10 Womxn-founded businesses to support for International Women’s Day 2022

: Who runs the world? Well, contrary to Beyoncé, mostly men. According to Startups, as of May 2021, 82% of business founders identify as male. But, with International Women’s Day just around the corner, here are some brilliant female-led brands to support. Link in bio!

Who runs the world? Well, contrary to Beyoncé, mostly men. According to Startups, as of May 2021, 82% of business founders identify as male

But women-led businesses aren’t hiding in the shadows; far from it! The rise of the female entrepreneur is inspiring to say the least, from fashion to jewellery, homewares to tasty bakes and much more.

And we think that’s worth celebrating.

With International Women’s Day (IWD) just around the corner on March 8th, we’ve rounded up our top picks of women shaking up the status quo. To help you find your new favourite online store, and to help the campaigners behind this year’s IWD initiative to #BreakTheBias.

And of course, each on our list shares our love for the planet, too. Because sustainability is so 2022…

Verdant Alchemy 

Like many great stories, this alchemy-based brand starts with a bath. 

Founder Vivien Leung, burned out from travelling for demanding work schedules (sound familiar?), wanted a way to restore her mind and body without a visit to the pharmacy.

Verdant Alchemy brings the power of 100% natural, chemical-free ingredients like magnesium to your bathroom to help you do just that, through their signature bath salts, oils and soaks. 

Better still, everything is vegan, sustainably sourced and certified COSMOS natural by the Soil Association. Time to fill up the tub, then.

Our Halcyon choice: Deep Drift Herbal Bath

Chamomile flowers, lavender, cedarwood, and ylang-ylang come together to give you permission to unwind before a deep night’s sleep.

Luxtra London 

Who knew that luxury handbags could be made from pineapple, apples and cacti? “Serial ethical entrepreneur” Jessica Kruger did. 

She set up Luxtra London in 2018 to bridge the gap for luxury accessories without the need for cruel practices and animal skins. Now a certified B Corporation, they proudly celebrate diversity within their entire supply chain. We love to see it. 

Our Halcyon choice: Black Vegan Mini Handbag, The Nina

Peta approved, glossy and perfectly sized to carry those essentials, it comes with a detachable shoulder strap, too.

Flo 

Many of us have been caught short in public bathrooms when it comes to period products, but how many of us have stopped to ask why so many of the usual contenders aren’t organic or kind to our skin? Or contain a cramp-inducing amount of single-use plastic?

It was these questions that sparked best-friend-founders Tara and Susan to launch Here We Flo in 2017, with a range of organic and natural sanitary products to keep both your body and the planet safe. 

Our Halcyon choice: The Combo Applicator Pack

They use sugarcane over plastic for their applicators, making them 95% plant-based. Plus, each product sold donates 5% to charities working to banish period poverty around the world. 

Cake or Death 

Vegan brownies that get delivered straight through your letterbox? We’ll take one of each, please. 

Founder Katie Cross knows the way to our hearts (and yours, no doubt) with these mouth-watering bakes, delivered in their signature hot pink leopard print box. 

Think you can’t make a good brownie without animal products? Think again!

Our Halcyon choice: Surprise Box

Seriously, we can’t choose between Biscoff, Salted Caramel and Cherry Bakewell. If you can’t either, try the Surprise Box for a mix and match treat.

Partner in Wine

If you’ve ever taken a bottle of wine to a picnic only to be left with warm rosé or sweaty sauvignon (not so nice), then this one is for you.

Founder Lucy wanted a way to keep her favourite tipple at the perfect temperature, so developed a cool bottle, especially for wine.

Our Halcyon Choice: The Partner in Wine Bottle – Desert Sand

BPA free and made from stainless steel, it’ll keep a full 750ml bottle of wine chilled for up to 24 hours (if you can make the vino last that long!).

La Basketry

La Basketry, founded by craft-lover and author Tabara N’Diaye, supports artisan weavers in Senegal, working to keep the traditional craft of basket weaving alive and thriving. 

Each product has been handmade by talented women using sustainably sourced materials, and in 2020, they launched a range of DIY craft kits if you fancy weaving your very own basket at home.

Our Halcyon Choice: Handwoven Placemat

Recycled plastics and native Senegalese grasses weave together to set your table in style, perfect for the dinner parties filling up your diary.

TALA

Shaking up the activewear space is TALA, the sustainable apparel brand from Gen-Z powerhouse, Grave Beverley. 

Impressively, the brand just secured a £4.2million investment, helping to reduce the gap of female-led startups gaining financial backing, (they receive less than 1% of VC investment in Europe!) and bring sustainably-led fashion to the mass market.

Our Halcyon Choice: DAYFLEX Wrap High Waisted Legging

Made from 75% recycled nylon and 25% LYCRA® Sport, these leggings have been famed for their skin-like feel. They even have a secret pocket, and all of their tags are plantable!

Toomey & Koko

A new brand on the fashion scene, founder Kofo Jegede brings her passion for Nigerian fashion to the UK high street. 

Working with artisans in southern Nigeria and using sustainably sourced fabrics, their debut capsule collection is a celebration of culture and pattern that waves goodbye to destructive fast-fashion models. 

Our Halcyon Choice: Ife Trousers

This flattering cigarette cut is a favourite of ours, and we think you’ll love it too. The fabric is hand-drawn and dyed with traditional techniques, from 100% ethically sourced cotton.

Sancho’s Shop

This lifestyle brand will become your go-to shopping hot spot.

Founded by social entrepreneur and environmental campaigner Kalkidan Legesse, you’ll find clothing, jewellery and lifestyle goods at this Holly and Co. awarded High Street Shop of the Year.

Our Halcyon Choice: Oyster Catcher Gold Stud Earrings

These come from ethical brand Nula. They’re made from infinitely recyclable eco-friendly stainless steel, making them the perfect accessory to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring. 

Halcyon Naturals

And of course, we must mention that we too are female-founded! And proud of it. 

Sarah dreamt up our unique brand from a want to create freedom through the power of aromachology, with scents that are kind to both you and the environment. 

Our Halcyon Choice: Aries

From our brand new Illustrious Elements collection, this powerful scent is packed with frankincense, lemon and rosemary.

Sources
Startup: 82% of founders are male, May 2021
Verdant Alchemy: COSMOS certified
Luxtra London: Brand story, “serial entrepreneur”
Luxtra London: Diverse supply chain
Here We Flo: Charity donations with purchase and sustainability promise
TALA: £4.2million investment
TALA: Female-founded brands receive less than 1% of VC capital investment in Europe

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