Brand Spotlight: Sarala The Label

Outfit: Jumpsuits - Sarala The Label / Shoes: Charles & Keith and Dune London

 Happy International Women's Day my lovelies! Let's celebrate our power, our strength, our courage and our constant determination and stride into a better tomorrow. We are something else, aren't we ladies? 

Today I wanted to celebrate women by dedicating this post to a local independent Sri Lankan brand, Sarala The Label. Founded by the gorgeous Minaali, the brand was established last year and is "slow made fashion brand"; by that, Minaali says that her process of designing and creating is methodical and well thought-out. Pieces are made with the intention of being timeless and versatile, minimal and good quality. 

Sarala was born out of Minaali's desire to invest in high quality pieces that would create "an intentional wardrobe". Upon searching locally, finding pieces that aligned with her values on her budget, attempting to turn to ordering clothes but being discouraged by international shipping prices, Minaali found a gap in the market. The textile industry in Sri Lanka is a major market, as one of the highest exports from the nation, which makes sourcing material and creating pieces far easier. 

The brand works with 100% "earth-friendly, sustainable and long-lasting" linen and currently has three key pieces; the Sonnet co-ord, the Sol dress and the Oasis jumpsuit (pictured above on me). When it comes to new pieces, Minaali says she is in no rush to bring out pieces or planning collections because she's more focused on the importance of creating pieces, making them quality and paying for that quality in fabric and composition with all pieces being hand-sewn.

Taking inspiration from her mother's style, Minaali's intention is to make pieces that are season-less and fit anyone at any age or style. 

Minaali calls Sarala "a one woman show with a lot of support from the people in her life". Her small team includes her seamstress, Malkanthi, and her two employees, as well as Minaali's mother, Marina, uncle, Mario and even her tuk-tuk driver, Perera. This brand is homegrown and personal and embodies Minaali's philosophy of slow fashion with quality, lifestyle and aesthetics. 

"Sarala pieces are for life", Minaali tells me and this can be seen in their versatility and effortlessness. I was so grateful when Minaali asked me to be the first collaborator with her brand. I found Sarala and Minaali through a friend of a friend and it's not only opened my eyes to a beautiful brand but also to a lovely person! 

Above, I'm wearing the Oasis jumpsuit in black and terracotta. What I love about these jumpsuits is the adjustable tie waist with a paperbag frill detailing, the boat neck and subtle yet sexy side cutout detailing. This jumpsuit is so versatile; it can be worn with your favourite flat sandals for everyday, dressed up with heels for a dinner or even pair with a shirt underneath for a comfy, cool work look. The same can be said for the other pieces too and that shows Minaali's intention to create pieces that are made for forever. 

You can shop the brand through the brand's Instagram or via Local Forecast now. Follow Sarala for new updates because I know some new pieces are headed our way. 

I hope you enjoyed this post! Please do continue to support your girls, especially if they have businesses that need you during this time. Continue to spread love, be kind and fight the good fight. 

*This post is not sponsored or an advertorial. The pieces are a gift (black) & PR loan (terracotta)*

Sending you lots of love and hoping you're staying safe and well. 

Emily xx

10 Small Businesses To Shop From This Black Friday/Cyber Week

 Earrings - Duende (linked below!) / Jumper - Zara (old)

November has literally flown by, I don’t know where the time has gone. With the end of the month comes Black Friday, or if you’re up for spending Monday to Friday on this final week of November, Cyber Week. 

Now usually I would spend my time scrolling through my favourite high street and high end retailers, racking up wishlists of items I cannot simply stop thinking about. And I will continue to do this because I’m only human but this year, we have an opportunity to do something a little different. 

With the impacts of COVID-19 and lockdowns across the globe, businesses have been effected on every level, especially small homegrown businesses. People with passions and talents are facing hardships they didn’t intend for. It’s been hard for everyone, but I genuinely feel a little more for those who run businesses off their own back. 

Because of this, I wanted to share some small businesses that I’ve found, that you have recommended to me, in the hopes that this year rather than spending our coin on our usual favourite brands, we’d give them to those hard working small businesses owners who probably need it more. And let me tell you, you’ll definitely find things that are far more unique than what you’ll find elsewhere. 

Audrey Leighton Vintage

Audrey is one of my favourite creators in the digital space. She’s unique, she’s real and her creative eye is just next level. I’m so glad that she started her own businesses alongside her content creation because her style is beyond amazing. Along with sourcing the most incredible vintage pieces, Audrey has also launched her own designs in the brand including the most perfect wrap dress and the pearl strap fitted dress of dreams. If I could buy every single collection, I would. She launches a new collection at the end of every month and for November, this lands on Black Friday. If you want pure elegance for yourself or for Christmas presents for the ladies in your life, ALV is the place. 

Komas Beauty

When I found out about this brand, I could not be more excited because it's owned and created by my gorgeous girl, Sarah. We have been friends for over 10 years now and I cannot tell you how many fun memories we've had together; The Grateful Dead will forever be ours my love. She's always been considered our very own "mermaid" and her brand's first eyeshadow palette perfectly reflects that. As a Maldivian girl, she is one with the sea and her vegan & cruelty free Moodhu palette is filled with odes to that as well as beautiful neutrals and shimmers. I cannot stress how happy I am about this palette (I'm impatiently waiting for mine to arrive at my door) and about this brand. So please go show it some love, you will not be disappointed. Congratulations Sarah, I love you!

