A lifestyle label marketing responsibly-made bags and apparel, Sealand has added to its
growing list of accolades by scoring top marks as a leading sustainability brand at the inaugural V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Retail Awards. The awards were announced in September at Spyced Restaurant in the Silo District, where Sealand won the ‘Our Better Nature Sustainability’ Award.
There were 34 judges overall, five of whom judged the sustainability category. They were: Twyg founder and Editor Jackie May, the Green Building Council’s Jenni Lombard, Dr Judy Mann-Lang of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, Heather Parker from V&A SOLVE, and Petro Myburgh, Senior Manager: Sustainability at V&A Waterfront.
With a shop in the Victoria & Alfred Mall (and outlets in Sandton, Stellenbosch and Hout Bay), Sealand exemplifies the sustainable goals that define the V&A Waterfront and are practised at this iconic mixed-use destination.
“Sealand embodies our mission to cultivate a communitycentred on sustainability,’ says Alex Kabalin, Executive Retail Director at the V&A Waterfront.
“Our judges were very impressed by the brand’s exceptional delivery of every criteria for the award: measurable proof of a low carbon footprint, significant waste reduction, and active community engagement. We applaud the brand for being a key player in our shared journey toward a brighter future and congratulate it on this well-deserved recognition.”
Sealand’s award highlights the brand’s strong commitment to environmental conservation,
social responsibility, and ethical practices. To date it has saved more than 90 tonnes of toxic material from our earth and avoided 2 226 tonnes of CO². Sealand also won a Maker to Market Award at the 2019 Design Foundation Awards and the Sustainable Accessory Award at the 2019 Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards.
Since its inception in 2015, Sealand has created products from textile waste and materials
sourced through ethical supply chains that uphold workers’ rights. Founded and run by Cape Town locals, the brand is grounded in the belief that integrating sustainability into its practices is not just environmentally and socially responsible, but also beneficial for business.
Co-founder and CEO Jasper Eales cites a lifelong love of the outdoors as the main motivation behind the brand and its mission statement: ‘Together we make our planet better’. Sealand partners with like-minded businesses and organisations, making custom bags for the NSRI, designing kit for the DHL Stormers, and sponsoring the PONDO Ultra and Coaster trail running events. A recent collaboration with local celebrity and multi hyphenate ‘Map’s Maponyane saw Sealand producing an iconography-based capsule range steeped in storytelling and local context.
The brand’s environmentally-conscious approach filters through every aspect of its operations, from recycling office and shop waste to sourcing and manufacturing the gear. Designed to stand the test of time, its product range is durable, functional and undeniably stylish. ECONYL® regenerated nylon, composed of waste including fishing nets and fabric offcuts, forms the base of the bestselling recycled Moon Bag. The Roamer backpack, Sealand’s first product to be made in numbers, remains a fan favourite.
As Sealand continues to design new products, honouring nature and preserving our
environment for future generations remains a core value behind every endeavour.
Visit Sealand at Shop 7208B on the Upper Floor of the Victoria & Alfred Mall at the V&A
Waterfront. The store is open daily from 09h00 to 21h00.
For more information about Sealand go to https://sealandgear.co.za or follow the brand on
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sealandgear/
To learn more about the V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Retail Awards visit:
https://www.waterfront.co.za/tenant-awards/
