Earthy elegance describes a design style and aesthetic that combines natural, organic elements with a sophisticated, polished, and timeless appeal. It emphasizes a neutral colour palette inspired by nature, such as warm beiges and rich browns, along with raw, natural textures and materials.
These are the attributes of Earthly Elegance, a fashion brand founded by Zacha van Wyk. As the Founder and Creative Director of the company, Zacha says, she wanted all these qualities and traits to define her brand’s identity.
Her role involves implementing and overseeing the overall vision, strategy, and operations of the brand. With a background as a Social Worker, Zacha brings a strong community-centered approach to the brand. She says her key role focuses on ensuring that the brand remains committed to environmental sustainability. She says ensuring that creativity, ethics, and empowerment are at the core of their work. Earthly Elegance transforms textile and plastic waste into functional products.
“Our boutique offers a curated collection of upcycled garments, accessories, handmade bags, and leather goods. Each piece is handcrafted by local artisans who breathe new life into discarded materials. By creatively repurposing waste, we turn what would otherwise pollute the environment into wearable art and timeless treasures, says Zacha.
At the heart of their work is circularity and extending the lifecycle of textiles through design innovation and community-based craftsmanship. Zacha says, instead of seeing waste as an end, they view it as the beginning of something valuable.
“Our products combine contemporary style with environmental responsibility, proving that sustainability and elegance can coexist. With our brand, sustainability is not just a practice, but a lifestyle, a movement, and an invitation to reimagine the relationship between fashion, people, and the planet,” she says.
Beyond leadership, Earthy Elegance thrives as a collective of South African women artisans. Their team includes non-matriculants, retired nurses, and working mothers who contribute their unique skills. The women make from crocheted earrings, hand-knitted motifs, to handcrafted handbags and accessories.
They are called barefoot shoes because of their minimalist design, with a thin, flexible sole, zero heel drop, and wide toe box which allows for a natural foot movement and a close-to-the-ground feel, similar to being barefoot, while still offering protection from hazards.
Aard Shoes is a footwear brand, based in Cape Town, South Africa, that is known to make the type of shoes commonly known as the ‘barefoot shoes’.
Zoë van der Westhuizen, founder of the company says that Aard Shoes is more than just a footwear brand, but a labour of love, craftsmanship, and deep respect for both people and the planet. She says, “When I took over the South African branch of Earth Sole and rebranded it as Aard Shoes, my goal was to continue creating grounding, barefoot footwear that honours natural movement while embracing sustainability and mindful living.”
Earth Sole is the original brand that inspired the journey of Aard Shoes. They started in 2020 in Cape Town, and the two companies continue in a partnership that allows Aard Shoes to remain a locally produced product.
“Our shoes are handmade in Noordhoek, Cape Town, by a talented team of artisans who put care into every stitch. We use repurposed leather, transforming what would have been discarded into something beautiful and functional. This not only reduces waste but also ensures that every pair is unique and no two shoes are exactly the same. The soft, flexible leather soles are at the heart of what makes Aard Shoes special. Designed to mold to your feet, they allow for natural movement while keeping you grounded. Unlike modern shoes that can feel rigid and restrictive, Aard Shoes move with you, offering comfort, durability, and a barefoot feel that allows your body to function as it was designed to,” says Zoë.
Zoë says Aard Shoes isn’t just about personal well-being as well as ethical and sustainable choices. She says all their materials are sourced with minimal environmental impact, and every purchase contributes to something bigger.
“I truly believe that what we wear matters—not just for how it looks, but for how it feels and the impact it leaves behind. Aard Shoes is an extension of that philosophy: footwear that respects your body, the craft of shoemaking, and the earth itself,” she says.
Gallery N can be best described as an exhibition of artistic, bold, uniquely designed jewellery, that showcases handmade work of Nina Tryndina, founder and jewellery designer.
It is a brand that showcases a range of natural, fresh, timeless and clean aesthetic jewellery pieces. Some of the designs, exhibit an eclectic flair, deliberately blending vintage and modern design elements giving a captivating interplay and adding depth and character to the jewellery.
“My pieces are bold and experimental, shaped by a love for rough, stone-like textures you don’t usually see in jewellery. I don’t follow trends. I follow form, feel, and the story each piece wants to tell,” says Nina.
The Gallery N statement pieces are designed to be a focal point of an outfit, expressing individuality and creating a strong visual impact.
“I find inspiration in nature, stones, textures, and cosmic shapes. I then sketch and sculpt each piece by hand until it feels bold, balanced, and alive,” she says.
Born in Siberia, a large region located in Northern Asia, in Russia, but currently lives in San Francisco, in California, United States of America, Nina says the two different worlds have shaped how she sees and creates her jewellery.
“I’ve always loved sculpting, painting and dressing up, but I could never find the perfect jewellery to match how I felt. So I started making my own jewellery pieces,” says Nina.
“I believe jewellery should speak for itself. It’s not only about the designer, but about the energy it carries, and how it makes you feel. I make jewellery for open minds, outside-the-box thinkers, and anyone brave enough to wear art on their skin,” she says.
All Gallery N jewellery are handmade in small batches. Nina says, every ring, earring, or bracelet feels personal and intentional. She says that she keeps her footprint as light as possible by using mindful materials, and making only what is needed and uses recyclable, plastic-free materials all the time.
Hey Kido, is a small handmade crochet bag business that started quite unexpectedly according to the owner, Aimee Sinclair. “I first made a bag for myself, and soon people began asking where they could get one,” says Aimee. “At the heart of my business is a deep love for crocheting and a passion for sustainability. I create each bag with care, using high-quality, eco-friendly materials to ensure that every piece is not only stylish but also kind to the planet. My choice of materials is intentional, whether it’s recycled yarn or sustainably sourced fibers each one contributes to minimizing environmental impact while still delivering durability and beauty,” she says.
Aimee Sinclair
“Kido is a small handmade crochet bag business that started quite unexpectedly. I first made a bag for myself, and soon people began asking where they could get one. The name ‘Kido’ is in honour of my dad, who always called people by that nickname. Each bag I create carries a story, often inspired by a loved one I’ve lost or someone who means a great deal to me. It’s more than just a bag, t’s a memory you can carry with you,” says Aimee.
Aimee says that the process of crocheting has always been her creative outlet, allowing her to design products that are both timeless and unique. She says every stitch represents her dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability, and she hopes that her creations will inspire others to make mindful choices too.
“To add a bit of sass and luxury, I incorporate silk ribbons into my designs—offering a playful yet refined touch that elevates the overall look. The brand is not just about fashion, but about celebrating conscious, sustainable living, one bag at a time,” she adds.