Jet Noire

I came across Jet Noire after working on an article for Fashion Comes First and I fell in love with the brand and the owner, Mya. We had a chat over Zoom and I learnt about all the brand. Mya is quite literally the brains behind the brand; she does everything from designing to sewing to photography to selling. She’s hands on and that’s what I love about her and her brand. Jet Noire was born whilst Mya was in lockdown in Atlanta, Georgia, her hometown, and she has created the most beautiful pieces. You’re not going to want to miss out. 

Read my article about Mya & Jet Noire over on Fashion Comes First to learn more!

Kanya London

This brand was introduced to me thanks to Reena Rai and I could not be more happy that she shared it because oh my god. As a Desi girl, I am always going to need a sari at some point and now I've found Kanya, I know where my next sari purchase will be from. I am utterly obsessed with the Corset sari - I've never seen anything like it before and it's so on trend whilst also being timeless. I'm quite literally dreaming of this sari and a reason to wear it. I'd take it in every colour. The colour ways and styles of all the sarees, lenghas, dresses and more are just so rich and elegant that I cannot recommend anywhere more for your Desi girl needs. It's all ethically made whilst being extra sassy. Can you tell I'm obsessed?

Because Of Alice

I just found this brand on Instagram and I adore it. It's the perfect brand for statement basics that are versatile and can be worn for any occasions. I've been following Alice on her personal Instagram for a while now and absolutely adore her style, so of course I'm going to love her brand. Her pieces just say "rich" to me, in the best way - like dressed for success. They are definitely power pieces worth spending your money on.  

Odd Muse

Another Instagram find that says "rich" to me with elevated wardrobe staples that will have you feeling your best. The fact that their story literally says "investment fashion" pulls me right in. It's important to buy pieces that will not only look and feel good but will stand the test of time and Odd Muse does that. Notable pieces are the "Ultimate Muse Blazer" and the "Muse Leather Body" - they are stunning and need to be in my wardrobe immediately. 

The Nuevo Edit

Another brand with timeless pieces that range from loungewear to everyday wear, The Nuevo Edit is a winner. For me, it's the knit pieces that are very Khaite-esque and gorgeous. Plus the price points are amazing. Watch me eventually bag all the pieces because I love. Also I love that this is a brand built by two friends, Francesca & Laura, who just love fashion, it shows. 

Sport-Luxe

We are all living in loungewear right now for the majority of our days, so when I found Sport-Luxe, I was sold. These vintage inspired minimal pieces are perfect for those casual days, but with a little bit of added edge. The logo print is super cute and the colour ways the pieces come in are staple. They look comfy, the aesthetic is gorgeous. Yeah, basically new favourite for luxe 'sportswear'.

Luna Linx Jewellery

I only just learnt about this brand because it's actually created by the lovely Alexandra, who I went to secondary school with. Alexandra makes these absolutely gorgeous handmade jewellery that comes in sterling silver, gold-plated and vermeil and are perfect for everyday wear. With astrological and abstract inspired pieces, these uniquely beautiful. I also think they are perfect gifts for the holiday season for your friends or family! My favourite piece has to be the abstract face earrings, pictured above. Everything is made by Alexandra in the UK and ships worldwide!

Duende

Sometimes I'm truly grateful for advertising on Instagram because it led me to this Sri Lankan jewellery brand that just encompassed my pearl jewellery love. My pearl hoops from Duende are statement yet elegant; you can wear them day to night and honestly, they make you feel super sassy so I would recommend them to everyone who has a love of pearls and big hoop earrings. Even if you are not a pearl person, there's also other styles of earrings that you're bound to love at amazing quality and price. 

So there you have it; 10 brands that you should spend your money on this Cyber Week/Black Friday. I know that deals are completely and utterly enticing, and sure it's a definite possibility that we will still spend our money in our favourite stores, but take the time to explore other alternatives. There are some incredible creators out there who deserve our love and support, especially in these crazy times. Also, smaller businesses are going to offer some beautifully unique pieces and what's not to love about that. 

Happy Shopping! 

Hope you're all staying safe and well!

Lots of Love, 

Emily xx

10+ Sri Lankan Brands You Need To Know

Lois London

Things are slowly shifting across the world to regain a different kind of normalcy, and while restrictions lift and change, we still have to adhere to some basic rules. Keep washing your hands, wear your face masks when you go out and socially distance because we aren't in the clear yet. 

Since summer is here as well and the prospect of travelling is not truly in the cards, I wanted to focus on supporting my local community. I'm currently in Sri Lanka, and honestly, there's no better place to be. With that in mind, I wanted to think about ways I can support businesses or people here during this time. And as everyone's moving with a little more freedom of movement, it may just be an excuse to update your wardrobe. So I wanted to share some Sri Lankan brands that I found and that have been suggested to me that are just too stunning to not support.

