By Donna Richardson
When I was invited to a transformative yoga retreat with Tara Lee at the stunning Heritage Le Telfair, in Mauritius, I was immediately captivated by the island’s breathtaking beauty and its ongoing battle against global warming’s challenges.
As a frequent traveller, I often find the need to counterbalance my travels with ethical choices. I was impressed that Wellicious was supporting this trip, and was pleased to find a brand that not only caught my eye for its quality and stylish pieces but also contributes to making a difference, not one that just pays lip service and greenwashes.
Imagining the lush palms swaying in the gentle breeze and the turquoise waves lapping against the white sandy beaches, I was reminded of what we stand to lose, so I pledged to pack mainly sustainable clothing and garments that would not only embody my style but also respect and protect this remarkable environment. To offset the ecological footprint of my 1,2000 mile journey, I found a brand that aligned with these values, and Wellicious ticked all the boxes.
Wearing Wellicious
Wellicious’s approach is evident when you receive your order, lovingly wrapped by hand in recycled paper and adorned with dried flowers. As you put the products on your skin, they feel so soft that they don’t dig in. You feel fabulous, and you look great as you try them on.
I ordered the new caviar black, shoreline blue, and sea green leggings in XL, and they are true to size and very generous with their material, which stretches wonderfully. Mauritius was the perfect destination to wear them as they looked fantastic against the azure lagoon. I also received the blue-easy pocket leggings in shoreline blue, which support and hold you in all the right places. I paired them with a sea green control bra and a racer tank for a great look. Walking around the resort, I got many compliments, which boosted my confidence. However, it not only makes you feel good on the outside, but the satisfaction from knowing that they are eco-friendly and that wearing them positively impacts the island makes you feel good inside, too.
The Wellicious activewear and yoga collection is stretchy to allow free movement. Its secret ingredient is biodegradable elastane, recognised as Europe’s only ‘non-eco-toxic’ material made from GOTS-certified cotton sourced from Peru. This is spun into yarn and fabric under strict quality standards. Coupled with features of eco-efficient practices and non-toxic organic materials, the result is soft, luxurious clothing that’s gentle on the skin.
The highly wearable products feel good even in a hot and humid environment. I could stretch to my heart’s content while performing yoga moves in Tara’s classes, safely smug, I wasn’t shedding nasties onto the beautiful beach for hermit crabs to ingest. Wellicious is a proud pioneer of sustainability in the yoga activewear industry, proving that style, functionality, and environmental awareness coexist harmoniously.
Brand values
Wellicious is a luxury yoga and activewear brand that truly cares and aligns with the passion to save fragile ecosystems, such as those in Mauritius, by making conscious choices. You can wear Wellicious products confidently, knowing they are committed to environmental stewardship. The brand avoids harmful microplastics that could endanger marine life and contribute to beach pollution, making their items toxin-free. Choosing Wellicious for your yoga attire means investing in stylish, functional activewear while making a bold statement for our planet’s future. Also, Lady Amelia Windsor, 44th in line to the throne, was recently seen wearing Wellicious.
Wellicious in Mauritius
Wearing a brand like Wellicious in a natural beauty spot like Mauritius feels right. During my visit, I enjoyed exploring the Heritage Nature Reserve, where I encountered majestic ebony trees and beautiful natural waterfalls. The island boasts ten national parks, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites, and being among this natural beauty and wildlife ignited a passion in me to preserve it. Mauritius is actively working towards achieving Green Destination status by 2030. It has made significant progress in this direction, implementing measures such as banning single-use plastic bags, recycling wastewater, reducing food waste, protecting sea turtles, and developing eco-friendly accommodation options.
Perfect partners
Wellicious partnered with Heritage Le Telfair to host the unique yoga retreat with Tara Lee, allowing me to test the clothes in person. This retreat took place on the beach and at the Heritage Golf Club, and during my stay at this luxury hotel, I discovered that it had been awarded the Green Key eco-label.
The resort in the Bel Ombre region of South Mauritius is absolutely stunning. Its plantation-style architecture reflects French colonial influences and it was once the home of the botanist Charles Le Telfair. I stayed in the adults-only wing, which features spacious rooms equipped with large bathrooms, a desk, a TV, and a coffee station.
Additionally, my room had a private terrace that opened up to the adults-only pool. Upon my arrival, they adorned the bed with fragrant frangipani flowers, creating an idyllic atmosphere. Other rooms showcase four-poster beds, and some offer views of the beach, but all maintain the same timeless elegance.
The stunning hotel, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, promises all guests a carbon-neutral stay by providing water in glass and recycled plastic bottles, eco-friendly labelled amenities and ensuring flow regulators in faucets and showers to save water. Guests are also encouraged not to change sheets and towels during their stay.
