Latest news with #eco-conscious
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The $3 water so hydrating and refreshing you won't believe it's made with cacao fruit: 'Seriously the best drink EVER!'
Staying hydrated shouldn't be a chore. But given that a massive percentage of the population is dehydrated, it appears that it really is an issue. If drinking plain water is a challenge, there's a new way to hydrate that may intrigue you and your taste buds. And it happens to be light, tropical, and naturally sweet. Blue Stripes Cacao Water is sourced from the pulp of the cacao fruit (the very same fruit that eventually gives us chocolate). Blue Stripes Cacao Water Blue Stripes Cacao Water is refreshing, hydrating, and packed with electrolytes, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. It's naturally sweet and has no added sugar too! Try it out now for yourself. $3.19 Shop Now you may not think of chocolate as 'refreshing,' but that's because we've all been distracted by the candy bar version. Cacao fruit is actually a superfruit that is packed with antioxidants, electrolytes, and essential nutrients, and Blue Stripes is one of the few brands that uses the entire cacao pod to make its products — not just the beans. That amounts to big benefits for both you and the planet. Expect more flavor, more nutritional value, and less waste. Eco-conscious people, take note: As much as we love the chocolate industry, it wastes a whopping 70 percent of the cacao pod during actual chocolate production. Only the beans are used in that process. By comparison, Blue Stripes upcycles the whole thing, including the beans, the shell, and the fruit. Honestly, this is great for everyone and everything involved — you, the farmers, and the planet as a whole. From a nutritional perspective, the difference is like night and day. Consuming the entire cacao fruit means you'll get vital fiber, minerals, and vitamins that support your overall health. (Not that you need an excuse to treat yourself to Blue Stripes' delicious beverages and snacks!) So, what does the water taste like? Imagine something crisp and clean with just a bit of a tropical tang, kind of like a cooler sibling of coconut water. It's never syrupy and there is absolutely no added sugar. Only two ingredients make up Blue Stripes Cacao Water — triple-filtered water and organic cacao fruit puree. It packs a punch, delivering a naturally energizing vibe that feels great whether you're cooling down post-workout, guzzling during the work day, or sipping with a meal. And it's super affordable and comes in a variety of fruit-forward flavors, like mango, vanilla, passion fruit, and plain cacao, all of which are naturally delicious and capture cacao's lovely flavor profile. Some people even blend it into their smoothies for an added nutrient boost, which we highly recommend for the extra hydration and antioxidants! Blue Stripes was co-founded by Oded Brenner (yes, of Max Brenner chocolate fame) and Aviv Schwietzer with a goal of turning the chocolate industry on its head. By using the whole cacao fruit instead of tossing 70 percent of it away, the impact is huge and supports global sustainability efforts in an impressive way. If you're looking for a tasty new beverage that hydrates and nourishes, Blue Stripes Cacao Water could be exactly the wellness upgrade you need. Blue Stripes Vanilla Cacao Water Smooth and mellow, vanilla is the perfect just-sweet-enough yet still subtle flavor. The vanilla extract blends beautifully with the natural tang of the cacao fruit, yielding a crisp and refreshing treat that even feels a little bit indulgent (without the added sugar). All Cacao Waters contain nutrients, electrolytes, and antioxidants for the ultimate refresh. $3.19 Shop
Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Victoria Beckham has stolen Stella McCartney's fashion crown
When the Princess of Wales arrived at the industrial-chic surroundings of London's 180 Studios earlier this month to present a fashion design award to NEWGEN fashion designer Patrick McDowell, it felt rather like the passing of a baton. With the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design – which recognises British designers who are leading the way in sustainable practices and making a positive impact on the environment – the Princess was promoting the future of luxury eco-conscious fashion. And what did she choose to wear to mark the occasion? Tailoring by Victoria Beckham. Catherine's appearance in her chic olive two-piece must have been a kick in the teeth for Stella McCartney, daughter of Sir Paul and the late Linda, whose label has been a bastion of not only British sustainable fashion but also a stalwart of Savile Row-style tailoring since the brand's inception in 2001. 