WHAT REALLY GOES INTO A PRODUCT
Looking to get eco-friendly, organic, sustainable and locally-produced products for your baby? Stop by at the store of homegrown brand, Eggs & Soldiers. “In my experience, parents largely want to use the most ethical and chemical-free items for their children, but not everyone has the time to research and shop around for those things. That’s where we step in,” shares Sofi Chabowski, mother of four and the entrepreneur behind the brand.
“Our customers often ask for organic and natural fabrics — which is great. But, if we ask them why they want organic, they often don’t know why that is a ‘better’ choice. The world, in general, is becoming much more environmentally aware, and the UAE particularly has a green drive throughout so many areas. However, I’d say there is a lot more than can be done in terms of education,” she adds.
“Leather is 100% biodegradable, and since we use vegetable-tanned leather, the sandals do not release any toxins onto the skin or environment. The lifespan of the sandals can be as long as you want it to be — as the genuine leather sole can be taken to your cobbler to resole at any time,” says Anastasia Gerali, Alasia Lifestyle.
“When we launched the store, we wanted to create a place where people could shop for beauty products that were not only natural, but also effective, ethical and sustainable,” says Vila Vasoodaven, founder, Green Chic, an online store that provides a curated selection of natural and organic beauty products in the UAE.
So, what brands are on board at the moment? “The brands that support sustainable practices in the packaging, sourcing of ingredients, and sometimes, even in the production process. All of them use recycled, recyclable and even plant ink in their packaging. This includes materials such as PET plastic, glass, paper and aluminium. They work with local and regional producers and organic farmers where possible or incorporate quite a bit of organic ingredients within their products. Ilia Beauty, for example, sources their ingredients from organic farmers and the ingredients are manufactured in an organic-certified lab,” says Vila.