PRESS OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: customercare@sanchosshop.com
Address: Sancho’s 117 Fore Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3JQ
Press Office
P R E S S O F F I C E
Ethical and chic? Yes, it is possible. A new generation of cult labels are creating items that are as stylish as they are sustainable. From dresses to deodorant, we’ve found our top picks for ethical, eco-conscious, cruelty-free products, so you can treat yourself while treating the planet. Thank us later.
Sancho’s is a sustainable and ethical fashion and lifestyle shop that sources affordable products that are alternative to the high street, with the aim of creating a fairer, better world for everyone. Situated on Exeter’s independent street, Fore street, Sancho’s is the south west’s answer to ethical and sustainable shopping.
Since lockdown, online shopping has become more exciting, making sustainable and ethical fashion more accessible. We discover the boutiques offering a dedicated, responsible edit. Step away from Amazon, these are our favourite sustainable online fashion boutiques.
Not only do retailers have a moral responsibility, but with consumers becoming increasingly concerned about where their products come from, there is also a clear economic argument for sustainability, transparency, and ethical sourcing across retail supply chains.
Seaweed Surf Shack CIC is a women-led social enterprise, which myself and my friend Beth started over lockdown. Here we share the stories of the women we have met over the years, who have inspired us to get to this point.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING HABIT? WE MEET THE BRANDS WHO ARE INNOVATING AND QUESTIONING THE FUTURE OF ECOMMERCE.
PUBLISHED IN PRINT MAGAZINE
Featured in the Circus Journal 'Buying Better' feature.
To celebrate the opening of non-essential shops on high streets up and down the country as of 12 April, we asked you, our readers, to nominate your favourite independents as part of our retail campaign, Save Our Shops.
This week, Doug Stephens speaks with Kalkidan Legesse and Robert Hoppenheim about fashion’s moral imperative to take responsibility for the people it impacts.
We recently chatted with Kalkidan Legesse, founder of the awarding-winning ethical fashion brand and store Sancho’s about how she has navigated the past year of change, and how she’s finding a way forward.
This Saturday (6th February) is also Black Pound Day — a monthly community event and campaign on the first Saturday of every month to drive support and raise awareness for Black-owned businesses. This is an important part of shopping ethically and working towards bridging the racial divides in Britain.
Mary Portas explores what style means to us and the way we live today.
45 Amazing Small Brands You Can Check Out This Year And Beyond. "This sustainable clothing brand has a ‘transparent pricing’ model, where you can choose from three different prices for the same product and pay what you can! If you choose to spend more, you can give someone else the opportunity to spend less – how lovely is that?"
"I've always loved a good earring — both simple and statement — as part of a dressy outfit. They are also the ideal accessory to your tracksuit bottoms when all anybody is seeing is the top half of your body on a video call! Like with everything else in my wardrobe and jewellery box, I look for sustainable options wherever possible"
"Founded by university friends and now partners Kalkidan Legesse (originally from Ethiopia) and Vidmantas Markevicius (originally from Lithuania), Sancho’s is an ethical and sustainable fashion store and brand based in Exeter that opened in 2014 and was recently awarded the Holly & Co High Street Shop of the Year 2020."
LISTEN TO KALKIDANS PODCAST HERE
"Sophie & Kalkidan discuss Sophie's latest book Anti Racist Ally, a guidebook for beginners to anti racism. They tackle the question many people practising ally-ship face 'well what if I get it wrong'... listen on to find out how to manage that fear."
Drapers 30 Under 30 2021: Kalkidan Legesse, managing director, Sancho’s
Kalkidan Legesse, co-founder of Sancho's has been nominated for our list of '30 under 30' people to watch the year
"A monthly podcast special discussing the fashion industry and picking apart important topics that can no longer be overlooked... what will the future of ecomm look like and what does it mean for our shopping experiences and habits? We spoke to Kalkidan Legesse, Amy Lee and Damara Ingles about it."
NOW X SLOW FASHION FEATURED
"This micro-doc explores the opportunities that we all have to transform the fashion industry into a more sustainable industry. Through interviews with leading slow fashion brands, SANCHOS and FINISTERRE, the film addresses slow fashion misconceptions, clothing waste realities and the growth of fast fashion giants."