'I'm sure it didn't go down well… That's a space that Stella really felt she owned,' says one source close to the brand. 'Her name's been a byword for sustainable luxury and British tailoring for more than two decades. But times have changed, what was her niche is now a crowded marketplace. The thing she was reliably known for, her tailoring, has gone off the boil with bizarre proportions and crazy shapes. When you've got the likes of Victoria Beckham, Gabriela Hearst and Phoebe Philo all inhabiting a similar space… You need to bring something really special.' Indeed, so far, 2025 has been something of an annus horribilis for brand Stella McCartney. In January, it was announced that minority shareholder Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH, the biggest luxury conglomerate in the world, who also own Celine and Dior) were selling their 49 per cent stake in the business after five years. McCartney purchased the shares back for an undisclosed sum, making the house an independent entity once again. The separation marked the second time the Stella McCartney brand has been set adrift from a group – in 2018, the brand departed from the Kering stable (owners of Gucci, amongst others) after 17 years with the shares once again bought by McCartney herself. Moves like these leave McCartney wrestling with an upended supply chain, which needs to be rebuilt and higher costs, being that the brand no longer benefits from group discount rates on materials and services. Throw in Brexit and Covid, and it's easy to see why all's not well between the balance sheets either. Accounts filed in March (almost six months after the Companies House deadline) showed sales at the house fell by almost half in 2023. Turnover was slashed from £40 million to £21.9 million, and the brand's pre-tax loss went from £10 million to £25 million over the same period. In fact, Stella McCartney has not made a pre-tax profit since the £9 million it reported in 2017, instead accumulating a pre-tax loss of more than £143 million. Directors at the brand said this represented a 'material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the group's ability to continue as a going concern in the long term'. 'Sadly, since the pandemic, sustainability has taken a backseat to profits in the fashion business,' says Dana Thomas, author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes and host of the pro-climate movement podcast The Green Dream. 'Maintaining your integrity can be costly – more costly than most C-suite executives and shareholders are willing to accommodate. It's a shame, because consumers… want to patronise brands with like-minded practices. Such brands are getting harder to find in the mainstream; start-ups are the core of the sustainable fashion movement now, and they are always financially precarious, because they are still so new and unproven, and many fail.' They say that bad news comes in threes, so perhaps, then, it's not surprising that earlier this month, news got out that the designer was leaving her beloved flagship store on Old Bond Street, nine years before the end of the lease. Stella McCartney moved into the Grade II-listed, 18th-century townhouse in June 2018 after spending four years overseeing its renovation. The opening night was a glitzy affair, with an interior decked out in designer furniture (including a £21,000 sofa) and the likes of Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue and Idris Elba waving Union Jacks from an upstairs balcony. 'Welcome to the House of Stella McCartney!' Stella told the press after cutting the shop's big red ribbon. 'I have been the architect in this process, creating this space.' The shop had been designed 'with bespoke personal experiences at its core' – a ball pit and climbing wall for kids on the ground floor and with art and sound installations throughout. Old Bond Street is 'probably one of the most prestigious retail locations in the world, it's an incredible honour for us [to be here],' The fashion designer said at the time: 'This store really tells the story of the world of Stella McCartney.' And like any good story, it features the rough and the smooth – decorative rocks sourced from the McCartney family farm in Scotland and a pink faux-fur-lined lift dubbed the 'Stellavator'. While the label is reportedly close to signing a new lease, they have yet to confirm where that will be (the brand did not respond to The Telegraph's request for comment). 'Stella McCartney is known for creating traditional luxury fashion, and traditional luxury fashion is expensive, and it needs certain codes - for example, fancy stores and amazing shows,' says sustainable fashion activist Orsola de Castro. 