The Green Guide: How sustainable is your wardrobe? Jessica Carroll challenges fashion's eco credentials
This week, Jessica Carroll asks the question: How sustainable is Pippa Small?
Quartz and gold necklace, £250, pippasmall.com
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What's The Aim?
To champion artisans in disadvantaged communities around the world. All Small's collections are made by skilled craftspeople – for example, this necklace was made in Kabul in Afghanistan by artisans at the Turquoise Mountain foundation, which was set up by King Charles 16 years ago to create jobs and promote skills in traditional crafts, and which has continued to operate even after the Western withdrawal last year.
Why Shouldn't I Buy?
While the brand's humanitarian support is impressive – it helps its workers obtain basic business skills, improve literacy and learn English – it could be more transparent regarding environmental sustainability.
What's The Story?
Since London-based Pippa Small founded her eponymous jewellery brand in 2007, her sustainable pieces have become a celebrity favourite (the Duchess of Sussex is perhaps the label's most famous fan). In 2013, Small was awarded an MBE for her charity work and ethical business practices.
Why Should I Buy?
It's guaranteed that 100 per cent of the profits from this necklace will be given to the Turquoise Mountain foundation, which has trained more than 15,000 artisans since its launch.
Extra Mile
The rutilated quartz and gold used to create this necklace are all sourced from Afghanistan. This means production is kept within a small area, reducing the need for transportation.
Verdict
This brand genuinely wants to make a difference to its workers. More transparency on key points such as wages and its carbon footprint would boost the final score.
Our rating: 4 stars out of 5
