We sit down with Ferelith Moltke, Founder of Beabond to learn more about their recent collaboration with DIRT Charity. 

Q: What's the mission behind Beabond, what inspired you to start the company?

A: I founded Beabond after I moved to Botswana ten years ago. Arriving in sub-Saharan Africa as a new mother was a transformational time for me and over the five years I lived in the country I embraced living slower, building resilience and reconnecting to nature. Beabond was founded at a time when my heart and mind aligned and I found awe in nature.  Created with a sense of purpose it’s is a way to collaborate with communities and support wildlife, as well as shine a light on the complexities of living as a mindful human being, living in balance with the world, whenever possible making a positive impact.

Our philosophy is ‘fewer better things’ and our ethos is rooted in sustainability; our beautifully handcrafted pieces are ethically sourced and climate positive. Each one a work of art to be cherished now and forever. This philosophy is the thread interwoven and connecting all aspects of Beabond, for jewellery this means designing pieces intended to be modern heirlooms, something you will enjoy for many years and maybe hand on to the next generation. The same can be said for our interiors and our children’s collection made in collaboration with artisans in Botswana. 

"Created with a sense of purpose it’s is a way to collaborate with communities and support wildlife, as well as shine a light on the complexities of living as a mindful human being, living in balance with the world, whenever possible making a positive impact." 

Q: What's the story behind the name Beabond?

A: The name Beabond comes from my personal links to Africa, I named it in honour of my maternal grandmother, a strong matriarch who was born and lived in Kenya, sadly I never met her, she died before I was born.

Q: What are the current issues in the industry that you see?

A: The current issue which exists in both fashion and jewellery, but is more visible in fashion, is overproduction and overconsumption. The business models for fast fashion – just like fast jewellery - are built on a notion of newness, accessibility and high levels of dopamine inducing consumption. Currently, an estimated 150 billion items of clothing are produced globally every year, with 60% being discarded within 12 months. (Source: McKinsey, 2021. Fashion on Climate). There are steps brands can take when it comes to the materials they source, from metals to precious stones. But even as the ‘products’ become more sustainable, I believe educating consumers about consumption impact will be crucial. We have to advocate a ‘responsible’ mindset or else we simply won’t have a healthy planet for future generations. 

Q: How does Beabond combat the above issues?

A: The future of sustainability is firstly about living mindfully and creating healthy habits around lifestyle and mindful consumption. At Beabond we share the stories behind our collections and a central part of that story is transparency. Responsible sourcing is hugely important but it’s still a challenge. the good news is that with the new EU ESG legislation coming into effect, and with greater transparency from fabrics to diamonds, it’s easier to trace materials back to the source. 

Having lived in Botswana for five years I know the positive impact that diamonds have on the community and country as a whole, so it was an easy choice to feature Botswana diamonds in our jewellery; they are fully traceable, ethically mined and responsibly sourced. The benefits of working with Botswana diamonds extends beyond the conflict free label. Ethical diamonds means no human rights abuses, employees are fairly paid with safe working conditions and environmentally sound practices.  Provenance is a cornerstone of Botswanamark, with every diamond meticulously tracked at every stage from the mines in Botswana, through to the polishing process in Botswana and India, to the final customer. These are diamonds that make a measurable benefit to communities where there are unearthed. 

"These are diamonds that make a measurable benefit to communities where there are unearthed."

Q: Tell us about your new collaboration with Dirt charity, how did it come about?

A: In May we launched the DIRT x BEABOND Coco Collection to raise funds for model and environmentalist Arizona Muse’s charity DIRT.  The Coco Collection of lockets symbolises a seed ‘a source of life with unlimited potential’. The design's source material is the endangered Coco du Mer or ‘sea coconut’ indigenous to the Seychelles; it is the largest and heaviest seed in the world whose distinctive form is often associated with divine femininity. 

Our partnership with DIRT - the UK Charity that focuses on soil regeneration as a solution to the climate crisis, came about after I met Arizona the founder of DIRT, a couple of years ago when she was living in Ibiza. We connected on living in tune with nature and inspired by her knowledge and passion for soil, I couldn’t wait to support the incredible work Arizona is doing to combat climate change and support biodiversity. 

We are proud to donate 30% from each sale of the Coco collection to one of DIRT’s projects; Kufunda a learning and training centre and eco-village in Zimbabwe. It is an intersection of indigenous, black and white farmers living in tune with the land and the communities. Their mission is to foster creativity and collaboration in the community and to grow the biodynamic farming movement in the region. The importance of the project cannot be overlooked, human damage to the planet’s land is accelerating, with up to 40% now classed as degraded, while half of the world's people are suffering the impacts. The impacts vary hugely from region to region, the worst affected is sub-Saharan Africa.  Land degradation is affecting food, water, carbon and biodiversity. Restoring degraded land can be as simple as changing farming methods and practising regenerative agriculture. (Source: United Nations) 

Q: If you had to pick a favourite item from Beabond, what would it be and why?

A: This is so hard to pick just one! Everything I have designed holds such meaning…I started the Beabond journey making clothes for my own children seeing how they needed to move and grow, and I love gifting my friends baby rompers they are a really special gift. I love mixing and matching my jewellery so three of my favourite pieces I’m wearing are the DIRT x Beabond Coco locket, its organic shape is so beautiful and tactile,  the Lemur ring goes with everything from day to night and I wear the Mokola earrings on repeat, they’re perfect for stacking they are made in collaboration with & support of women in the Ngamiland Basket Weavers Trust in the Okavango Delta, Botswana..

Q: What does the future look like for Beabond, what's next! 

A: At Beabond we want to continue to speak to our community about where our inspiration comes from, about nature, wildlife and artisans. Sharing how we can wear things that give back to the environment and communities more than they take away. We are mindful that as we grow we will need to continue to minimise our carbon footprint, and support more initiatives globally. I hope we can inspire other more established brands to be more ethical. I believe collaborating, sharing information and knowledge is key in businesses empowering each-other. The challenges can seem overwhelming and it’s time for everyone to come together to make a meaningful change.

To shop the collection, tap here.