Shop Unique - Brand Feature - Keepwood

Madia & Matilda curated selection of brands, SHop UNique features brands who share our passion and ethos. We interviewed Keepwood natural eyewear

A bit more about the brand:

Keepwood Sustainable Eyewear started in 2013 with a desire to offer environmentally conscious products while supporting a very worthwhile cause. By offering high quality eyewear that is sustainable and natural, we can help replace the burden of waste that cheap plastic eyewear creates. For each pair of our eyewear sold, we fund "Trees for the Future" to plant 50 trees in one of their worldwide projects. We are based in Manitoba, Canada.

How is our eyewear made:

The wood and bamboo is machine-cut and then hand -sanded, finished, and assembled.

What they are made from? components? why did you chose this material: 

Most of our eyewear is made from bamboo and wood, and we also have some acetate eyeglass frames available. We chose bamboo as it is highly sustainable and renewable. It grows rapidly and under almost any condition, produces more oxygen than trees, and is durable, lightweight, and waterproof. Our woods are non-endangered and non-restricted. We love the acetate line because it is made from wood fibers and cotton, it's hypoallergenic, and very lightweight, strong, and flexible.

What inspires us: 
We are inspired by the projects of "Trees for the Future" and are so honoured to donate to them with proceeds of each of our sales. For every pair of eyewear we sell, they plant 50 trees. Their tree-planting has a direct impact on the earth and the lives of the people who need it most. The Forest Gardens they plant provide families in Africa with sustainable food sources, livestock feed, fuel wood, and up to a 500% increase in their annual income. 

What does making a quality product mean to you:

We are very stringent with our quality control and make sure that each piece meets British and North American standards. As mentioned, we are conscious of using sustainable and plant-based materials with the hope that by providing a quality product that will last over time, we can decrease the burden of waste that cheap plastic eyewear creates.

What occasion can you wear your eyewear:

Our eyewear can be worn everywhere! We strive to offer enough styles that everyone can find something that suits them. Of course our sunglasses are best worn on the beach, but since they all include polarized lenses they are great for sports and activities that require improved visibility- such as surfing, snowboarding, boating, and driving.

Favourite place to relax:

Our favorite place to relax is of course the beach, enjoying the sun. We are hoping to make it to Bali this winter and get some inspiration there for new styles we could offer in the future!

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

e::  info@madiamatilda.co.uk       w::  www.madiamatilda.co.uk/

Shop Unique - Brand Feature - Preux

Madia & Matilda curated selection of brands, SHop UNique features brands who share our passion and ethos. We interviewed Jil Saluck founder & designer of Preux

Madia & Matilda interviewed Jil Saluck on her luxury

  USA crafted bags. Find out more below.

Can you tell me a little more about the brand:
Preux handbags are designed by Jill Raymond Saluck using custom dyed and printed leathers, and are hand manufactured in NYC an Minnesota.  Without the need for excess embellishments or logos, the brand represents refined and personal style. The leather tones are up to the minute but go beyond the trends. The versatility of the collections offer a plethora of different pairing options, whether you are dressing for a night on the town or for a day at the office. Luxury leather combined with modern, minimalist structure makes Preux handbags a timeless addition to any 

wardrobe.


How you make your bags:

The leather is custom printed in Italy, then shipped to the U.S. where the bags are hand manufactured at a leather handbag factory from my samples.

What they are made from? components? why did you chose this material:

The bags are made from printed and foiled Italian leathers that I chose for their unique look and durability.  All hardware is hidden in the interior of each bag to give it a minimalist streamlined look.

What inspires you:

I'm inspired by interesting textures and subtle mixtures of color.  I like to start designing a handbag by exploring different patterns and textures, then choosing colors.

Where do you make the your bags:

My handbags are all made in one of two factories- one in Brooklyn, NY and one in Minneapolis, MN.  I work very closely with the artisans to ensure that each product meets my specifications, and if there is an issues we make changes until we get it right.

Where you would wear your bags too:

Preux handbags can be worn virtually anywhere.  There is a style for any outing imaginable; the Gala clutch for elegant or formal affairs, the Girls Nite shoulder pouch for casual evenings out, the Pavement Pounder crossbody for busy days of multitasking, and the Lunch Meeting tote for every day, or even as a beach or pool bag.

Favourite place to relax:

My favorite place to relax is the beach- I always bring my tote because it keeps my phone safe from sand and water!

In the future what styles do you plan to make next?

In the future I plan to add a backpack style to the mix.

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

e::  info@madiamatilda.co.uk       w::  www.madiamatilda.co.uk/

Shop Unique - Brand Feature - C.Nicol

Madia & Matilda curated selection of brands, SHop UNique features brands who share our passion and ethos. We interviewed Cathleen Nicol founder & designer of C.Nicol

                                 Madia & Matilda interviewed Cathleen Nicol on her luxury
                                            sustainable bags. Find out more below.



 Can you tell me a little more about the brand? 

C.Nicol is a contemporary, luxury British accessories brand led by Scotland-born founder and designer, Cathleen Nicol.

C.Nicol bags offer clean clean, functional shapes and use colour and textured materials to bring something unique to the finished look of each bag. Most of the components used are sourced from the UK and every bag is cut and sewn in London.

2015 is C.Nicol’s first year in business and we now have stockists in the UK and Middle East. In 2016 we will have a presence in the Far East too.

How do you make your bags?

It starts with a sketch, then a paper prototype and then we fine-tune the pattern pieces. A leather sample is produced and when we are happy with it, we go into full production at the factory in London.

 What are the bags made from? Components? Why did you choose this material?

The first collection of bags was made from British leather and Scottish salmon skin. I often wondered what happened to all the skins from the salmon used for the food industry in Scotland and after some time, I found a supplier that sourced their skins for dyeing from Scottish and Irish organic salmon farms.

 The second collection was made from British leather and some French goatskin and I source most of my metal fittings from a shop in London. The goatskin has a beautiful iridescent finish and texture. The British leather has a lovely grain and is firm but pliable which is what I was really looking for.

The leather tanneries where we source our skins all have pretty robust environmental practices and policies. A large amount of water is used in the tanning process and so using companies that we environmentally conscious in their day to day practice in terms of economical water usage and limitation to damage on the environment was important.

The lining for each collection is designed by a different British artist or illustrator and is printed in London on a silky monroe satin fabric.

What inspires you? 

I find inspiration in everything. Inspiration for the theme of my collections comes mostly from different aspects of nature. In terms of design and functionality of my bags, inspiration comes from watching how women hold and carry their bags – I love people watching!

Where do you make the product and what does sustainability or making a quality British product mean to you?

Every C.Nicol bags are made in a small factory in Hackney, London. For me, producing in the UK means quality, reliability and support for the economy of my home country. It also enables a level of communication throughout the production period that I may not be able to achieve if I partnered with a factory overseas.

Where you would you wear your bags to?

I wear my bags shopping at the weekend, to work meetings and also to go out with my girlfriends at night. I feel the collection has a variety of styles and colours that suit most occasions.

Favourite place to relax?

At home with my children at the weekend.

In the future what styles do you plan to make next?

We have a large tote bag and another style of clutch bag in the plans for summer 2016.

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

e::  info@madiamatilda.co.uk       w::  www.madiamatilda.co.uk/