Sustainability is becoming an increasingly widespread concern, and the discerning consumer is now making more environmentally conscious decisions about the brands they spend their money with.
High-end brands have responded emphatically to the growing demand for more sustainable choices, and are leveraging the latest technological innovations not just to remain in favour with their high-net-worth customer bases, but to go all out on saving the planet. By combining the luxurious standards they are best known for with a new agenda of environmental responsibility, premium products are now at the forefront of the fight against climate change.
Here, we take a look at three of the high-end brands doing it best.
Stoov: Sustainable heating solutions
Dutch lifestyle brand Stoov, which makes cordless, rechargeable heating products, is harnessing the power of low-energy far-infrared technology to minimise home energy consumption. Its forward-thinking heated cushions and blankets are designed to warm the body directly as opposed to an entire space like traditional central heating does, allowing users to effectively reduce their carbon footprints by investing in one.
Designed to seamlessly combine style with functionality, they look and feel pretty great too, and are available in a range of different options so they can come with you wherever you go. The Ploov, with its woolly covering, is perfect for snuggling up on the sofa, while the Big Hug is great for taking with you in the car or to work.
As well as harnessing cutting-edge technology to provide a more eco-friendly source of heat, the brand uses sustainable materials in the production of its products – right from its heating elements, to its covers, which are crafted from recycled fabrics. Each of its heating solutions is designed to last, too, minimising waste. In all, the brand serves as a prime example of how luxury and environmental responsibility really can go hand in hand.
Tesla: Electric mobility and solar energy
Tesla is a name that has long been synonymous with cutting-edge technology, and over recent years, Elon Musk’s brainchild has made a name for itself thanks to its pioneering approach to electric mobility and solar energy. It’s perhaps best known for driving progress in the field of electric vehicles (EVs), showing the world what was possible as it became the leading manufacturer in the world and paving the way for other notable car makers to follow suit.
Models including the Model S, Model X, and the upcoming Cybertruck have successfully made the case for the seamless coexistence of luxury, performance, and sustainability, making electric vehicles not just viable, but desirable.
But the brand is about much more than that, and behind the scenes it is also working hard on other green energy solutions – perhaps most notably of which its Solar Roof, which supports the easy integration of solar panels into homes to allow residents to harness the power of solar energy in a way that doesn’t detract from the aesthetic appeal of their property.
It’s also making great strides in the realm of battery power storage, and has created innovative solutions like the Powerwall for homeowners to store up the green energy provided by the sun’s rays for usage later on.
The brand’s unwavering dedication to a more sustainable future through the creation of greener energy solutions is admirable, and has cemented its place as a leader within the market.
Rimowa: Sustainable materials and carbon-neutral production
Luxury luggage brand Rimowa, maker of premium aluminium suitcases, has recently launched its new ‘Everlast’ collection, which is a range of luggage solutions made from super sustainable and highly durable polycarbonate, upping its eco-friendly game to the next level. The move has not only made the brand a more sustainable choice for the discerning customer by extending products’ lifespan and decreasing waste, but has also positioned it as a serious player in the wider fight against climate change – and currently, it is also working towards moving to a carbon-neutral production process.
To balance this out with a good dose of luxury appeal, Rimowa has also partnered with tech giant Okoban to allow customers to track their luggage in real time using a one-off tracking ID, ticking both boxes simultaneously.
