OUR SUSTAINABLE COMMITMENT
Where the fashion industry is one of the major contributors to environmental decline, Elyse & i strives to be the antithesis to quick fix fashion by embracing time-held traditions and adopting slow, skilled practices so that their products arrive to you with minimal to no environmental impact. Elyse & i is constantly looking for ways to reduce carbon footprint and is putting sustainability at its core.
The acceleration of fast fashion is destroying the environment whilst simultaneously stifling expression and creativity. It is the deliberate intention of designer, Emily Cheetham, that her brand offers accessories which are not barnacled to trends or hype but embrace difference, have meaning and value. Elyse & i bags are for women who appreciate an alternative, slower pace to fashion one that is keeping traditional artisanal practices alive and supporting small communities.
Elyse & i's lines are are constructed with integrity and meticulous precision so that they will last for several seasons and years to come. So, following the mantra of “Change Begins With You” the brand is dedicated to making a positive difference through its operations and partnerships without compromising the environment.
TREE PLANTING INITIATIVE
To practically implement the claim of sustainability, Elyse & i is excited to announce a partnership with Sprout and GoodAPI to plant one tree for every SGD $50 spent on its online store. This initiative not only helps reduce climate change but also supports reforestation efforts so that future generations have a clean and green environment to live in.
After completing their mission in Madagascar, Sprout is now partnering with Veritree to expand its footprint and help restore critical landscapes through tree planting in mangroves in Kenya.
Coastal communities in Eastern Africa rely on mangrove ecosystems for food, income, and protection. Rapid urbanisation and poor governance have led to widespread mangrove destruction, pushing already vulnerable communities deeper into poverty.
In supporting Veritree, work is underway to restore these vital forests to revive biodiversity, create sustainable livelihoods, and protect coastlines from storms. This project empowers local people to break the cycle of poverty through environmental regeneration.
OUR PRODUCTION PRACTICES
For over a decade, we have proudly collaborated with a small, female-owned atelier in Indonesia. Elyse & i bags and leather accessories are crafted with care, using locally sourced leather from Balinese leather suppliers. This collaboration is not only in the favour of Elyse & i, but it allows us to support our artisans through regular, small-run production batches.
Instead of making stacks of bags, our work model is primarily based on small-batch production. By doing so, we minimise wastage and avoid the overstock issues that can plague larger manufacturers. With this approach, we are not only aiming for environmental sustainability but this small-batch approach also helps us bring out more creativity and exclusivity to the ones who matter the most— our customers.
PACKAGING - AVOIDING PLASTIC
In our efforts to reduce plastic use, we package our bags in reusable dust bags, reflecting our commitment to sustainability. We are constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to further minimise our impact on the planet. We acknowledge there is always room for improvement and we are committed to looking for better practices to lessen our environmental impact moving forward.
RECYCLING justifyOVER LEATHERS
Rather than waste scraps of leather, Elyse & i has turned these into the Kitty cardholder pouches and now for this festive season, it is turning cast off scraps of leather into beautiful small leather gift tags.
Designer Emily Cheetham has personally gold leaf embossed & embellished the gift tags which will be 'Gifts with Purchase' at Boutiques, the Gifting Edition from 22-24 November.
By repurposing materials, the aim is to reduce waste and create delightful surprises for customers at the same time.
So, in buying your next handbag from Elyse & i know that you are purchasing from a small brand who is making conscious decisions to minimise it’s negative impact on the earth.