Eliza Walter
Jewellery Designer & Founder
What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability is the future. If we want to continue to live in the world as it is, we need to think long and hard about our ways of life. If everyone makes small changes, then we can all make a huge impact, but if we do not take care, then there is a chance that we won't have a planet that we can live on. It sounds very morbid, but it is the truth, and I think without fear, people won't act, so we need to educate and all start taking steps towards a more sustainable future.
What measures do you try to take, both professionally and personally, to be more sustainable?
Sustainability is at the heart of everything I do, from what I buy to how I travel. It is terrifying to see the world that we live in and how little care is taken over it during the environmental crisis we are living in. When I shop for clothes, I always buy second-hand and never new - there are so many hidden gems out there, so all you need to do is look. When I am buying food, I will always bulk buy or opt for food without packaging and then recycle absolutely everything I can. In my eyes, if everyone takes care of the little things, it will make a huge impact.
One saying we love at LYLIE is ‘think locally, act globally’ and it is so true.
Professionally, sustainability is at the heart of the business through mining gold from e-waste, dental waste, and (mainly now) a gold exchange initiative where we send reusable pouches to collect customers' unwanted jewellery (and hopefully in the future old electronics) and offer brand credit for them, alongside using recycled-antique or lab-grown diamonds. But it is also the little things, so before making any decisions, we always ask ourselves what is the most sustainable option, and do we really need this? Taking these moments to think before buying makes a huge difference, and as a result, we have very little waste in the studio.
In your opinion, what changes can be made in the world of fashion towards becoming a more sustainable industry?
I believe companies need to be held accountable for their carbon footprint and critically the waste they produce. It should be made clear to the consumer before they buy the goods. Education is key; if consumers really know what has gone into making the item of clothing they are about to buy, they will probably think twice and maybe consider a more sustainable option. It is a huge movement, but we have to start somewhere.
How do your thoughts on sustainability influence what you purchase (particularly in regards to your wardrobe)?
All of my decisions are driven by sustainability. I never want to buy new if I can avoid it. I am an avid eBay user and when it comes to my clothes, I buy from so many places. I absolutely love going to car boot sales, there is an amazing one very close to where I live, which is often where you will find me on a Sunday! I love charity shops and even car boot sales for clothes. Some of my best purchases have been from car boot sales because there are so many treasures that people are unaware of. My most recent love is thrift.plus - you can send in your old clothes for credit towards second-hand clothes on their website - it is totally circular and I am loving my new purchases.
What are the challenges of running a sustainable brand?
There are a few, but a big one is that there is a common misconception that if you buy a sustainable product, then you have to compromise on design and sometimes pay a premium. That is what we are passionate about changing, and my love for both design and sustainability means that I am able to incorporate the two to give our customers the best options where they don’t have to pay a premium. The only problem is that sometimes we do have to pay premiums for more sustainable packaging or other products, but in my eyes, there is no question that it is worth it. Finally, I would say the hardest thing is greenwashing - many companies claim that their energy is 100% renewable and from sustainable sources, but this is often not the case, and it is a minefield trying to figure it out.
We would love to hear about the future goals for Lylie Jewellery?
A timeless design and a circular story are increasingly representing the ultimate hallmark of luxury. Over the next few years, LYLIE Jewellery aims to grow in a strong, sustainable way, expanding on what we already do - our gold exchange, our ethical engagement rings, our annual collection, remodeling and repairs services, and our engrave shop.
To support this growth, we aim to establish a UK workshop to complete all our manufacturing, from 3D printing to casting in our salvaged gold. The aim would be to establish this in an area of high economic need. And yes, of course, we would love to apply for BCorp status.
Photographed by @alexbramall
Styling @nataliewj with wardrobe Eliza's own
Lighting @mfurlonger