Top independent shop is in Exeter
"An independent Exeter ethical clothing store has been name the top shop in the UK. Sancho’s on Fore Street in the city centre, is the High Street Shop of 2020, according to an organisation called Holly & Co that helps people start businesses. They've organised the Independent Awards, backed by NatWest, Three, Dell, Royal Mail and Pinterest."
THE INDEPENDENT AWARDS 2020
THE WINNERS!
"The winners of the 2020 awards represent the best in class – from high street shops and product innovation to passion and community, they each found a way to thrive throughout one of the toughest years the country (world!) has ever seen."
5 ultimate multi-brand sustainability shopping destinations. "Kalkidan Legesse and Vidmantas Markevicius launched their Exeter-based boutique and online store in 2014 as a reaction against fast fashion....During lockdown, the company launched a 'Pay What You Can' collection, aimed at making eco and socially aware products more accessible."
Here, Aja Barber interviews founder of Sancho's Kalkidan Legesse on running an ethical business for an episode of The Wardrobe Crisis. Listen to the podcast to hear these two inspiring women.
Shop Black Owned & Sustainable this Christmas: An Ethical Gift Guide. "I have collated a wee gift guide including five must have items from one of my absolute fave ethical places to shop, Sancho’s shop."
How to have a thoughtful, ethical Christmas.
"Sancho’s, a Black owned independent retailer based in Exeter, UK embodies so well the sort of business that I want to support with my hard-earned cash"
10 Zero-Waste Swaps to Make This Christmas.
"Try to buy locally from small businesses, in particular black owned businesses*, who are seriously under represented - here’s why. This year has been especially hard for small businesses due to the pandemic, so buying from them makes a huge difference"
"There’s never been a more important time to shop small so I’ve put together this list of British-based independent stores to support in the run up to Christmas."
"Sancho’s is an incredible black-owned sustainable and ethical independent shop based in Exeter, Devon and they have some perfect gifting pieces from black-owned brands too"
We talked to them about what we do at Sancho’s, why sustainable fashion is an important part of being environmentally conscious and why the fast fashion industry will carry on with business is normal for as long as they possibly can.
Hidden gems: here's a list of great things you can buy on local high streets...“The most enlightening thing has been seeing that left to themselves, women will design products with no compromise and full candour”
Refinery 29 talks to the women decolonising sustainable fashion, including the co-founder of Sancho's, Kalkidan. "It’s time to wake up. On Global Day of Climate Action, VICE Media Group is solely telling stories about our current climate crisis. Click here to meet young climate leaders from around the globe and learn how you can take action."
PUBLISHED IN PRINT MAGAZINE
Autumn/Winter 20 trends see cosy neutrals and selected items of everyday jewellery that are delicately layered with knitwear and classic patterns. One of our black owned brands Yala jewellery is highlighted in this trend page featuring the Zero Waste Pendant.
Kalkidan's article for The Guardian
"Of all the shocks that the past few weeks and months have brought to all our lives, one of the biggest for me as a black woman working in the fashion industry is that finally people are realising that racism is more than calling someone a derogatory name."
GUEST BLOG FEATURE
"The fashion industry is responsible for around 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. So any way to get inspired by the clothes you already have instead of buying more, is a great way to reduce your environmental impact."
Safia Minney and Kalkidan Legesse, MD of ethical retailer Sancho’s, talk about their experiences of systemic racism. They share their experience and examine how racism stands in the way of sustainability as well as inclusion through diversity and resilience.
"Meanwhile Exeter-based sustainable fashion boutique Sancho’s recently launched “transparent pricing”, a radical approach which allows customers to choose from three different price tags for the same garment. The idea was born when a subscriber messaged to say that she loved a jumpsuit, but couldn’t afford it."
We recently mentioned one of lovely stockists Sancho’s on Instagram as part of #melinatedmonday. Founded in 2014, Sancho’s is a sustainable and ethical fashion & lifestyle retailer based in Exeter.
PUBLISHED IN PRINT MAGAZINE
Dream Escapes - The Izzy bag in tan, one of our summer staples this season was featured in Hello! Travel magazine, recommending this beautiful bag for your next get-away alongside summer dresses and holiday scenes.
LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE
"less has been said about why small biz need – and deserve – our support right now. And about how we can do that, especially given that lots of us have either lost a proportion of our incomes (myself included), or are simply rethinking their financial habits in the current context."
"let’s start celebrating our local successes – especially those with an environmental focus. Here are five sustainable businesses in Devon that everyone should be talking about..."
"the importance of resolving the current unsustainable fast pace fashion industry that is consuming our lives. The show was held in Exeter’s stunning cathedral, creating a truly mesmerising atmosphere."
"Exeter’s Slow Fashion Show aims to increase awareness about where and how their belongings are produced, in the hope of making people think twice before buying."
LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The real women of Thought clothing, interview with Kalkidan. "Every Thought collection is designed with stylish, creative, hard-working women in mind. Our Inspiring Women series is no different. Kalkidan Legesse owns Sancho’s, one of Thought’s most beloved retailer."
Indies innovating with experiences "Leading independent retailers share their top tips on creating the ultimate shopping experience."
9 best ethical and sustainable jewellery brands
“The collection features colourful geometric styles mixed with gold, in earrings and necklaces which are high quality and on-trend.”
PUBLISHED IN PRINT MAGAZINE
“The message from Sancho’s in Exeter rang loud and clear – sustainable fashion is cool, .... think a little more about how and why we consume – think slow… not fast and mass produced.” National magazine feature by Mary Bennellick
" Thanks to these local independent boutiques and their stylish owners, you can be slaying looks from dartmoor to dog village" Read on here pages 30-31
New York, London, Paris, Milan, Exeter (pages 52-53)
"We understand the dilemma lots of men face whilst shopping; the limited range of clothing. That’s why we wanted to separate our men’s collection in our new shop, increasing our range of stock and enhancing the shopping experience for our customers, old and new."
The Slow Fashion Show with Sancho’s and In Exeter “To have a fashion show in a cathedral might seem an odd juxtaposition of cultures. But let me tell you – it was perfect. There was a real buzz about the place, possibly to do with the excitement of such a trailblazing event.”
A skirt made from Plymouth trawler nets has crowned Devon as the UK’s capital for slow fashion. The fishtail-skirt was designed by Helen Newcombe of Davy J, which produces swimwear using waste nylon from anything from fishing nets to carpet offcuts.
ALSO READ: The Indie shopkeepers leading a High Street revival
Store Visit and Review "A visit to local independents is more than shopping and parting with your hard-earned cash. It’s the experience. From the gentle welcome to the in-depth knowledge of the staff selling their wares. Sanchos on Fore Street, Exeter is no different."
"Kalkidan Legesse and partner Vidmantas Markevicius first met at university – the two like-minds beginning a journey that led to the creation of Sancho’s, an inspiring and inclusive ethical clothing and lifestyle store in Exeter, and online. We talk to co-founder Kalkidan to find out more…"
PUBLISHED IN PRINT MAGAZINE
Features include:
Conscious Christmas Campaign
Foundation Collection Launch
PRESS OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: olivia@sanchosshop.com
Address: Sancho’s 117 Fore Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3JQ
Positions Available
Brand Partnerships Officer
You'll be responsible For
- Onboarding more brands into our marketplace.
- Product strategy, making sure our product offering meeting our customers needs and standards.
- Product pages , manage our product pages online.
- B2B Relationships, build strategic relationships with all business partners.
Hours
- Flexi Time / Part Time
Work Style
- Hybrid - (Exeter Based)
Pay
- £1250 per month
Do you have more questions?
Start
- March
Send us an email at customercare@sanchosshop.com
Video Content Creator
You'll be responsible For
- Creating Highly Engaging Short Form Video featuring our products for web and social use.
- Create Video content for our website product pages.
Hours
- Flexi Time / Part Time
Work Style
- Hybrid - (Exeter Based)
Pay
- £1250 per month
Start
- April
Do you have more questions?
Send us an email at customercare@sanchosshop.com
Customer Officer
You'll be responsible For
- Warehouse and marketplace order fulfilment
- Customer Service via social, chat & email
- Supporting our customers to have the best experience in Sustainble Fashion.
Hours
- Flexi Time / Part Time
Work Style
- Hybrid - (Exeter Based)
Pay
- £1000 per month
Start
- May
Do you have more questions?
Send us an email at customercare@sanchosshop.com