Small actions lead to bigger change.
Fashion is the second biggest polluter after oil; it not only has a lot of destructive waste, there is a lot of excess travel involved in creating pieces and often an unethical approach to labour with unfair pay and horrible working conditions.
SOUL emerged from a connection and desire to work with African artisans; collaborating together to create designs that uplift the people who are making them. It is important to us to build relationships with everyone who is involved in making our pieces so that everyone benefits from the process - we have a saying, ‘we grow, you grow; you grow, we grow’ - it’s a constant creative conversation between SOUL and who we work with. The creativity becomes a language.
All our designs incorporate existing materials and traditional processes from the way we make our jewellery to the fabrics we buy for our homeware pieces.
We are always looking at small ways we can be more ethical as our business grows…. Let’s all start 2024 by being a little more ethical xx
Jewellery + Brass Tableware:
- Made from recycled brass
- Each purchase supports small scale African creative entrepreneurs who we work with on the making of our designs.
- We are still working with Fred and the same team of Kenyan brass-smiths for over 14 years!
- We work with predominantly African handmade beads
- Made using traditional jewellery techniques and no large machinery
- Transported from our makers to our main workshop in Cape Town by road not air.
- Made by human hands
Cushions:
- Made with traditional fabrics we buy from artisans in Africa
- All fabrics are natural (no synthetic fibers)
- Handmade into cushions by Elizabeth, a local Cape Town creative entrepreneur
Basketware:
- Our baskets are all made with 100% natural sisal that is handwoven.
- Supports a traditional craft and allows women to weave from their homes.
Packaging:
- All our packaging is plastic free
- We make fabric gift purses using Kenyan cotton fabrics that are sewn into purses by Elizabeth
The people we work with:
- We have a commission based structure on top of our wages to enable everyone in our Cape Town team (regardless of their position) to benefit from our shop sales.
- We have an ongoing health programme for our Cape Town team and provide two healthy meals a day for our staff
Clothing:
As we move towards more ethical and eco-conscious choices, we feel it is important for our clothing range to use natural and sustainable fabrics. We have chosen to work with 100% linen for several reasons:
- linen is a natural fabric made from the flax plant. The flax plant requires very little water to grow, especially when compared to cotton, leaving more of this vital resource to the planet;
- flax plants are naturally pesticide resistant, so they don’t require the level of pesticides needed for cotton production;
- linen is naturally biodegradable and therefore will return to the earth at the end of its life, which is so important when you consider the impact of the fashion industry on landfill;
- linen is a highly durable fabric, so clothing made from linen will last a lifetime - it actually becomes softer and more comfortable with each wear;
- Linen is a breathable fabric, so a perfect fabric to keep you cool in the hot African climate;
In line with our more ethical approach to fashion, we fully believe in buying quality over quantity. Our garments are well made by people who are paid a fair wage, and are produced in small quantities so as to ensure no waste. We believe that putting more thought into each piece of clothing bought, and paying a little more for higher quality that will last longer, is the future of fashion.
Cleaning:
Obviously we love brass - our jewellery and homeware pieces are 100% solid recycled brass, which take on a natural patina as it ages. If you prefer your brass to be as shiny as it was when you bought it, the really good news is that brass can be cleaned responsibly with lemon juice - a natural ingredient that is safe for our planet. Lemon juice is high in citric acid, and one of the best natural cleaners - just use straight lemon juice on your brass, wipe it down with a damp cloth and buff it dry.
