Why to buy: KIPLI is a French-Italian green brand of natural interiors. KIPLI aims to bring nature into our bedrooms with sustainable bedding replacing synthetic living environments and chemical substances. It all began with the brand’s core product, the Kipli mattress, which consists of a core of 100% natural latex and a cover of organic cotton. It is the perfect alternative to synthetic products on the market.
“90% of mattresses sold in Europe are made from polyurethane, a petroleum and petrochemical derivative,” says co-founder Davide. “At the end of their lives, mattresses become hazardous waste and are usually buried or incinerated.” The core of the KIPLI mattress is biodegradable, tested for harmful substances, and it offers maximum sleeping comfort. In the meantime, the brand’s product range has been expanded to include a pillow, a mattress protector, a baby mattress and the KIPLI bed. All products are manufactured with respect for people and the environment, and sold at a reasonable price.
What we love: In order to counteract the general disposable trend in the bedding market, KIPLI offers sustainable products that are good for both ourselves and our environment. In 2017, KIPLI was founded by Antoine Loredo and Davide Ballotta. Their motivation: to get rid of home pollutants with sustainable and natural furnishings. With this in mind, the duo designed the KIPLI mattress—a comfortable and durable natural mattress which is sold on their online store. Co-founder Davide inherited the knowledge about the production of natural latex mattresses from his uncle Mario. With his 20 years of experience in working with natural latex, he accompanied the development of the KIPLI mattress, which is manufactured in Northern Italy. The brand places great importance in fair wages for their workers. All products are manufactured according to high ethical and environmental standards. In addition, KIPLI products are certified by well-known quality seals such as GOTS, euroLATEX and Oeko-Tex, which bespeak the quality and sustainability of the materials used. Likewise, the company collaborates with various organisations such as Boom Forest and Sea Shepherd and is actively engaged in environmental protection.
Price: 59 € - 1,490 € / $70 USD - $1735,50 USD | Shop it now: KIPLI
Why to buy: Since 1986, BOTTA has been standing for exceptional but consistently logical watch concepts. Especially the intuitive and decelerating one-hand concept is in the focus here. It sets a clear countertrend to increasing complication in our fast-moving times.
BOTTA does not see sustainability as an attached label, but as an inherent value. All watches are characterized by both technical and design longevity. BOTTA does not undergo any fashion-related aging. Even after 35 years, the models from the year of the company's foundation still look as fresh as when they were conceptualized. This fact is substantiated by 65 international design awards. The watch straps are manufactured exclusively in Germany and Austria. In addition to the calf and saddle leather, certified organic leather is available. There are vegan alternatives made of natural rubber and stainless steel.
All watches are handmade in Germany powered by Swiss-made Ronda quartz and ETA automatic movements. Thereby, innovative materials like the self-developed anti-allergenic Tri-Titanium are used.
What we love: The UNO by BOTTA is a statement for a relaxed approach to time. Thanks to the one-hand principle and reduction to the essentials, time can be read intuitively and fast. We have got used to the complicated—and forgotten the simple. Instead of exhausting time to the last second and planning it out thoroughly, the UNO gives back a huge amount of serenity and supports the conscious perception of time. Nevertheless, the practical 5-minute subdivision ensures that time is always in view.
Since its conception in 1986, the UNO has become a design icon. The UNO Anniversary watch is a special edition featuring shiny milled appliqués and a high-gloss polished hand. The watch is available in white or black. A certain number and engraving are possible upon request, making it perfect as a personal gift for your beloved ones. The automatic version, limited to 100 pieces, measures 44 mm. The quartz versions measure in 40 and 44 mm.
Price: from 485 € (Quartz) / 1,638 € (Automatic) | Shop it now: BOTTA
Why to buy: Launched by German studio LOOK LABS, Cyber EDP (Eau de Parfum) is the first unisex fragrance with an illuminated label, embedded printed electronics and a strong focus on sustainability. The product combines German state-of-the-art technology with centuries-old perfume making traditions from Grasse, France.
What we love: CYBER is the essence of a futuristic urban living, an ever-changing, vibrant and cutting-edge environment. It represents the beginning of a revolutionary new trend of how we will interact with our products. “CYBER was inspired from sci-fi movies and a world in which technology, AI and advanced scientific innovations are integrated parts of our daily lives,” says Jordan Katzarov, founder of LOOK LABS.
The scent awakens the reality of a zestful, active lifestyle and the perpetual motion of the city life. Woody notes of cedarwood and sandalwood associated with intense lemon and fresh tangerine evoke the fever of a spirited city atmosphere. At its heart it has top signature notes that reminisce of the lilies of the valley in Grasse, France.