Staying in the adults-only wing, I had complimentary butler service and access to wellness facilities at the Seven Colours Spa as well as the yoga sessions. Each room has fan air conditioning too, and you can choose environmentally friendly transportation options, such as taking an electric golf buggy for short distances.
A green Michelin-starred chef visits the resort each year, too, and of course, you can indulge in delicious locally sourced seafood, which cuts the carbon footprint of ingredients. The ocean plays a big part in this island’s story, as the Indian Ocean and a thriving coral reef encircle the island, a place where green turtles gently glide. My favourite time of the day was to go down to the bar on the beach and enjoy the sunset over the Indian Ocean, the land where the ocean meets the sky.
During my days there, I indulged in gourmet dining at their incredible restaurants and enjoyed various water sports and activities around the resort, including snorkelling along the vibrant reef. I also visited the beautiful Heritage Golf Club and the Links Golf Course at the Reserve Golf Club to learn to play golf, one of the greatest pastimes on the island.
How the brand began?
Founder Peruvian-German Heike Petersen Cunza loves marrying yoga with eco-friendly practices. It all began when she decided to put the practices gained on a Sustainable Supply Chain course at Cambridge University and ]inspired byher grandmother, a sustainability advocate to the test and start a fashion brand that challenged the industry, building a transparent and ethical production process as she founded Wellicious in 2007 – making circular, yoga, and activewear.
Their robust products are crafted from ethically sourced materials, naturally biodegrade, utilise toxic-free dyeing, and include vegan options, all produced in Europe. Wellicious uses Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold materials, which shun harmful microplastics, thereby safeguarding oceans and wildlife. The certified yarn suppliers guarantee that materials are environmentally safe and can decompose into nutrients for the soil. They emphasise skin-friendly products crafted with non-toxic dyes and finishes, ensuring their clothing is safe for its wearer as its biodegradable elastane is non-carcinogenic. At the same time, their GOTS-certified, pesticide-free organic cotton is ideal for sensitive skin. It is also safe for the planet, naturally breaking down at the end of its life cycle. Wellicious champions slow fashion over fast fashion every time.
Its time for a fashion rebellion
There is no time like the present to transform our approach to wellness in a rapidly changing world. So many of us operate on autopilot, so taking a moment to slow down can be refreshing. Fast living endangers our health and the planet, so Wellicious stands up and calls for a fashion rebellion. An eco-friendly luxury yoga brand that leads this movement against the fashion industry, the second-largest polluter globally, and is responsible for 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Fast fashion’s cheap production comes with heavy costs, including environmental destruction and worker exploitation. In response, Wellicious is proud to introduce the world’s first biodegradable yoga collection, certified Cradle to Cradle. This innovation enables women to wear comfortable, stylish clothing that aligns with their eco-friendly values. Let’s embrace a mindful lifestyle that honours both ourselves and our planet.
Making a stand
Overall, Wellicious has profoundly inspired me to contemplate the impact of my travels on the world around me. Responsible travel is not just a trend; it’s a powerful movement that fosters positive change in the communities and environments we visit. Each journey I undertake holds the potential to uplift the places and people I encounter, and I am committed to making choices that promote sustainability for future generations, allowing them to appreciate the stunning beauty of the destinations I explore.
With a firm belief in the importance of eco-consciousness, I will continue to seek collaborations with products that help mitigate my carbon footprint, ensuring my travels contribute to the planet’s health rather than detract from it. The yoga wear from Wellicious has surpassed my expectations; it hugs my body in all the right places and feels luxurious against my skin. The fabric is soft and breathable, allowing me to move fluidly and confidently during my practice. Wearing these pieces helps to inspire me.
As I embark on my adventures, I am wholeheartedly committed to practicing responsible travel. I will take my Wellicious gear along for any active holidays, knowing that this brand exemplifies a perfect blend of style and sustainability. Wellicious truly stands out as a beacon of harmony between fashion and environmental stewardship, making it a wonderful choice for those who care about the planet while seeking elegance in their activewear.
Reasons to love Wellicious
- Cradle to Cradle Certified® – Clothes that are safe for people and the planet
- Setting new standards in fashion – The world’s first Cradle to Cradle Certified®, and circular, yoga and activewear brand
- 100% organic cotton – GOTS-certified and sustainable
- Gentle on the skin & breathable – Wellcious clothing allows you to move freely and in comfort; they are ideal for yoga, exercise, and leisure
- Made in Europe -A fair and transparent supply chain
- Completely biodegradable and circular – Garments do not shed microplastics; they contain no harmful chemicals and toxins, and they decompose into organic matter
Find out more about Wellicious.
Packing List
Wellicious Shoreline Blue Easypocket Leggings £81
Control Bra Sea Green £79
Cropped Dance Vest Sunshine £79
