Journal

A Détacher means to be detached, as in: to detach the label from the garment. A sentiment not only suggestive of the practicality of obtaining a piece of clothing and putting it to use, but also the values of the designer behind it who prefers for you to shop with intention and not buy things because of the label and its social association. 

Artist Ana Kras visited Mona at her home, just before A Détacher showed a finale collection at New York Fashion Week. The ending of this chapter stems from Mona’s personal desire to step back and focus on other creative projects. We feel lucky to have caught Mona in a moment of change, a time where she is allowing her intuition to guide her.

We asked Palisa Anderson, second-generation restaurateur of Chat Thai, if there were any family dishes that still linger on her mind: triggered by aroma or ingredient and nurtured by the preparation. Her answer was Stuffed Bitter Melon in Chicken Broth.

It is said that we take over 20,000 breaths each day. Whether we are breathing for deep rest or for an endorphin hit, if the past few years have taught us anything, it is to look after our lungs.

This restorative tonic, loaded with greens, helps to soothe swollen or tight breathing passages and lubricate the lungs for ultimate cardiovascular health. 

An unlikely ingredient: turnip, is added to this recipe for its high volume of vitamin A, and lemons for vitamin C, both also full of antioxidants. Garlic, a natural antibiotic, adds antiviral and antibacterial properties to keep your system clean and robust. Our Breathe Easy Juice is a combination of powerful foods, each humming with flavour and working to heal your body from within.

We’ve created a punchy tonic, full of flavour, and packed with major healing properties. Use as an alternative to apple cider to balance flavours in dressings and curries, or take as a quick shot in the morning.

Paired with sweet pineapple — a champion at reducing inflammation and assisting in healthy liver function, this vinegar is also excellent for soothing dermatitis (throw ¼ cup of vinegar into your bath). Ultimately, vinegar is the tool to give a kick to the palette and balance the body’s pH levels, both inside and out.

Pineapple Fire Vinegar is an easy-to-make dynamic and holistic concoction; a spicy combination we can’t get enough of.

Traditionally consumed by women after giving birth, Miyeok-guk [Korean Seaweed Soup] is full of nutrients, such as calcium and iodine, that the Korean culture believe are integral for pregnant or nursing mothers, to purify blood, help to shrink the uterus and increase breast milk supply.

In Korea, Miyeok-guk is eaten for birthday breakfast, as a celebration of one’s mother. This sentimental dish was brought to our attention by our friend Jiho Yun, who has been nourishing herself with her family’s recipe for Miyeok-guk since the arrival of her daughter.

The perfect cocktail for the weekend ahead: the Super-Tonic Bloody Mary. Our twist on the breakfast-time favourite includes refreshing celery and cucumber, along with an energising kick of cayenne pepper. While we opt for a neutral vodka in ours, feel free to substitute with gin, tequila or whatever is left in your ‘boos’ cabinet.

Inspired by recipes that women in her lineage used to cook from, Akiko Kurematsu has created her own cookbook titled The Mother Tongue, in which she adapts each heirloom recipe to better suit how our current generation prefers to eat – more local, sustainable, and aware. Below, Akiko guides us through the preparation of Kenchinjiru: a warming, nourishing winter soup that is at the heart of Japanese home cooking.

Skin inflammation is a far more common condition than most of us realise. In the same way as flowing water slowly erodes rock, the changes it causes become significant over time. Join our founder Lucy Vincent for a deep dive into the process behind skin inflammation, how you can see and feel it showing up in your skin and how to prevent and repair the effects naturally.

Plants make themselves abundant when our bodies need them most. Most gardens, at this point in the year, will have lush nasturtiums tumbling around, so why not utilize them. Both the leaves and the petals are packed with high levels of vitamin C, which wildly improves immunity. 
 
But forget pesto and salad garnish, we've blended this everyday herb into a warming ancient Greek oxymel. The bewitching word oxymel comes from the Latin word oxy, meaning acid, and mel, meaning honey. Both apple cider vinegar and raw honey are common kitchen allies, and when combined with nasturtium, which carries complementary benefits, this oxymel offers potent support against a compromised immune system.

Plus, the taste is so good. Sweet and sour pushed to the extremes, with a savory herbal flavour that lingers on the tongue. A swig of Nasturtium Oxymel each day will keep your body humming.

In Māori mythology, kawakawa is believed to have been the only plant gifted directly from Io the supreme Māori god. Highly medicinal, kawakawa is one of Aotearoa's most precious resources and sacred offerings. 

Our healing infusion combines the earthy, evergreen flavour of kawakawa with a punch of zest —  best experienced first thing in the morning.

Packed with some major healing and anti-inflammatory properties, this tea is excellent for soothing digestion and cleansing the blood.

Is your skin constantly thirsty, itchy and inflamed? We talk to our founder Lucy Vincent on how to give the skin barrier the best start by feeding it a super dose of nutrients for soft supple skin all winter long.

The idea of fermentation feels instantly fussy and time consuming, but we promise this recipe is about as simple and easy as it gets… 

King of superfoods, garlic acts as a daily defence against deeply rooted inflammatory ailments, and it is recommended that we ingest at least one clove a day, preferably in the morning, on an empty stomach. To avoid garlic-breath, we add raw honey, not only to sweeten the flavour but to further activate the benefits of garlic. The combined nutrition obtained from these two ingredients is then amplified by the natural occurrence of fermentation. 

This powerhouse tonic is your free daily medicine for supreme vitality.

Images by Harry Were