“It was a challenging journey to create a fragrance that combines gender-less, metallic, retro, and futuristic elements all in one. We designed an astonishing product, both in terms of quality and components. We wanted our customers to completely rediscover the perfume experience with CYBER.”
Price: Pre-order at 192 € / $225 USD / 175 £ | Shop it now: LOOK LABS
Why to buy: SHASH is an ethically-made and sustainable brand based in Madrid. Their collections know no seasons as SHASH are timeless pieces that can be worn year-round and for many years to come. The high-quality pieces are handmade in a responsible production in Spain using Oeko-Tex® certified fabrics.
Everything—from growing textile fibres to make the fabric, dyeing, manufacturing, packaging, to even recycling the clothes—is sustainably-made. Their designs are a combination of clean, simple silhouettes and impeccable, yet comfortable materials. SHASH reminds us that less is more, and that we can always choose ethically made, high-quality pieces that we’ll love for a long time.
What we love: SHASH creates unique pieces using art, movement and nature as inspiration. Timeless simplicity, minimalism and right materials are explored with every garment, intended to achieve authenticity and freedom. From designs inspired by the beauty of the natural and artistic world to sustainable commitment in sourcing and manufacturing, the SHASH creations are where it all merges, binds and becomes one.
With mostly classical lines, effortless elegance and various art-infused pieces—perfect for all occasions—SHASH embodies a distinctive style for everyone who wants to express their authentic self.
Price: 110 € - 435 € | Shop it now: SHASH
Why to buy: Two Berlin-based companies MATTER | Indie Skincare & Self-Care platform, and NYRA DESIGN | modern Everyday Accessories, have come up with something very special for the upcoming Christmas season. It is a premiere for everyone: a sustainable and well thought-out self-care advent calendar. The 24 pre-Christmas days are to be consciously used for a time-out to do something good for oneself. Because self-care is more important this year than ever before.
Divided into 4 embroidered cotton bags by NYRA DESIGN, sewn by hand in Berlin and reusable in many ways as beauty bags, when shopping, at home or travelling, there are 24 curated European Clean Beauty products from the online store assortment of MATTER. Predominantly vegan (20 out of 24) and completely Cruelty Free, for the entire self-care ritual is something!
The formula: 2 strong women, 4 reusable Advent week bags, 24 effective natural cosmetic gifts and endless love! And that is not all that is behind this Advent calendar cooperation of MATTER x NYRA.
What we love: The two founders, Olga Zilinska (MATTER) and Vichy Ly (Nyra Design), share the same vision: awareness of all resources, processes and content; transparency in communication and the highest standards of quality and customer experience. Both philosophies complement each other perfectly: MATTER stands for innovative and naturally efficient Indie Skincare and Self-Care for modern, environmentally conscious people and NYRA DESIGN combines modern techniques with timeless aesthetics and craftsmanship passed down through generations. So the two have taken up a challenge and created this unique Advent Calendar 2020, with which you will have a lot of fun before, during and after the Advent season.
Price: 99.00 € (limited—value 295.00 €) | Shop it now: MATTER x NYRA DESIGN
Why to buy: LITTLE DANUBE was founded in 2020, during lockdown by Katrina Borissova. LITTLE DANUBE is a modern, vegan beauty brand. Using only natural ingredients and imagination, they produce pure sustainable skincare products that recreate sweet nostalgic moments, keeping your skin clean and nourished.
The natural soap bars are a 100% vegan, fragrance, and cruelty free. The designs have a unique and exciting signature look that reflects the strength and passion of the LITTLE DANUBE woman with unique aesthetics that make self-care a unique experience. LITTLE DANUBE’s mission is to redefine the beauty standards and industry by providing plastic free products that are delivered to your door in compostable and biodegradable mailer and packaging.
What we love: LITTLE DANUBE soaps are about Katrina’s journey: from the east to the west of Europe; each soap bar carries a beautiful scent that resonates with a memory and a place. Their famous tagline of “cherishing beauty through senses” is a quest in search of lost time, found again with the senses of the beauty products. These allegoric scents that transcend towards a past that is soft and distant. There is something very cathartic about these soaps, the activation of our senses that taps into memories that are revived again, the shapes that becomes a performance and connection between body and mind.
The geometric shape of the soap removes the autopilot mode, we stop for a moment to self-care and enjoy the experience. It’s not a beauty object with a purpose or aim, but an experience, a subliminal relation to nature—it’s the new surrealism in beauty.
Price: Bubble Soap 9 € / Soap Bar 6,5 € | Shop it now: LITTLE DANUBE