The couple behind 2.elämä walks us through the four years of adventure since this eco-friendly design firm was established. Get ready to know all about their astonishing Body Harness Collection 2015.
It’s been four years since the beginning of the 2.elämä project. How has the brand evolved through this time?
Jaime: Part of our evolution has been that we have been working little by little in different areas. 2.elämä’s designs are now present, not only in jewellery, but also in fashion and home decoration. We have even carried out some interior design projects and we’ve collaborated with other companies.
Yuan: But maybe our biggest achievement in all this time is that we have fulfilled our original idea, which was to set up an eco-friendly design brand called Toinen Elämä (2.elämä). It is important to remember that the fact that a product has been manufactured under environmental concerns is not enough. Design, originality and functionality have to be present too. After these four years we have reached certain awareness within our field. In Finland people now recognise our brand and they talk about it.
The Finnish economy is now going through a period of recession. How has this situation affected you as entrepreneurs?
J: Our practises and philosophy have helped us keep floating despite the current situation in Finland. Sustainability can be understood as a political and social concern, but there is also an economic side to it. We produce locally, which means we don’t need to have a big stock. On the other hand, the fact that we are working with recycled materials makes it easy for us to establish a mutual-benefit relationship with other companies. We go and directly pick up some of the items they want get rid of. This way, they spare the money of transporting them to the recycling centre and we obtain the materials we will be working with. Read more