Sustainably Saint Belle

Saint Belle was founded on the belief that we need to be more mindful of our connection to the earth – to live consciously, in harmony with nature, and to respect the land that provides for us. We create clothing to inspire our community to be more connected to themselves, to others and to the environment. We do so in tandem with craftspeople and communities who bring our collections to life in an ethically minded and conscious way.

“Saint Belle was born out of a belief to create pieces that are beautifully considered, rich in meaning and quality with a story to be proud of.’ – Isabella Dryden

The art of dress making

Saint Belle is working with local makers to cut and sew by hand each piece in the Northeast of England. It starts with a sketch and through passion and skill transforms luxury fabrics into wearable pieces. Producing in small runs, offering quality over quantity is as important to us as the materials we work with.

Nurturing traditional skills

Many traditional craft skills are at risk of being lost as mass manufacturing provides a cheaper alternative with severe damaging environmental impact. Handwoven, handprinted and biodegradable fabrics have a strong presence in each of our collections. We embrace and support heritage, tradition and skill passed down through generations.

Made to last

Designing fewer collections for maximum longevity is part of our promise to cherish the planet. ‘Waste’ does not exist in the earth’s natural circular systems, in which all resources are used and fed back to the ecosystem and soil for future nourishment. We operate a zero-waste production, selectively sourcing and minimising volume of materials and resources. All fabric offcuts from the pattern cutting tables are used in our accessories collection.

Back to the soil

We design pieces in a way that ensure that they will not degrade the land if they are eventually disposed of or recycled. Our choice to use natural fibres such as organic cotton or linen ensures that the garments are of a luxury quality that can be worn and loved for many years and will ultimately biodegrade.

When natural fibres biodegrade, they return carbon to the soil which provides nutrients for growth, compared to synthetic fibres such as polyester which takes decades to decompose and damage the soil in the process.

Love and care

We know pieces purchased from Saint Belle are investment pieces and want to provide the support for you to enjoy your garments for a very long time. One of the best things we can do for the planet is to slow down and extend the life of our clothes. If you have questions about washing, storing, or repairing your garments, we invite you to send us an email at hello@saintbelle.co.uk

Fibres and Fabric

Natural fibres derived from plants have always been the first choice at Saint Belle. Certified organic cotton was the first fibre we launched with, handspun and handwoven into the finest cloth each year since 2020. In 2021 we introduced natural dye block print fabrics, a traditional artisan technique sourced in Bangalore, India. We more recently introduced Irish Linen as an alternative, a structured plant-based fibre celebrated for durability and breathability.

Packaging

Consideration for where we source our materials extends beyond our products and into our packaging. We avoid unnecessary packaging where possible and embrace recycled and recyclable solutions. Our bags and boxes are made from recycled cardboard and paper that is 100% recyclable. Our gold embossed swing tags are handmade by a female lead printing studio in Devon.

Looking to the future

As a small business we understand the urgency of our planets health and accept that sustainability is a journey of responsible practices and continuous education in our community. We are ambitious, determined, and thankful to be able to continue this journey with you.