Soneva has launched the world’s first sustainable resort boutique at its Soneva Jani resort in Maldives.
Guests at Soneva Jani in the Maldives can now give their holiday wardrobe a stylish and sustainable update, thanks to the launch of the resort’s chic new boutique, So Soneva. The new boutique exclusively stocks brands that follow an environmentally or socially conscious ethos, with a curated range of on trend resort wear and accessories for women, men, and children.
The 25 international designers currently at So Soneva combine high fashion with social responsibility. All brands in the boutique’s portfolio must demonstrate their commitment to at least two key sustainability pillars that minimise their impact on the planet.
These pillars include: sustainable production practices; the use of recycled materials; the use of organic materials or manufacturing processes; ethical production; ‘slow’ fashion; cruelty-free practices; artisanal values; conserving biodiversity and habitats; support for charities; and empowering women.
So Soneva is located at The Gathering, the three-storey overwater structure at the heart of Soneva Jani that is home to a selection of dining outlets, spa, library, retail area, The Den and wine cellar.
As the world’s first sustainable resort boutique, the collection at So Soneva perfectly complements Soneva’s barefoot luxury philosophy. The swimwear edit includes UK labels Talia Collins and Riz Boardshorts, the US’s Mara Hoffman and Peony from Australia – which were all recognised in Conde Nast Traveller’s round up of the best sustainable swimwear brands due to their blend of recycled, sustainable materials with the highest quality craftmanship.
Covetable cover ups from Turkish brand My Beachy Side are hand-crocheted by disadvantaged women and Syrian refugees – the company works alongside NGOs to provide steady jobs within the local community.
Lemlem, the brainchild of supermodel and philanthropist Liya Kebede, is an artisan-driven collection of hand-woven cotton pieces that aims to break the cycle of poverty in her home country of Ethiopia by partnering with local artisan studios.
With a range of effortlessly stylish linen and pure cotton shirts, ethical menswear brand Tobias Clothing donates 10 percent of profits from every shirt sold to the Akanksha Foundation, an Indian charity which hopes to improve children’s lives in low-income communities through access to better education.
Eyewear brand Tens hand-crafts its frames from a plant-based acetate, which is derived from renewable sources such as wood pulp and cotton fibres, and has a significantly lower environmental impact than regular plastic sunglasses.
Noma Swimwear’s rash vests protect sun-sensitive young skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, thanks to a special UPF-50+ certified fabric. Designed to last, in bright, kid-friendly hues, they’re made from ECONYL®, which comes from recycled ghost fishing nets. The brand also donates 1 percent of its overall yearly takings to Healthy Seas, a not-for-profit which retrieves abandoned nets from the ocean.
The So Soneva boutique is the next step in Soneva’s ongoing sustainability journey.
A pioneer for sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly practices, the world leading resorts operator has led the way for the sustainable luxury hospitality movement for more than two decades and today is 100 per cent carbon neutral. From banning plastic straws across its portfolio as far back as 1998, to implementing an innovative Waste-to-Wealth facility to reduce, reuse and recycle at each of its three resorts, Soneva strives to reduce its impact on the natural environment while empowering the local community.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.
Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.
Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.
Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.