Your monthly hit of consumerism, with the crap taken out
Words Isabel O’Brien
Ookon Round Luggage
Planning a spring getaway? Don’t be fooled by the quirky dimensions, this white-on-navy wheeler by cult-hit luggage brand Ookon is deceptively roomy. With its robust hard shell design and leather trim, the bag ticks all the boxes in terms of style-smarts and practicality, while the pearl-monogrammed exterior brings a touch of sass to proceedings – you need never apologise for running over a toe again. Look inside to find a game-changing interior feature: ‘I’m Messy’, ‘I’m Clean’ and ‘I’m Dirty’ compartments. Pack in a rush and still Marie Kondo your carry on – who knew a suitcase could be so, err, well-rounded? £390
SALT & STONE
From healthy canapé-style cuisine to premium beachwear, LA-living has never had a stronger footing in British culture, so it’s no surprise that Cali-based unisex skincare brand Salt & Stone finds its home at Liberty this season. Taking inspiration from natural elements, the range is crammed with organic, antioxidant-rich ingredients, like the high potency of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf and Cacao Seed Butter in the SPF30 sunscreen. Concocted to soothe as well as protect, the product glides on thanks to its lightweight, non-greasy formula. It’s also waterproof for up to 80 minutes of swim time, so whether you’re at Venice Beach or Brighton Pier, you can take a dip without having to enlist someone for reapplication. £18
Bower Swimwear
Give back to the beaches you bathe at this summer with Aussie-favourite Bower Swimwear, whose painterly bikinis and one-pieces are crafted entirely from ECONYL®, a yarn created from post consumer plastic waste including discarded fishing nets. Depicting vibrant colour-blocking techniques taken from Julian Smith’s piece, Monte Blanc & the Window, this stylish scoop-back design forms part of a collaboration between the artist and swim brand. Wear with an oversized raffia hat and Stella McCartney’s eco-friendly bioacetate sunglasses. £145
Urban Apothecary Travel Candles
British brand Urban Apothecary bring their gift for evoking moods and memories to the realms of travel with these dinky portable candles. Hand-poured in Leicestershire, England, each candle comes housed in a sleek and ultra-durable iron pot to withstand wear and tear, and offers an ample burn time of 35 hours. Unwind with the soft spices of Oriental Noir or wake up refreshed with the resinous wood of Red Cedar. Just add a long bath in a pristine tub and crisp hotel sheets. £20
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
“How can we summon a moment of lift for human beings – and especially for women? Because when you lift up women, you lift up humanity.” This timely, pacey joy of a book from American philanthropist Melinda Gates – named by Forbes as the third most powerful woman in the world – floodlights the link between female empowerment and societal health, revealing how gender bias still shapes our day-to-day lives. Its mix of fascinating data and emotive stories gives a rallying call to action that will leave readers hankering to join Gates’ mission themselves. £16.99
The Cotton Story T-Shirts
It’s spring-clean season, which means it’s a good time to invest in wardrobe staples, and with sustainability playing an increasingly important role in consumer choice, honest pricing, durability and ethical practice are top of many a shopper’s checklist. Step up The Cotton Company, whose t-shirts are woven from hand-picked Californian cotton and stitched by talented seamstresses in Portugal. Offering boyish straight cut tees retailing at £16 and classic round-necks at £18, The Cotton Story delivers on its promise of ethically-made luxury basics at affordable price points. £16-£18
OPOSSUM Design Bauhaus Bird Feeders
Archi-lovers can translate their penchant for building design to the garden with these Bauhaus-inspired bird feeders from German design agency Opossum Design. Made from durable stainless steel and powder-coated aluminium, the feeders are not only visually striking but also an inviting shape for feathered friends. Fill the porcelain bowls with either water or birdseed and watch as sparrows and blue tits flock to their chic new abode.
SILKE HAIR TIES
Great discoveries don’t come easy, but rarely do they involve wrapping a pair of tights around your head. That’s one of the many techniques that Silke founder Maria Sotiriou trialed while masterminded her hair-protecting range of silk hair wraps and ties. Made from 100% mulberry silk and scoring high on hold and delicacy, the bands come in colour-coordinated six-packs of all-black ‘Cleopatra’, puff pink ‘Coco’ and technicolour ‘Frida’, and are guaranteed not to snap, tug or kink that ponytail. £30
C/6 SOOTHING CREAM
This soothing moisturising treatment from certified organic brand C/6 is packed with sweet almond oil, shea butter, beeswax, and camelina oil. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that nourish the skin, the formula relieves redness, tightness and irritation, while the addition of lavender oil calms and comforts, encouraging a peaceful night’s sleep. Apply in circular motions after cleansing. £62