Aspinal of London: 'We are more aware than ever of the effects our way of life is having on our planet'

Chairman Iain Burton and Creative Director Maria Dykalo have a passion for sustainability which has run through the veins of Aspinal of London since its conception. However, what with 2020’s change of tone, and time at home being more important, this ethos has developed further with the launch of their new sustainability initiative, #BeeAspinal.

‘We have witnessed nature's reset, from wildlife flourishing across all parts of the globe to seas and rivers clearing, to the disappearance of air pollution visible from outer space’, enthuse the Aspinal duo, who were inspired to develop this new collection of accessories. This is a pivotal launch for the brand: it sees the introduction of conscious design features from nose to tail, from upcycled materials to the introduction of metal-free and carbon-offset leathers.

‘We are more aware than ever of the effects our way of life is having on our planet, and the positive steps we can take to make a difference’, Mr Burton continues, ‘it is with this focus that we are refining our whole way of working to make Aspinal of London as sustainable a brand as we can make it.’

The collection sees the launch of the new canvas London Tote which has a classic silhouette and feels very Aspinal, yet it has had a refresh (or should we say recycle) with the use of up-cycled canvas fabric taken from the archives and used in an innovative way. This all contributes to their aim of waste reduction. All the leather used is metal-free, and finished with a process which eliminates harmful metal chemicals from the leather.

This is a practical and hard-wearing bag that will get better with age (another trait of all Aspinal products) and become a favourite friend for everyday use. They can be personalised with initials too — a lovely gift for others (or yourself of course) — all in the knowledge that each purchase is helping the planet that little bit. 

The Henley Tote has a sportier edge with the cool stripes, ideal for a small overnight bag or heading to the beach — whether home or abroad it doubles as excellent hand luggage. Each bag is made as a limited edition of 50, so you know your bag has been carefully made by hand, using recycled materials. 

Bee Aspinal represents their sustainability strategy — the four P's: Planet, Partnership, People and Product — each challenging the growing carbon footprint of the planet and helping it slow. 

Aspinal Bee Foundation was set up to help combat the decline in British bees which are vital for ecological balance. Charmingly, the brand have an in-house beekeeper who looks after five hives producing up to 300 jars of homegrown honey each year. Aspinal’s local bees and wildlife in the South Downs National Park inspired their Bee and Daisy leather keyrings and bag charms, which are joyfully vibrant, like the wildlife itself.

The company partners with the South Downs National Park Trust who protect pollinators in the area, including bees and butterflies thriving amongst wildflowers whose number are growing, thanks to the Trust.