Continuing our virtual Climate Café where we look at people and places making a positive contribution to our future . By Benita Matofska
The Climate Fashion Destination : Circles
More than a store , this new Brighton gem of a place prides itself on being a home for the circular economy . And it ’ s easy to see why . Beautifully curated , high quality pre-loved clothes and creatively repaired pieces brush shoulders with timeless homewares just waiting to be rediscovered and reloved .
Circles was founded by Brighton-born ethical fashion aficionado Jules Hau . With over 30 years spent in eco fashion , Jules is on a mission to inspire a sustainable , mindful and creative lifestyle . It ’ s not just about circles of fashion , but circles of wellbeing and community too . Downstairs hosts a treasure trove of secondhand designer , boutique , vintage clothes and accessories . On my recent visit I found brands ranging from Isabel Marant , Diane Von Furstenburg , Stella McCartney , to my personal favourite Essential Antwerp . All the glamour minus the guilt – so I snapped up a vintage Biba silk , embroidered , red-green-orange top .
But Circles is more than your average consignment store . Yes , you can sell your designer items by appointment , or discover something unique to buy , but upstairs is another part of the story . Here you ’ ll find a wellbeing space offering massage , qi-gong , mindful treatments and sustainably focussed events . I ’ m something of a connoisseur of Brighton ’ s many pre-loved haunts , but Circles feels different . Maybe it ’ s Jules ’ s innate knowledge of ethical fashion , or her personal style that ’ s infused throughout . I can ’ t help but feel that it ’ s her loveliness and genuine care for the planet that will warm the heart of any discerning eco fashionista . Circles Store is open Tuesday to Sunday and can be found at 21-23 Church Street , BN1 1RB . For info : https :// www . circlesstore . co . uk /
The Climate Network : Climate Women
OK so full disclosure ( now she tells us ), Jules is also Co-founder of Climate Women , an initiative we started together in January this year . The concept is simple - a monthly circle and network for women who are passionate about the planet . We gather ( in the Circles wellbeing space ) on the last Wednesday of the month to create , support , swap ideas and deliver climate action . Having been active as a speaker , writer and campaigner , with most of my activities focussed nationally and globally , it felt time to turn attention to starting something on my Brighton doorstep .
Both Jules and I feel that given women ’ s role in taking climate action , it ’ s time to build something for ourselves . Notably , women
Continuing our virtual Climate Café where we look at people and places making a positive contribution to our future . By Benita Matofska
lead on political environmental change , and once elected to office are more likely to deliver social and climate legislation – from Caroline Lucas , to Jacinda Ardern , Christiana Figueres , and Wangaari Mathai . Women lead more eco lifestyles too . A British study by Mintel showed that 71 % of women try to live more ethically compared to 59 % of men .
In the global South , women recycle more frequently , buy organic food and support energy efficiency . Women are also building more sustainable businesses , with greater investments into environmentally friendly business processes to reduce emissions . But all this comes at a price , with many women climate actors suffering burnout , climate anxiety and depressions . Climate Women provides a safe space to talk , listen , create and act . It has proven to be popular with ( each event sold out well in advance . Each circle focusses on a theme from climate optimism , to wellbeing and our relationship with fashion .
We make individual pledges to act , as we believe small actions create ripples of impact and lead to big change . March saw our first local fundraiser in aid of The Real Junk Food Project raising £ 600 in a two-hour clothes swap bonanza . We ’ ve been asked to bring Climate Women to other cities , but for now at least our focus is to think global and change local . Climate Women events take place on the last Wednesday of the month from 6.30 – 9pm at Circles , 21-23 Church Street , BN1 1RB . Tickets : https :// www . eventbrite . com / e / climate-women-brighton-a-monthly-circle-forplanet-conscious-women-tickets-796010668337
The Climate Event : The Great Big Green Week ( June 8th-16th )
The UK ’ s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change , protect nature and talk about local action . The theme this year is ‘ swap together for good ’ – inspiring swaps created by communities to make a better tomorrow . Climate Women are joining forces with the lovely folks at the communityowned Exeter Street Hall who are organising the Prestonville Great Big Green Weekend on June 8 & 9 . On Sunday 9th , we ’ ll be delivering another clothes swap from 2.30pm with tea , coffee and cakes . Funds raised will support Exteter Street Hall and The Real Junk Food Project . You can sign up for plant and pot swaps , the Prestonville litter pick , a skills share ( learn to crochet ?); there ’ s bug house making for kids or why not join the repair café ? What ’ s not to love ?
Prestonville Great Big Green Weekend will take place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June at Exeter Street Hall , For more info visit : https :// exeterstreethall . org / For The Great Big Green Week full list of events visit https :// greatbiggreenweek . com /
Benita Matofska is a public speaker , writer , consultant and author of Generation Share , available from independent bookstores . Each copy is ethically produced , feeds and educates a girl in the slums in Mumbai and plants a tree .