5 natural, organic and sustainable gifts from up-and-coming Cork companies
Determined to shop local this year?
If you’re seeking to spoil an environmentally-minded mate or you’d prefer to spend your Christmas gifting budget where it will be very much appreciated by hard-working start-ups, there are plenty of top-notch choices here in Cork this year.
From stylish kicks made from fruit (yes, really) to cool organic tees and outrageously gorgeous therapeutic oils and balms, there’s a perfect present waiting to delight in every budget.
Here are five Cork companies to shop this Christmas:
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1. SAMPLA SHOES
Inspired by the classic tennis silhouettes of the Seventies and Eighties, Sampla’s shoes are unisex, designed in Cork and ethically crafted in Portugal using vegan materials.
The upper part of the shoes is made from apple skin, which is produced by repurposing leftover apple waste from the juice industry in Bolzano, northern Italy. Not only are they stylish and comfy, but they also come in an organic cotton Sampla tote bag and the company plants an indigenous tree for every customer.
SHOP: You can now order the Elppá (yep- that’s ‘apple’ spelled backwards) in a variety of colourways, €139 at samplafootwear.com.
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2. NAIVILO DEODORANT
Reconsidering your deodorant choice is one of the best things you can do to clean up your daily routine.
In fact, nature-loving Kinsale scientist Olivia Norman believes in the benefits so strongly that she left her hospital laboratory job to set up Naivilo, a company specialising in luxurious Prebiotic Natural Deodorant Balms.
The challenge of an underactive thyroid prompted Olivia to examine the hormone interruption caused by ingredients frequently found in antiperspirants and deodorants.
The Naivilo range nourishes your underarm skin so you can sweat without worrying about unpleasant body odour. The products are free from SLS, parabens, artificial fragrances. alcohol, baking soda or palm oil.
SHOP: Naivilo Prebiotic Deodorants are €15 at naivilo.com/store, with free shipping for orders over €70 in Ireland.
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3. GROUND WELLBEING
Developed by Cork spa guru Peigín Crowley, GROUND Wellbeing is now front and centre in many of the most luxurious spas in Ireland, from The Europe in Killarney to the Hayfield Manor here in town.
Just in time for Christmas, the brand has launched a collection of gorgeous Wellness Gift Boxes entitled ‘tóg go bog é’, initing gift giers to “Say it with wellness, with beautiful GROUND gifts that uplift, support, soothe and comfort, and encourage others to take it softly on themselves.’”
SHOP: We love The Awakening (€35), which includes Codladh Sleep Pillow Spray and Beo Focus Room and Clothing Spray to uplift and energise, encourage focus and concentration. groundwellbeing.com
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4. SEASQUARED
Having found that the Irish market lacked a sustainable clothing option for their generation, 24-year-old friends Colm O’Driscoll and Cillian O’Mahony sat down during the lockdown and came up with a plan to launch their own.
Now the duo behind brand new West Cork clothing company SeaSquared is busy restocking to meet the demand for their unisex sweatshirts, hoodies, long sleeve shirts and cosy beanies.
SHOP: Prices start at €17.95 for the Organic Cotton Beanie. Shop the range at seasquaredclothing.com.
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5. SÓMAS STUDIO
If you know someone who adores their candles, the new Body collection by Cork brand SÓMAS will go down a treat this Christmas.
There are two new luscious additions; a Black Fig & Vetiver Salt Vitamin-E Scrub – formulated with dead sea salt, shea butter, and botanical oils and a Black Fig & Vetiver Sweet Almond Body Oil with vegetable squalane and jojoba seed oil, now available to buy in the Sómas shop, both designed to help you “unwind and immerse in the Sómas moments of joy”.
SHOP: The Sómas Body collection is available now at somasstudio.com.
