What Happened at Journey to Zero 2023?

Celebrating luxury and sustainability with gloss – not greenwash. Journey to Zero 2023 was an exclusive reader event at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a Belmond hotel.

Journey to Zero 2023

This year’s Journey to Zero event was held at the glorious Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Last year, Country & Town House and Baillie Newman hosted the first-ever Journey To Zero, an evening dedicated to why sustainability and luxury must go hand in glove.

A hundred guests – a mix of influencers and readers – enjoyed a vegan feast at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden while listening to a live interview with luxury legend Anya Hindmarch, and a panel discussion bringing the subject to life with Anabel Kindersley, Arizona Muse and George Lamb.

This year, we went rural, but not just any rural. We invited 40 readers to a unique and exclusive experience at the only restaurant in the world to have held two Michelin stars for an impressive 39 years. Helmed by the charismatic, charming and inspirational Chef-patron, Raymond Blanc OBE, a visit to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is always unforgettable.

It’s not just delicious, nourishing food our guests sampled either, but nourishing conversation and experiences too. They spent the morning having an exclusive cookery demonstration, followed by a private garden tour. A Veuve Clicquot Champagne reception then awaited them, before guests settled down to hear C&TH editorial director Lucy Cleland talk to Raymond about his life, career and how luxury is embracing sustainability. Then there was an unforgettable vegan feast and a lively panel discussion with some very exciting guests, including Arizona Muse, Poppy Okotcha and George Lamb.

Event sponsors, Skydiamond, Polestar and Molton Brown were on hand with information about their wonderful products and guests went home with a host of ethical treats to try. 

Journey to Zero 2023 Brand Partners

Skydiamond

Skydiamond, based in the Cotswolds, are working to change the way we go about diamonds. Their cloud-sourced, carbon-negative diamonds are created entirely from the sky. They use atmospheric carbon, 100 percent green energy, recycled rainwater and actually puts back air cleaner than they take. Not to mention, they’re entirely ethical and free from social harm, so offer the ultimate in guilt-free glam. Diamonds minded from the sky are the perfect gift that symbolises 21st century love. skydiamond.com

Polestar

Polestar is a Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer. Founded in 2017, Polestar is headquartered in Gothenburg with vehicles on the road in 27 markets globally. Polestar has produced two electric performance cars. Polestar 1 – a low-volume hybrid performance GT – and Polestar 2 – the brand’s first fully electric, high-volume car. Last year saw the launch of Polestar 3, the company’s first electric performance SUV and Polestar 4 followed this year – a smaller electric performance SUV coupe. Polestar plans to unveil one new electric vehicle annually up to 2026.  As Polestar seeks to reduce its climate impact with every new model and aims to produce a truly climate-neutral car by 2030 in an undertaking it calls ‘Polestar Project Zero’. polestar.com

Molton Brown

Born on South Molton Street, London in 1971, Molton Brown is an icon of uniquely British style. Its eaux de parfum and toilette, and bath, body, hair and home collections have been made in England since day one – and they’re committed to this for their future. Sourcing only the best ingredients in exceptional fragrance concentrations, their quality has awarded them with a Royal Warrant from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As part of their ever-evolving sustainable journey, they never have and never will test on animals, they run their own manufacturing facility in Elsenham and they champion beauty that’s kinder to the environment. Inspired by their progressive home, London, they work side-by-side with their eclectic set of perfumers to empower customers with long-lasting, distinctive fragrances they’ll love. moltonbrown.co.uk

Yves Delorme

Yves Delorme unites poetry, audacity, excellence and savoir-faire; constantly renewed by its creativity, for a vibrant and sustainable craftsmanship. This particular alchemy has driven its international influence and its capacity to create, to delight and to progress. Founded in France in 1845, Yves Delorme is a family-owned, international luxury home linen brand recognised by the French government as an ‘Enterprise of Living Patrimony’ – an indicator of the highest quality manufacturing. Its first boutique opened in Paris in 1979; now the company has over 400 stores worldwide, including the flagship on London’s Walton Street. Here, clients can find luxury bed and bath linen, homeware, nightwear, gifts and a monogramming and bespoke service. yvesdelorme.com