This week we shall be mostly looking at some new launches and collaborations in a sort of news-style/keep you up to date sort of way. The first one I wanted to tell you about is the new collaboration from ethical homewares brand Aerende, which has featured on these pages before.
The brand, founded by former journalist Emily Mathieson has teamed up with Rosie Birkett, food writer, stylist and broadcaster, to create a limited edition range of textiles including table linen and cushion covers. As always, everything has been created for maximum aesthetic impact but minimum environmental impact.
The cushions have been upcycled from velvet curtains and sewn by refugees in Hertfordshire as were the linen napkins, while the wool blanket – perfect for picnics – was handwoven by Ashleigh in Scotland on a loom he had specially adapted to accommodate his wheelchair.
Rosie’s collection fits with the timeless appeal of everything Aerende does – it’s designed not to go out of fashion after all but to last for as long as you love it – but is a little more colourful than the company’s usual aesthetic.
“I’ve always been passionate about home-making, interiors, styling and homewares,” said Rosie. “So I couldn’t think of a better partner for my debut design collection because I know I’m putting my work into and my name to, products which are having a positive impact as well as being gorgeous and a true reflection of my style.”
Like so many of us, Rosie admits to loving beautiful things in her home but is increasingly concerned about where it all comes from: “Everyone loves filling their houses with nice things but it’s even more joyful when you know that your purchasing power is having a positive effect on the person making your items.
“In the same way that I care about the food supply chain and the idea that people producing the ingredients I cook with are getting a fair deal, it’s wonderful to know that the makers of Aerende’s beautiful products are benefitting emotionally or financially from the process.”
And when you put it like that suddenly you wish everything we bought could be the same way. I’m a huge fan of Aerende, I first wrote about them here with a tour of Emily’s gorgeous house filled with sustainable, vintage, upcycled and second hand products and I’m thrilled to be the first to introduce you to her new collection. I hope it will be the first of many such collaborations and as a fan of a blush pink cushion this is both beautiful and justifiable. I probably need more than one.
All pictures were taken by Helen Cathcart and reproduced with kind permission. You can find Rosie’s recipes here and see the full Aerende collection here. Details and prices of the items shown are in the picture captions. Happy Shopping.
What does “made ….. by women who are distanced from employment in East London”, please?
Hi Rosaleen, Thanks for your enquiry. The phrase refers to women at FabricWorks, a social enterprise based in Limehouse, that we have worked with on a few Aerende products. You can read more about their work on the Makers page of our website (https://www.aerende.co.uk/pages/makers) but to provide the information here too, they provide employment and training for women who are long-term unemployed, some because they have been trafficked or have no language skills, other because of cultural isolation. FabricWorks is part of a larger charity called Stitches in Time that carries out a number of community projects (including sewing) in the Locksley Estate, which is an area of high deprivation in Tower Hamlets. If you have any other questions do feel free to email me. I’m always happy to share more information about our makers, some of which can’t be made public for confidentiality/protection reasons.
Evidence that beautiful interiors can transform lives and the environment – so inspiring. I’ll be reading more and making a purchase when I get a moment this week. I hope this sea change will wash across the whole interiors sector … it’s so important. Thank you so much for sharing this with us Kate … here’s hoping for a happy and beautiful future!
So glad you find our products inspiring Emma. Here’s to a happy and beautiful future indeed!