] has made the company a cooperative and thinks of everything: not only do we grow these carrots organically, but if we import, how do we reduce the carbon footprint? They did this avocado project and said for those months that we just couldn’t get them; they are too harmful [to the planet].
Travel with intention
I think traveling at all is not sustainable. But there’s also a life to lead, so I think less is more. I’m absolutely desperate for the first time in my life for a vacation – it’s been three or four years since I’ve been somewhere and you feel like it somehow. If you travel, could you give them trips of a lifetime, rather than short weekend trips around town? I guess that’s the only real way to look at it.
On the switch to renewable energy
One of the things I thought I could do fairly quickly and easily was switch energy providers, because we know we have a fossil fuel crisis. So now we’re with Ecotricity, which is [one of] the most sustainable energy providers [in the UK]although it is not the cheapest.
On the change of bank
One that is on my to-do list is to switch banks. Most of these large corporations and banks are investing in fossil fuels and [the arms industry]. Who you invest your money with is so important.
On the way to sustainable development
I think it’s good to set goals, and say to yourself this month or this year I’m going to focus on my diet, then next month or next year I’m going to focus on my packaging . Don’t blame yourself too much. It is better to take it little by little.