Being environmentally friendly is fashionable in itself. 

We want to be turning heads for all the right reasons 

– Victoria Jones, founder of S A Y A Designs.

Have you ever noticed that I have never posted about hair accessories of any kind. It is no coincidence. When I post about issues and objects they must represent something personal to me, and I have yet to find a hair accessory that conjures up such sentiments. Until now.

When the founder, Victoria Jones, from S A Y A Designs contacted me about her handcrafted hairpins created from roots salvaged from old plantations I was very much intrigued, and when I saw what they looked like, I was even more so. I have natural hair, which requires hair accessories that do not get tangled and knotted into my coiffure, and the only accessories I have ever found to be of any use are bobby pins (the metal, Made in China kind).

A far cry from my bobby pins, these hairpins are very much remnants of long lost traditions of the first hair accessories, as hair sticks have been used for thousands of years. During the Ming Dynasty, hairpins were considered a symbol of thought and culture, and it is hard not to assume that the same could be said of these adornments. To buy into them, we have to buy into several ethical concepts and beliefs that these accessories present.

For one, S A Y A is based on the belief that entrepreneurialism and commerce can keep traditional methods alive and drive positive action. Each classic design is enforcing a 100% reusable and biodegradable option to all the current plastic and elastic disposable hair accessories. The S A Y A business model is formulated to support a sustainable supply chain while splitting profits with those positively impacting our natural environment, at the same spreading an important ethical message. S A Y A will be working with partner organisation, Gaia, who work not only to plant their seeds, but to educate farmers and communities in supporting their ecosystems across pilot sites in Indonesia.

The beauty lies in their form and function. S A Y A is bringing back this original hair tool with timeless designs for the modern aesthete – who cares as much about the story of the products they wear, as they do of how good it looks. Through their designs, products, and marketing, it is S A Y A’s hope to inspire others to learn more and get involved with environmental and wildlife conservation - bringing beauty into people’s lives through unique designs and traditional handmade crafts that have stories to tell. This is the first step on their mission and there is plenty more to come.

Stay tuned for an interview with Founder Victoria Jones.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Oh, and whilst you're at it, check out some of the other toys, games and gift sets available from the links provided above.

As Emma enjoys the cool tropics of Miami's South Beach, I am left to seek warmth in Washington DC, on one of my intermittent visits to see my migrated family. No, I am not here to vote, but if I could I most certainly would. So instead, I have been left to my own devices, left to find pleasure in understanding the politics, and the anticipation that suspends the nation as to who the next leader will be. In doing so, my attention turned, briefly, away from the candidates towards their wives; the strong women who are fighting for their own causes.

As I perused the internet and clips of the candidates, I came across a YouTube video of Michelle and Barack Obama, being interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where the first lady was dressed in a DURO OLOWU dress. I, then, Googled Michelle Obama and African Print and was surprised to see that she not only supports the London-based designer, but also the UK-based online Retailer, ASOS, in their ASOS Africa initiative, with clothing produced in collaboration with SOKO Kenya--a production workshop that empowers the vulnerable and marginalised by offering training and skills, and fair employment through the creation of sustainable clothing.  Better yet, through this collaboration SOKO Kenya continues to promote sustainable enterprises for these underprivileged communities vis-a-vis local craftsmanship.

What follows is the new ASOS Africa Collection, which will keep you warm, stylish and politically in-sync this Elections Day.

The Conscience Collective is obsessed with Vivienne Westwood's Ethical Africa Collection, as it is an exemplification of what embodies the ethos of our blog. All bags are handmade by local women from communities in Kenya from recycled materials. With the support of the International Trade Centre's Ethical Fashion Program of the United Nations, all women involved in Vivienne Westwood's Ethical Fashion Africa collection have not only been empowered financially, but socially as well.

Click to Shop