*All images sourced via Instagram & Brand sites*

 

Persona Apparel

I thought it would be perfect to start with Persona because we still need to stay safe, protect ourselves and others, so why not invest in a mask. My friend, Mehr, actually shared this brand with me and I'm glad she did. These face masks are washable, reusable and far cooler than those medical ones. You can also get delivery island wide too! Also, they are super affordable and come in various designs!

 

Aadna Jewellery

My mum actually found this one while scrolling through Instagram (thank you promotions/adverts). I was instantly drawn to the brand because of their dainty gold chain pieces, but as I scrolled further through their Instagram, the list of pieces I suddenly wanted started to add up. It's truly a brand to buy staple jewellery pieces from that you can stack and mix and match with.

 

Maus

I discovered Maus by the PR boutique here in Sri Lanka and I'm so glad I did. The brand has clothing, swimwear, footwear and accessories ranges that are stunning and on-trend. In statement solid colours, their clothing line allows for versatile wear and accessorising. Some of my favourite pieces have to be the Classic Shirt Dress and Lace Up Heels that I need to get my hands on immediately. 

  

Lois London

I cannot express how much I love the pieces from this brand, they are absolutely stunning. Designer Radhika Perera-Hernandez, like me, is a British-born Sri Lankan who's style influenced by both the East and West. Her gowns are extremely elegant and perfect for any major occasion you have coming up. A piece that you have to check out is the Endless Dress - with detachable and adjustable straps, it can be worn in countless ways for multiple stylings so you'll never get bored. 

  

Anuk

Another brand that was both recommended to me and that I found on PR. Anuk is such a beautiful brand with gorgeous silhouettes that are perfect for island life. I love their aesthetic and the simplicity of their clothing that allows for dynamic and multiple wear. I also adore that they describe themselves as designing their brand around "lazy elegance" and there's nothing more that I relate to. That's all I have to say. 

  

 

The Design Collective

Okay if you want to find a range of Sri Lankan brands/designers, The Design Collective is most definitely one of the first places you should try. With over 50 Sri Lankan and South Asian brands across the board of clothing, accessories and beauty, you'll find something for you. Some of the brands that I have to mention are; 

Nika by Rukshani

Ilena The Label

Pigeon Island Swimwear

Seda

Aquilla Swimwear

Maia

The Silk Body

Coast Botanics

Iris Garden

I've tried and tested Iris Garden's Fuller's Earth Facial Pack and I love it. It was so beneficial when my skin was having an awful time with breakouts and pigmentation and I still use it now on a regular basis. It's 100% Vegetarian and organic, as well as suitable for all skin types. It's a mixture of Fuller's Earth (a flour mix), Turmeric and Gram Flour and you mix it with water for a really easy face mask. You can also mix it with things like coconut water, almond milk, rose water or honey and curd - depending on the texture you want. It's a great mask and for that reason I know that I would trust all their products. It's great value for money and perfect for all the natural beauty lovers out there.

 

Absolute

If there's anything we should and can have endless of amounts of, it's wardrobe basics. Absolute is a brand that focuses on the essentials such as T-shirts, shirts and dresses in versatile colours and styles. Baring in mind that I need to add some new basics into my wardrobe, I'm going to start here. Of course the t-shirts are the first thing that drew my eye to this brand, but I also really love their slip dress as well because I could definitely see myself living in it - just hanging out at home but need to be dressed? Put on the slip. A casual lunch? Wear the slip. Dinner and you've got nothing to wear? Jazz up the slip. I always find that essentials and basics like these have limitless uses and give you all the more reason to purchase one (or multiple). 

 

 

Nakota Tuwa

Another brand that I found on Instagram and that I'm now obsessed with is Nakota Tuwa. It's the perfect brand for Island wear; floaty, comfy looking silhouettes that make you want to be by the beach all day. They have women and menswear, so there's something for everyone in classic styles and colours that allow for versatile wear. Their maxi dresses have caught my eye and I want every single one. These are styles that my mum and I wear on a regular basis, so of course I am in love. They also have yoga wear pieces that are so cute.

 

 

Duduchava

I swear, Instagram just knows what I'm looking for because I keep finding gorgeous brands that I hadn't heard of! Duduchava is a super sweet brand that creates pieces perfect for island life. Their current collection is dedicated to "home", designed and inspired by lockdown with navy & off-white pieces made from what looks like super comfy organic cotton. The other piece that I came across from the brand that I'm truly obsessed with is the Noémie dress - and you will see why. It's such a stunning on trend dress with this gorgeous gathered design to one side. Yeah, so I'm in love with that piece. Such a gorgeous brand that you have to check out!

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These are simply a few out of countless brands that are born in Sri Lankan or by Sri Lankans. I have loved finding them and sharing with you. We all know about the high street and designer brands that everyone shops from, but it's also nice to look at brands that are locally designed and developed. So wherever you are in the world, find those smaller businesses that you can support right now when they probably need it most! And if you're in Sri Lanka, check out these brands and if you already know of some that I haven't included, please send them through to me! I'd love to know as many as I can. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Hoping you're staying safe and well!

Lots of Love, 

Emily xx