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The Brand Bio

Founder:

Cinzia Caiazzo

Established:

2018

Headquarters:

Portugal

Countries of Manufacture:

Portugal and Italy

The story of Aqua dos Açores begins with the bond between a Florentine couple, Cinzia Caiazzo and her husband, and the Azores.

A volcano eruption brought much devastation to the Açores region with continued year-long sand and ash fall covering the surrounding fields. Cinzia and her husband are committed to bringing back vine cultivation to the region through the time intensive work of recovering tradition, selecting only native vine varieties for Aqua dos Açores products.

Aqua dos Açores is essentially an olfactory travel diary; the sensorial tale of one of the most beautiful places in the world, where history, nature, colours and fragrances merge into an indissoluble whole.

The brand's logo is the wind rose, an ancient navigation instrument, a flower of many petals. A graphic synthesis of past and present.

Ethics and Aesthetics

Highlights from Aqua dos Açores' environmental, social, and personal commitments

Environmental Commitments

Environmental Conservation Efforts and Practices

Has sustainability progress targets and policies in place to achieve these
Protects the local environment and its biodiversity in the areas of operation
Uses water respectfully and aims to reduce its water consumption
Uses water systems designed to minimise water consumption and educates its staff on best practices for water conservation
Has publicly available water reduction targets
Up to 20% of energy used comes from renewable sources
Energy efficiency: takes steps to reduce energy usage, increase energy efficiency and educates its staff on best practices
Collects scrap materials and/or by-products from its own production for outside recycling and/or repurposing
Product take-back scheme: takes back preloved products and/or packaging for reuse, recycling or disposal

Ethical Sourcing of Raw Materials

Raw materials originating from nature are sourced from sustainably managed ecosystems
Ensures responsible and ethical sourcing policies are implemented within its supply chain
Uses organic and natural materials/ingredients in its production
Sources raw materials responsibly, from operations that do not have a harmful impact on communities and wildlife

Sustainable Marketing and Packaging Materials

Uses environmentally-friendly marketing and packaging materials made from recycled, recyclable, FSC and/or PEFC certified materials
Packaging materials are designed to be reused, recycled and/or upcycled
Uses biodegradable and/or compostable packaging and/or marketing materials
Does not include any single-use plastic in its packaging

Sustainable Product Design

Considers social and environmental factors during the product design process and development stages
Is committed to removing microplastic substances and materials from all its products
Implements product lifecycle management and holistic design solutions

Animal-friendly, Cruelty-free

No animal testing: prohibits the testing of products, formulations and ingredients on animals
No endangered species: does not use materials or substances from species listed as endangered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

Ethical and Sustainable Production / Manufacturing

Manufacturing and Production Processes

Factory is in Portugal, local to the Brand's country of origin / business operations, reducing its carbon footprint
Sources up to 25% of its raw materials and labour with local, independent suppliers
Outsources part of its manufacturing in Italy
Works with recognised ethical manufacturers
Manufactures its collections and products in limited quantities, avoiding mass production
Production facilities have systems in place to reduce water and energy consumption
Has systems in place to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions
Ensures it monitors any possible toxic chemicals during production
Ensures its suppliers monitor any possible toxic chemicals in production

Waste Management and Recycling

Has taken steps to reduce its manufacturing waste and has targets in place to achieve this
Optimises its design and production to minimise material waste
Recycles more than 50% of its waste

Vegan

Vegan company that does not use any animal or animal-derived ingredients, substances or by-products in its collections, products and packaging

Personal and Social Commitments

Good Corporate Governance

Fair pay: All employees and subcontractors are paid the local minimum and/or living wage
Committed to and has policies/standards in place to ensure responsible labour practices and conditions (e.g. Code of Conduct)
Equal employment: ensures its hiring and employment practices do not, in any way, discriminate
Gender equality: implements a gender equal pay policy
Has policies in place to support and promote diversity and inclusion
Employees are incentivized to achieve environmental and social progress
Provides training to artisans that are part of its supply chain

Fair Trade Practices

Has a policy in place that requires knowledge of its suppliers' social and environmental practices
Suppliers pay fairly: ensures that its suppliers pay employees and subcontractors the local minimum and/or living wage
Ensures no child or forced labour: has policies in place preventing any child and/or forced labour throughout its entire supply chain

Product Safety Assurance

Transparency: provides the full list of ingredients and substances used in the label of every product
Products and packaging are PVC-free
Uses non-toxic dyes for its products and packaging
Products are free from parabens and other cosmetic preservatives
Products are gluten-free
Does not use any harsh, toxic or synthetic chemicals and substances in its ingredients, formulations, materials and packaging that negatively impact human health and the environment:

Bisphenol A (BPA)
Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP)
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Formaldehyde
GMOs
Hydrogen Peroxide
Microbeads

Nanoparticles
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Siloxanes
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Sulfates

Triclosan
PEGs
Petrolatum
Petrochemicals
Phenoxyethanol
Phthalates

Handcrafted, Artisanal

Products are handcrafted by the Brand's partner artisans and manufacturers
Supports the preservation of cultural traditions, skills and techniques through handcrafted production

Relevé Fashion in partnership with

share with you the UN Sustainable Development Goals supported by Aqua dos Açores

The State of the Art

Take a peek into the world of Aqua dos Açores