Plain Tiger Spotlight: Suntorini Essentials
Something for the sun catchers
By Renee Fortune
Humour us for a moment and think about what you’d look for in the perfect beach accessory. Or perhaps, let’s start with just a beach chair…
Would the perfect beach chair be comfortable enough to inspire a sun-kissed snooze? Would it be lightweight and easy to lug around? Would it be practical but with a bit of a punch – enough to warrant an ‘ooh that’s lovely, where did you get that?’ kind of response? If any of these descriptors matched your midday reverie, you’re in luck, because the very stuff of your daydreams exists. It’s called the Champagne Beach Chair by Suntorini Essentials. But before we dive into why this design piece tops our list of swoonworthy seaside must-haves, we’ll start with a bit of a story. .
Suntorini Essentials was founded by professional pilot Nadine Elske who spent a great deal of time traveling the world and visiting remote locations like Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia and Haiti. Over the years, she became intimately familiar with the eastern coast of Africa. And as she discovered, the view from the pilot’s cabin is vastly different from the view on the ground.
From her bird’s eye view, she was able to admire the coast’s scenic beauty but also gained a unique perspective on the devastating impact that plastic pollution continues to have on the ocean. There was something about the immediacy of that perspective that drove her to find the best way she could to make a difference. Her solution? Start a brand that recycles the plastic that ends up in landfills and in the oceans and reimagine it as beach essentials in a way that gives waste a second lease of life and demonstrates the power of positive action.
The next step was to decide what to name such a brand. For that, Nadine drew on her love for the Greek island of Santorini. There could be no better name for the brand than a play on words that conjures up images of idyllic seascapes and the fascinating mythology associated with one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. That was the beginning of Suntorini Essentials.
Now back to that beach chair. The Champagne Beach Chair is the epitome of resort living. It’s neutral colour way and classic striped design makes it the perfect complement to any kind of swimwear. If you’re wondering whether it’s also comfortable, the answer is a definite yes. Its design includes a matching, perfectly placed cushion and a structure that offers 4 reclining positions. And then, because we’re talking about a brand that puts the ‘fun’ in ‘functional,’ it’s also got a corded fringe; the perfect trim to trail in the sand while you catch up on some rest and relaxation.
Like all the products you’ll find in the Suntorini stable, the chair is made from 100% recycled material and comes in biodegradable packaging. The fabric is made from recycled polyester created from post-consumption plastic bottles and the beech wood used is FSC approved. In a brilliant twist of human ingenuity, waste that would potentially have entered the sea as pollution, returns as something better, and more beautiful.
Nadine’s love for the ocean and her drive to preserve it and the countless, precious ecosystems it sustains, is at the centre of how every Suntorini Essentials item is created. As she explains: “The brand is based on the four pillars of sustainability. From a social perspective, it is geared towards building a legacy for future generations by acknowledging that our decisions as individuals impact others and the world around us. The human dimension of sustainability speaks to the brand’s focus on the important role of anyone who is directly or indirectly involved in the making of our products. From an economic perspective, Suntorini Essentials aims to improve the standard of living and contribute towards sustainable development. And lastly, touching on the environmental pillar, the brand’s objective is to protect and conserve the ocean.”
In essence then, Suntorini Essentials is a brand that represents a lifestyle – one that is underpinned by a renewed level of consciousness and inspired by the interconnectedness of human nature and mother nature.
Ready to find your new beach bestie? This is just the place to do it.