'A lot of money goes into these endeavours. A brand that also tries to be sustainable from a traditional luxury parameter has even more expenses than traditional luxury brands… So it is also not surprising that (in 2025), when brands are selling less, it would be one of the more sustainable brands that takes a hit.' Whether these changes symbolise a temporary setback or a more permanent problem for the brand – who are reportedly racing to cut costs citing 'significant pressure' from inflation on materials and salaries, plus the end of tax-free shopping in the UK, remains to be seen. Either way, it's a huge bump in the road for a brand that has blazed a trail within the fashion industry. 'Stella McCartney was the first designer showing in Paris to question the status quo of the luxury fashion market,' wrote The Telegraph's Lisa Armstrong in a review of her spring/summer 2025 show in Paris last September, which she declared 'notably thin on ideas'. 'She made vegan (synthetic, faux leather or whatever you want to call it) bags and shoes seem desirable. She used her hugely privileged position to champion the rights of animals when the rest of the fashion world didn't care… Through an advantageous position at LVMH, McCartney was able to invest in innovative, environmentally-friendly fabric startups and highlight their work at her shows. It doesn't hurt that she can always attract a stellar front row to lend glamour to her cause.' Stella has always had star power, from Kate Moss to Olivia Colman to Mary But, says luxury brand marketing consultant Gabriele Hackworthy, in today's fashion marketplace, a star-studded front row alone doesn't guarantee sales. 'In the early 2000s, the brand defined the 'cool girl' look with its sharp tailoring, effortless dresses, and the iconic Falabella bag…' Hackworthy notes. 'While the industry has shifted and evolved, it's a testament to [Stella McCartney's] creative vision that she has led the brand for over two decades – impressive in an era where top fashion houses are frequently rotating creative directors.' While Victoria Beckham may not boast such a starry front row, she is a huge star herself, living her brand, showcasing wares as diverse as a gown costing £900 to how to use her hit £30 eyeliner across both her and husband David's Instagram feeds (followed by over 120 million people combined) offering styling tips and glimpses into their 'private' world. Indeed, Victoria Beckham's eyeliner and fragrances have been credited by the star herself as helping her business go into profit for the first time in 15 years in 2022, with sales soaring by 52 per cent to £89 million in 2023. 'Fashion right now is deeply tied to cultural currency – and Victoria Beckham, paradoxically, has become more relevant by becoming more restrained, focused and even humble in her approach, repositioning herself from celebrity-designer to serious fashion entrepreneur…' adds Hackworthy, noting that LVMH brands (which Stella McCartney was until very recently) 'thrive by anchoring collections with hero accessories – they build worlds around their bags and shoes… Without a new must-have accessory, it's hard to build momentum. The Stella McCartney brand hasn't had that gravitational pull in years.' Then there are the prices. At £2000-plus, McCartney's off-the-peg trouser suits, renowned for being many career women's introduction to suiting, are more expensive than something similar at Victoria Beckham (£1,450). Newcomer brands such as the classic separates in Amy Powney's new venture Akyn will also challenge in this space. Dr Stine Hedegaard is the course leader for fashion, marketing and sustainability at London College of Fashion, UAL and an academic researcher in sustainable fashion strategy who explains that the UK luxury fashion sector faces a 'complex landscape, including evolving consumer attitudes, economic challenges and likely also consumer confusion about what constitutes sustainability'. 'From a luxury consumer perspective, research indicates there is a growing, but not dominant interest in sustainability. While awareness of sustainability issues is rising, the majority of shoppers don't prioritise sustainable brands when shopping… (sustainability) is not the primary driver for the majority of purchasing decisions in fashion, especially when compared to factors like price and quality. As such, you don't have an advantage from a consumer perspective if you are a luxury brand positioning yourself as sustainable, unless price and quality are key factors of your product offering.' 'For a long time, Stella proved that you could run a profit-making business while being environmentally responsible,' says Dana Thomas. 'She made 'conscious fashion' cool, and proved, for a time, that it was smart business. I hope she can right the course, and do so without sacrificing the good things she does. Fashion needs her.'
