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things we're proud of
We put our hearts into making clothes, running shops, and everything we do. A big part of that is to put into action our company's core values. We feel proud of the work we do supporting local projects, looking after the environment and getting involved with our local community.
Blogs regularly updated by members of the Seasalt team.
visit to Buckingham Palace
19/03/10 - Neil
Hi Everyone, I really want to tell you about my visit to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening.
There were about 200 people there, from all sorts of backgrounds, but all connected with the fashion industry. It was very glitzy! Lots of famous people like Yasmin Le bon, Sophie Dahl, David Bailey, Hilary Alexander, Zandra Rhodes, Geoff Banks, and countless other recognisable people, mixing with big cheeses from large PLC’s. There were also people from education, universities and colleges, and also people like ourselves, that run small companies but are making a big impression.
Seasalt was invited because of our huge contribution to organic textiles in the UK. I know that we take it for granted now that we use a lot of organic cotton, but we were responsible in a large part for growing the popularity of Soil Association cotton and we are now very easily the largest user of Soil Association certified organic cotton in the country. So we quietly go on choosing to use the eco friendly option for our garments and what’s so nice to realise is that we have made very large impact!
Anyway, I arrived at 5.30, and after going through security at the gates, we were directed up a couple of flights of stairs and into a large room, that led to a small corridor where the Queen and the Duke were shaking hands with people as you went in. Your name was shouted out as you shook their hands. Very grand.
Once inside the main entertaining area, champagne was distributed freely, hobnobbing and networking followed, followed by more champagne. Then some nice little nibbles, cheese footballs, caviar, that kind of thing, all very lovely. And then the most exciting time of the evening. Chatting away to Karen Millen like you do, I was tapped on the shoulder and asked if I would like to be introduced to the Queen.
A group of 6 people formed a little semi circle and the Queen, looking beautiful in two- piece with matching handbag and shoes, quietly worked her way around and asked each of us individually what we did. She was absolutely charming, really taking time to listen about where we were from and what we did. We chatted about the use of organic textiles and Cornwall then as serenely as she arrived, she moved to the next semi circle. What a few minutes, I couldn’t believe it.
The rest of the evening I decided to soak up the surroundings and atmosphere. We were able to go round 4 large rooms, all very sparkly and covered in masterpieces. Also present, was Princess Michael of Kent, Countess of Wessex and Duke of Edinburgh.
And then at 8.45, as if to signify the end if the evening the waiters bought out some exquisite little passion fruit chocolates, which were delicious, and the evening came to a close. I stumbled back to the cloakroom, got my Eastpak rucksack and wandered off down the Mall, happy to be a part of such a wonderful company like ours.
What a fabulous evening, I wish I could have shared it all with you.
Neil x
seasalt ranked top for ethics
01/07/09 - matt
The 2009 Good Shopping Guide has just come out and we?e been ranked top UK fashion company for ethical conduct! In fact we were the only fashion company to get an ethical index score of 100! The guide is produced annually by the Ethical Company Organisation and gives detailed comparisons of leading UK companies across 60 product sectors.
good causes on the catwalk
chloe - 29/4/08
The kids from Devoran School put on a fashion show last week to raise funds for their school and we were happy to help out by providing some Seasalt clothing.
How great do they all look!
The beach dresses the girls are wearing are available in all our stores now - Find us in Falmouth, Penzance, Truro, Padstow, Fowey, Totnes, Scilly and St Ives.
reduce, re-use, recycle
simon iggulden 01/05/07
In our Seasalt stores we follow the three R’s wherever we can. For instance, we recycle all plastic packaging. Whether it is a Seasalt skirt or a White Stuff shirt, the wrapping around any new item is collected up and sent to our dedicated unit in Penryn. It is collected from here and turned into the plastic covering used on agricultural land. We are pleased to say that plenty of Cornish potatoes have been warmed up with the plastic we collect and recycle.
a greener message...
neil chadwick 15/04/07
We have been busy working alongside some great local organisations to help promote a greener Cornwall. Part of our contribution has been to help fund some ‘green’ boarding cards for passengers to the Isles of Scilly. Anyone travelling on the helicopter or Skybus to the islands will now receive a re-usable boarding card that carries an environmental message, helping visitors to have a greener holiday. Another way we have been spreading the word has been through some ‘visitor charter postcards’ that are being distributed across the southwest. They will reach 100,000 visitors, giving tips about how to be Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s favourite type of visitor. The messages on the postcards will encourage people to think local, use public transport and of course follow the three R’s wherever possible. Find out more…
helping to recycle on scilly
neil chadwick 12/03/07
Seasalt has just purchased six large recycling bins on Scilly. Scillywaste needed funding for six recycling bins to be dotted around the islands - and we were happy to help. Lookout for the bins and make sure you play your part - reduce - re-use - recycle.
falmouth school ID cards
neil chadwick - 15/02/07
Recently we were very pleased to give some cash to Falmouth School towards purchasing ID cards. Our sponsorship has enabled the school, in part, to purchase security software, card printer and cards for all visitors. Without the support of Seasalt, the school would have found it very difficult to introduce the scheme.
award winning seasalt
leigh chadwick 10/01/07
Not blowing our own trumpet (too much!) but we thought you may like to hear about some awards we’ve won here at Seasalt.
We’ve been named the UK’s best family business after winning the national final of the Yell Family Business Awards 2006 run by the publisher of the Yellow pages.
We also won the prestigious Cornwall Sustainability Award for Best Environmental Initiative in 2005 in recognition of our Soil Association certification on our organic cotton.
Neil Chadwick, Seasalt founder was named as Cornwall’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the Cornwall Business Awards 2006. This was partly due to Seasalt becoming the first fashion company to have garments certified to Soil Association standards. We won the ‘best family business’ category of the Orange Small Is Beautiful Awards in 2004.
We’ve also been recognised by Restormel Borough Council for the regeneration of our Fowey shop in 2003. We won design, conservation and environmental awards.
