This International Women's Day, the Because team are showing their support by championing their favourite female-founded brands. Spanning across fashion, beauty and homeware, find out why they love them below.
Caroline Issa, editor-in-chief
I love Co for Stephanie Danan's impeccable eye on wardrobe essentials, and this denim dress is the perfect transition piece from lockdown to an IRL social life.
Racil's tuxedo-inspired suiting is really versatile – wear a double breasted jacket with jeans or its matching suit trouser, either way it's a great investment piece.
Sana Jardin has embedded a socially responsible business model in its fragrant bones from its beginning, working with female cooperatives in Morocco who manufacture many of the raw materials to make these gorgeous perfumes. I wear many of the fragrances and love how not only does it make me smell delicious, but it empowers female entrepreneurship. Win win!
Blankets have become a daily necessity for me, having carved out a favourite spot on my couch to watch art-house films streaming on TANKtv, or the Channel 4 series The Great (which I highly recommend) to Netflix's Community when I need some chuckles. And this Aessai blanket is the perfect companion for my pop-culture download on the couch, soft and warm with a graphic element that adds to the room.
Sana Jardin has embedded a socially responsible business model in its fragrant bones from its beginning, working with female cooperatives in Morocco who manufacture many of the raw materials to make these gorgeous perfumes. I wear many of the fragrances and love how not only does it make me smell delicious, but it empowers female entrepreneurship. Win win!
Blankets have become a daily necessity for me, having carved out a favourite spot on my couch to watch art-house films streaming on TANKtv, or the Channel 4 series The Great (which I highly recommend) to Netflix's Community when I need some chuckles. And this Aessai blanket is the perfect companion for my pop-culture download on the couch, soft and warm with a graphic element that adds to the room.
Carmen Bellot, junior fashion editor
Since the first day I slathered my face in Votary products – my favourite being these Super Boost Night drops – I've become obsessed with them for their unexplainably fast results: a rejuvenated glow that begs multiple skincare compliments IRL and over Zoom. Co-founded by make-up artist Arabella Preston, she harnesses the power of plant oils and botanical actives within her skincare, having experimented with blending them to cleanse her own skin, and those of her high profile clients throughout her career – and if it works for them, it'll work for me!
A staple on the LFW Mens calendar, Wales Bonner has always been a fashion favourite of mine for her multidisciplinary approach to design. This structured blazer epitomises her soulful tailoring: being inspired by photographer John Goto's 'Lover's Rock' series, which captured young British African-Caribbeans at a South London youth centre in 1977.
The first rule of Paloma Wool is that you do not call it a clothing brand: it's a collaborative project. Harnessing the power of her friends, photographers, ceramicists and artists, Paloma Lanna has created a multi-faceted brand that's become a platform for other creatives – with the pop trio Haim, being one of their most recent partners. As well as being adorned for their collaborative energy, their clothes are really cute, and this check top (that comes with matching knit trousers) makes for the perfect look to wear whilst jamming out to Haim's latest album.
Cristina Mantilla and Duda Teixeira of éliou design accessories that remind you of sun-bleached memories and the feeling of warmth on your skin, and since I discovered them on Instagram (long before Harry Styles exploded the internet wearing one of their necklaces) I've been craving their summer-appropriate jewellery. This Coté necklace uses traditional beads and pearls which have reappropriated into a modern context, and they'll make a wonderful sartorial accompaniment to a glass of ice cold rosé in a pub garden – the countdown to April 12th begins!
Nasreen Osman, project co-ordinator
I stumbled upon Louise Madzia's ceramics when I fell down the IG rabbit hole of homeware and design. If you're looking to add a bit of mind and soul energy to your home decor, look to Louise's designs which are all made by hand.
The world may soon be leaving loungewear behind but I'm staying firmly put until we're back to 'normal', so until then cashmere trousers it is. And you don't need to look much further than Chinti & Parker for great cashmere comfies.
I love how Glow Recipe has made Korean beauty more accessible to a wider audience and the success this cult favourite watermelon mask has seen is testament to their efforts. It also applies on the skin like a dream.
I'll always be a fan of Simone Rocha for creating utterly dreamy clothes with so much intricate detail my eyes can barely keep up. I might also be slightly biased because her familiar Dublin accent adds a hint of pride but nonetheless, I'm a sucker for the dark romantic nature of her pieces.
Shop the Because team's picks below:
I'll always be a fan of Simone Rocha for creating utterly dreamy clothes with so much intricate detail my eyes can barely keep up. I might also be slightly biased because her familiar Dublin accent adds a hint of pride but nonetheless, I'm a sucker for the dark romantic nature of her pieces.
Shop the Because team's picks below:
