It’s time to support small businesses run by women

BLOGS & LIFESTYLE

It’s Time to Support Small Businesses Run by Women Louisa Polack

Now, more than ever, it is hugely important to support women-led businesses. Not only have women been disproportionately a ected economically by the COVID-19 pandemic, with women being around a third more likely to work in a sector that was shut during the various lockdowns, but women’s businesses are also more likely to have been a ected by the pandemic than those run by men, as women are more likely to work in elds hit the hardest by the pandemic, such as beauty and fashion.

It is also no secret that large rms, in particular those within the fashion industry, are not very sustainable. Despite investing large sums of money into innovation to reduce the industry’s environmental impact, the big brands’ attempts at sustainability are dwarfed by gures highlighting the implications of the production of their products, with the fashion industry being responsible for 20% of all water pollution worldwide. So, what is the solution? While a quick x will not occur over night, by supporting smaller brands, who work on a much smaller scale and are able to have greater control over their pollution levels, we can each help to have a positive impact.

For all of these reasons, I have listed below just a few women-run small businesses, to showcase the type of products available to you to keep a clear conscience through supporting women business owners and the environment. Supporting your local has become a popular ethos across a range of sectors, and there is no reason as to why it should not be used in the fashion sector. Therefore, bearing in mind the potential environmental impacts involved in the shipping of products, I have kept this list to UK based brands, with one even being based in Leeds.

Slow Garments

Credit: Depop - @slowgarments 23-year-old Ti any is a self-taught seamstress, with a passion for sustainable, slow garments. Using sustainable fabrics, Ti any makes all of her products herself, selling only a few at a time due to the time-consuming nature of the work. Selling pieces in sizes from XXS to 4XL, she has also recently released Valentine’s themed tops, one of which is shown below, and there is still a few left.

Depop: @slowgarments Instagram: @slowgarments

Neo Jewels

Especially among the student population, the y2k style seems increasingly popular. Neo Jewels has embraced this trend, producing beaded phone bracelets. With a variety of designs to choose from, and customisation available, not only are these a great accessory for your phone, they are also very useful, particularly for those prone to dropping their phone. Originally founded in Paris by friends Chloé and Nina, as Chloé is a University of Leeds student the business has now also expanded to the UK, with Chloé producing the UK orders from her Leeds bedroom. Neo Jewels are currently selling through their Instagram.

Instagram: @neo.jewels

ROSAYAB

Founded in East London in March 2020, Rosie Bishop works singlehandedly, producing all of her garments herself. Not only are the products made to order, making them a perfect t for any body shape or size, they are also made from locally sourced fabrics which are combined with o cuts and repurposed deadstock materials – Rosie has taken sustainable fashion to another level. I originally found her on Asos Marketplace, but she also has a Depop account and her own website, with a lookbook perfect for inspiring you on how to style her garments.

Website: rosayab.com Depop: @rosayab Asos Marketplace: ROSAYAB

Credit: rosayab.com

Emma’s LovelY Creations

Based in Derby, Emma personally handmakes her “lovely creations,” selling a variety of dainty, as well as quirky, jewellery. In particular, the shop focuses on earrings, but they also sell other types of accessories, such as enamel pins. With ower-pressed earrings becoming increasingly popular at the moment, Emma’s 5-star Etsy shop should de nitely be the rst port of call for this kind of product, with a range of styles and designs on o er.

Etsy: EMMASLOVELYCREATIONS Depop: @emmaslovelycreations

Credit: Etsy - EMMASLOVELY CREATIONS