The Conscious Luxury Column

Welcome to DELAH.

Here, we believe there is nothing wrong with enjoying the finer things in life. After all, what does it mean to indulge in luxury?

We imagine to most it means to enjoy beautiful, high quality, authentic, goods and services. For some of us it’s a sense of fulfilment when personally curating your idea of a beautiful living space, invested in the origin of each piece. To others, it’s perhaps planning an exotic break around sourcing the freshest food and most authentic experiences with a tour guide who was born and raised in the local area.

However, what is too often associated with the luxury industry, and ironically held comparable to the fast industry, is a neglect to social, environmental, and ethical responsibility. As founder, when I first woke up to the reality of the climate emergency in late 2019, after years’ of blissful ignorance, there was a guilt that weighed heavy over my conscience and it drove me to adapt my way of living, radically. 

[ I was never an overly irresponsible consumer, as my distaste for a disposable, fast culture was unknowingly ingrained in my psych from a young age. Through fairly humble beginnings, I was taught throughout my childhood to value quality, never to waste food, and as a smaller than average child of my age, I largely grew up in hand-me-downs from various friends and family members, who were luckily, rather fashionable. ]

Bulldozing my long-loved pleasures in what can only be described as a manic state of detachment, I led myself to believe responsible products had to have green bells, whistles, and flashing lights on to have been sustainable. I went full eco warrior, and associated luxury goods unconditionally with exploitation. I often sacrificed quality and my preferred aesthetic to support small and independently owned businesses and communities. I just couldn’t find the balance of my values anywhere, and felt I must undergo a dramatic shift in my identity as the only way to prove to myself and others that I was taking positive action.

It was a surprise to no one just how short lived this newfound, panic-driven obsession became. I couldn’t live by so much restriction, but I knew I could never unlearn what I knew about the climate crisis.

So, in full circle spirit, I began to deeply research and realise that my values of beautiful, quality, and authentic products and services were valid and could coexist with social, environmental, and ethical responsibility. The assumption that indulging in luxury goods sacrifices people and planet is a myth, and so is the misconception that the only responsible products available are loudly green.

So here I am, sharing with you the lessons, advice, and inspiration to be able to live consciously, luxuriously. 

Responsible luxury exists, and DELAH exists to bring those products and services to light.

#DELAHSustainable is about living life luxuriously, with sustainability as an equal component. This is where you will find well researched, DELAH approved conscious luxury products.

Welcome to #DELAHSustainable and The Conscious Luxury Column.