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Forever Chemicals In Your Closet? How PFAS May Be Harming Your Health
In the pursuit of performance, the fashion industry has quietly adopted a class of synthetic chemicals that offer stain resistance, water repellency and durability. But the price may be higher than advertised. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, are increasingly found in clothing, from yoga leggings to hiking jackets and activewear. Dubbed "forever chemicals" because they don't naturally break down, PFAS persist in our environment and bodies, raising urgent questions about their long-term effect on human and planetary health and safety. Initially developed in the mid-20th century, PFAS are now ubiquitous in consumer goods, including personal care products, nonstick cookware, food packaging and water-resistant fabrics. In the apparel industry, they're often applied as coatings to make clothes repel water, oil, and dirt, which is convenient for outdoor gear and athletic wear, but at an environmentally hidden expense. According to a 2022 report by Toxic-Free Future, 72% of products labeled as water- or stain-resistant contained detectable levels of PFAS. These findings align with independent studies, such as one published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, which found PFAS in multiple mainstream apparel brands, including some marketed as "green" or "eco-conscious." While PFAS aren't absorbed through the skin as easily as they are ingested, research suggests that chronic, low-level exposure from clothing still contributes to a person's overall toxic burden. That's because PFAS can break down over time, entering the Air as dust, lingering on skin, and washing into water systems, where they accumulate in the environment and human tissue. Here's what the science shows: Endocrine Disruption Immune System Suppression Increased Cancer Risk Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity This growing body of evidence has prompted researchers to frame PFAS exposure not as an isolated risk, but as a chronic environmental stressor that interacts with other economic and sociocultural issues, including diet, air pollution and systemic health issues. As scientific awareness grows, so does public pressure. U.S. states like California and New York are leading the way by implementing bans on intentionally added PFAS in textiles, beginning with outerwear and expanding into broader apparel categories. The European Union is considering a comprehensive ban on PFAS in all consumer goods under its REACH regulatory framework. Still, industry resistance persists. Many apparel brands cite durability and supply chain complexity as reasons for the slow adoption of sustainable practices. Despite the highly complex nature of this worldwide topic, alternatives exist, including wax-based coatings, bio-based repellents, and PFAS-free membranes. While systemic change is paramount, informed consumer choices remain a powerful force. Here's how to reduce PFAS exposure through your wardrobe: The comfort of stain-free leggings or rainproof jackets might not be worth the cost to our long-term human and planetary health. As consumers, scientists and changemakers start to challenge the invisible risks woven into our clothes, the fashion industry faces a crucial inflection point: choose short-term performance or long-term responsibility. Certainly, what we wear is about expression, but also exposure and a more profound commitment to our overall well-being.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
Banish garden pests with a Nemasys Bundle
Nemasys is offering ten lucky readers the chance to win the ultimate pest-protection bundle, featuring a trio of its top-performing nematode products. Each winner will receive one pack of Nemasys Biological Leatherjacket Protection, one Nemasys Biological Fruit and Veg Protection, and one Nemasys Biological Vine Weevil Killer – everything you need to defend your garden from common pests this growing season. 2 Nemasys beneficial nematodes are a natural form of biological control – microscopic parasitic worms that are simply watered into the soil. Once applied, they actively seek out pests such as slugs, vine weevils and leatherjackets. After locating a host, they release bacteria that quickly eliminates the pest from within. These powerful little allies are completely safe for children, pets, and wildlife. Perfect for use on allotments and edible crops, Nemasys nematodes offer peace of mind and effective protection – a must-have for any eco-conscious gardener. To enter fill in the form below. Or write to Sun NEMASYS Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Arabian Business
07-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Munir Al Deraawi
With over 72,000 green buildings and growing sustainability goals, Dubai's property sector needs agents to drive eco-conscious development and investor awareness
