July 2020 - Natural Collection Blog

Brand Story: Nkuku

Nkuku produce beautifully handmade home and lifestyle products. Every one of their products has a story to tell through the talented artisans that created them.

Nkuku was founded in 2003 by Ali and Alex Cooke. The brand was inspired after the pair set off on a year-long round the world trip. Through their travels, Ali and Alex were inspired and humbled by the talented craftspeople and their beautiful work. Upon returning from travelling they moved from their busy London home to rural Devon to start their next adventure.

Completely inspired and amazed by their travels, they then started to work with artisans from around the world. Ali and Alex were passionate about supporting and celebrating these artisan skills through bringing their products to a wider audience and sharing their talents with the world.

Brand Story: Zao

Zao create premium certified organic, 100% natural, vegan, cruelty free, sustainable and refillable makeup.

Zao makeup is owned by Cosm’Eika France and was co-founded in 2012 by four friends, David Reccole, Phillipe Donnat, Yvan Rouvier and Salima Macozzi Reccole. All four friends love nature and are passionate and conscious of the impact of consumption on the environment.

This is where the idea of Zao came from. The brand was created to align with the strong values of its owners where there was a passion for creating the first rechargeable makeup brand. It was important that the products were 100% natural and because of this they were also certified organic by Ecocert.

Brand Story: Olive Branch

Olive Branch is a Greek company that produce a range of products using classic Greek ingredients with a unique touch. Their olive oil is made on their family farm located in South East Crete. Not only that, they also make chunky olive tapenade, Greek mezze dips and a big range of marinated olives and antipasti.

Olive Branch was founded by Maria Koinaki. Born and raised in Crete, Maria’s family owned olive trees and as a child Maria would help with the annual olive harvest which involved hand picking fresh olives and helping her father take them to the local olive mill.

Growing up surrounded by olives, Maria decided to turn her father’s olive oil into a brand. She knew that everyone used olive oil out of the knowledge that it is good for you, but no one knows why; Maria wanted to change that.