Spending your money on ethical gifts
2020 is quite the year. I can’t even quite begin to process it just now, not that I’m alone in that of course. This time a year ago the world was quite a different place.
I studied History at A Level. I still love how it makes me look at the world differently - always thinking of the context and the reason behind something - whether it’s a statement, and action, a business. But I’m not sure that I like knowing that my (in the scheme of things) very small time on this planet, will definitely be one that goes into the history books. I much prefer to study other people’s history rather than know that what we’re living through will be the stuff future generations study.
It’s a cheery note to start a blog with eh?!
But there are (already) good things to take away from 2020, and perhaps - as we go into the great unknown of autumn - now the perfect time to focus on them.
Shopping local, and supporting small creative businesses has never been more fashionable or more important. During the weeks of lockdown we all had to get imaginative and rely on what we had in our island. It also got me thinking on a wider level about the companies that I want to stock on the website.
Which led me to finding out more about B Corp Businesses.
“Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.”
I’ve always sought out businesses that balance their ethics, green policy, have a clear and clean supply chain, but I am so happy to have my first B Corp company on the Harriet and Rose website! And PS, the products are GORGEOUS.
Yala is an award-winning African jewellery brand designed for the modern woman.
Winner of "Jewellery Brand of the Year" in the 2019 Sustainable Lifestyle Awards and the very first jewellery company in the UK to become a Certified B Corporation.
They create ethical jewellery that is created to last, with collaborators who are paid fairly and materials that are eco-friendly.
Their small batch collections are made exclusively for us, and create as little environmental impact as possible.
Yala is the vision of Audrey Migot-Adholla, Founder and CEO. Born in Kenya and based in Bristol with her husband, Audrey splits her time between the two countries. The brand is named after the town in Kenya where her grandmother lived.
From beadwork to wax prints, Audrey turned her passion for accessories into Yala. It was her dream to create a business that worked with local artisans and showcased their skills across the world.
Yala is the product of that dream. Their goal is to challenge the common misconceptions about Africa and its people through beautiful design, entrepreneurship and creative talent.
Today, Audrey works directly with over 150 artisans in Kenya, ensuring they receive fair wages, safe and healthy work environments, and real recognition for their talent. She is passionate about ensuring true transparency across the production process, and a genuine connection between the people who created Yala jewellery and our customers.
You can shop our small collection of Yala jewellery here. Or pop along to our pop up events which recommence on the 29th October to see them in person.
Thanks so much to Audrey for letting us stock Yala’s beautful designs.
If 2020 has taught us all anything, it’s that we really need to think where we spend our money.