Known for its charmingly abstract designs, Los Angeles-based jewellery label CLED is on a mission to shake up the industry by championing upcycled materials and ethical manufacturing. As one of CLED’s latest U.K. stockists, we decided to sit down with founder Seulye Jo to find more about the label’s inspirations and processes.
We’re so excited to be one of your latest stockists here in the UK. For those who aren't already familiar, could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to start your brand?
I have a background in visual communication and jewellery design. After seeing a lot of materials wasted in jewellery and accessories production along with the use of low-quality mass-manufactured materials like plastics in the fast fashion industry, I’ve wanted to create a brand that would be sustainable and eco-conscious. A few years ago at a beach clean-up, I found beautiful pieces of sea glass and it triggered the idea of using glass. We first thought sea glass would be great but it would not be enough and so we thought of glass, which can be found anywhere and everywhere. Doing research, we were astounded that only 35% of glass is recycled in the US and the rest ends up in landfills. So we decided to transform trash into treasure!
What does CLED stand for, both literally and figuratively?
CLED is derived from the words upcycled and recycled. The acronym stands for Conscious Lifestyle Eco-Friendly Design. CLED was created to be a sustainable lifestyle brand and we strive to follow this in all our creations.
When it comes to design, what kind of references do you draw from, and how do they adapt season after season?
The process of designing a new collection is a little different since we make our own Eco Gems. We’re always drawing inspiration from nature and our surroundings. We’ve showcased the effects of climate change and water conservation in our Floating Glacier and Ashore collections.
Could you divulge the inspiration and development process behind you signature Eco Gems?
This is one of the most difficult, yet gratifying parts of our design process! When creating a new collection, most of the time is spent on creating the right Eco Gem for designs. This involves countless experiments and prototypes until we find the shape and color that we are looking for. We created our own upcycled Eco Gem instead of using mined gemstones or materials made from plastic.
Obviously, there’s a lot more to it than upcycling materials. Could you tell us about the hurdles you’ve had to overcome, such as packaging and logistics, to get the business operating from an ethical standpoint?
All our packaging, from our signature circular jewelry box and shipping boxes, are made from either FSC certified or recycled paper. Even the glue and inks used in the packaging is food grade water based glue and plant-based inks. This involved a lot of research and time to find the right manufacturer. The metals we use are sourced from ethical refiners in the US and are all casted and made locally in Los Angeles. We know where all our materials come from and that is important to us to be a sustainable brand.
What advice would you give to someone starting out on their first sustainable venture?
We think taking a step towards sustainability is better than not doing anything! We are not perfect and we are constantly learning and finding new, better ways to do things. It’s not easy as there can be many challenges, but keep on going - it’s rewarding in the end as you know you’re doing something better for the environment.
How can we, at home, make small-yet-impactful everyday changes to do our bit for the environment?
It can start by choosing materials like glass, wood, and paper over plastics. Consuming less meat and having more plant based meals!
Autumn Winter '25 by Couverture
Couverture presents its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, a curated mix of womenswear and homeware that combines comfort, texture, and considered design. New brands Wild Animals and Séfr join long-standing favourites Rachel Comey, Renata Brenha, Cawley, and Soeur, bringing soft knits, sculptural tailoring, and layered silhouettes that define the season.
Friends of Couverture: Clare O'Connell
We are joined by Clare O’Connell, a content creator whose work we’ve long followed and admired, to curate a corner of Couverture. On her Instagram, she documents the ongoing renovation of her dream family home, sharing the process of shaping a space that balances character and functionality. Alongside this, she regularly showcases design ideas from across the globe, from architecture to interiors, offering a thoughtful take on how we interact with the spaces around us.
HAY x Emma Kohlmann
HAY’s latest collaboration with artist Emma Kohlmann brings her painterly touch to the table. For La Pittura, Kohlmann translates her loose, watercolour-like motifs onto stoneware plates, bowls, cups, trivets, a jug and a vase, each piece holding the tactility of clay and the immediacy of a painting. Made to be used and lived with, yet striking enough to display, they blur the line between functional object and art.
Converse First String
The Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star returns with a premium update in the First String line. Retaining the silhouette’s timeless simplicity, these reconstructed Chucks introduce a higher foxing tape, a shorter toe cap, and a wider footbed for improved fit. Available in three new designs in Men's and Women's, First String is limited to just a handful of select stockists across Europe, including Couverture & The Garbstore.
TDR AW25
TDR returns for AW25 with a collection that champions genre-less British design, revisiting signature styles and introducing new silhouettes shaped by fabrics sourced across Japan, Scotland, and Canada. The focus is on winter comfort and craft, pairing functional construction with refined detailing for pieces designed to be worn every day.
25 Years of Couverture
Couverture & The Garbstore marks its 25th anniversary with a series of exclusive collaborations. To celebrate the milestone, limited-edition pieces arrive from long-time partners including Renata Brenha, Donna Wilson, Sideline, Laite Works and more. Founded by Emily Dyson-Paley with a vision for thoughtful design and craft, Couverture has grown into the Notting Hill destination for womenswear, jewellery and homeware. This year’s anniversary collections reflect that same spirit - considered, creative, and rooted in community.
