How We Choose Brands
We are not looking for perfect. We are looking for principled. Every brand on Brix + Bailey has been through a person rather than an algorithm, and here is roughly what that person is squinting at.
What We Are Hoping For
Something made properly, by someone who clearly cared. Small batches rather than volume for its own sake. People paid decently in conditions you would not mind seeing. And a point of view, which is harder to define but rather obvious when it is there.
Then the slightly awkward bit. If a brand tells us something is sustainable, we ask how they know. Politely, but we do ask.
Certifications We Recognise
A certificate is not the whole story. It is, however, a considerable improvement on adjectives.
GOTS follows organic fibre all the way from the field to the finished thing. FSC covers responsibly sourced wood and paper, which turns out to matter enormously once furniture is involved.
Have a look at who holds them: B Corp certified, ethical brands, sustainable brands.
And Where We Simply Have to Judge
A great many of the best makers cannot afford certification, which tells you about their bank balance rather than their ethics. A one-woman pottery in Devon is not about to hold an international standard, and it would be a bit much to expect it.
So we ask instead. Where the clay comes from. Who does the glazing. Whether the thing is built to last or built to be replaced by next spring. Slower than reading a logo, which is rather the point of us.
The results: small batch artisans and British makers.
Materials, Without the Buzzwords
We are fond of reclaimed fabric, recycled and repurposed materials, plant-based dyes, properly sourced timber and the more convincing leather alternatives.
We are less fond of shorthand. Organic does not automatically mean low impact. Recycled is not always better once you have counted the processing. We would rather hear the actual story than tick a word.
Who Is Actually Behind It
We take a considerable interest in who owns and runs a business, because it shapes everything that follows. A good many of our brands are women-led or family-run, and a fair number quietly give away a slice of what they make.
When We Say No
Claims nobody can evidence. Production nobody can trace. Anything that looks rather a lot like volume wearing the language of craft.
We say no more often than we say yes, and we do try to explain why rather than sending something that begins "unfortunately". Nothing personal. The whole thing only works if the answer is sometimes no.
Questions Worth Asking
Of anyone, ourselves included. These are the ones that get past the marketing:
- Where and how is this made?
- What is it made of, and why that?
- How does this company make sure people are paid properly?
- How much will they actually tell you about their supply chain?
- Is this built to last, or built to be replaced?
More tools for asking them on our resources page.
What We Are Not Claiming
That we have solved this. The ground shifts constantly and anyone announcing otherwise is almost certainly selling something.
What we will say is that we ask uncomfortable questions of everyone here, and we do not stock the ones who cannot answer them. Curious about a particular brand? Do ask. We will tell you what we know, including the bits we are not sure about.
Think your brand belongs here? Have a look at why sell with us, then come and talk to us.
Or start browsing: shop by purpose, shop by location, or read who we are.