Anthea Ayache, Founding Editor of The Ethicalist

Long before sustainability became a buzzword, Anthea Ayache (@ethical_anthea) was on the front lines — witnessing firsthand the human and environmental cost of consumption.

As a humanitarian journalist reporting from some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, Anthea’s journey into sustainability wasn’t born from trend, but from truth.

Today, she’s the founder and editor-in-chief of The Ethicalist, the UAE’s first and only lifestyle platform dedicated to conscious living. From launching in a landscape where few were talking about sustainability to building a thriving community of eco-minded readers, Anthea’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose.

We sat down with Anthea to talk about her path into sustainability, raising eco-aware kids, her favourite UAE-based nature escapes, and why she believes platforms like Retykle are so essential in helping families embrace circular living.

1. Hi Anthea, could you start by telling us a little about yourself and your journey into sustainability?

I was finding my way as a humanitarian journalist, travelling to report on women’s and children’s rights in deprived communities and war zones. The more I travelled, the more I learned and the more I realised that we - humanity - were the problem.

In Cambodia, rural villages lacked access to clean water because fast fashion factories were pumping toxic dyes out into waterways leading to birth defects and serious health concerns amongst villagers. In Indonesia, Orangutans were disappearing as rainforests were being cleared to produce palm oil for our supermarket soaps and spreads.

In Afghanistan, landslides were devastating communities because forests were stripped away for cattle grazing and poppy farming. Everywhere I looked, the consequences of our consumption were impossible to ignore and once my eyes were open, I couldn't close them anymore.

2. What inspired you to launch The Ethicalist, and how has the publication evolved over the years? What’s next on your vision board?

I left my role as a features writer at a local magazine because I saw a real need for a lifestyle platform dedicated to conservation and sustainability. In 2017, I launched The Ethicalist, but at the time, the conversation around conscious living in this region was still in its infancy and people simply weren’t interested then.

Stepping away was so hard, but I focused on my family and was fortunate enough to have two daughters. When I relaunched in 2022, I couldn’t believe that no one else had set up a sustainable lifestyle magazine... We were still the first and only platform dedicated to conscious living.

The timing was finally right and we've grown exponentially, with four print editions under our belt and a special edition set to launch later this year. As for what’s next? You’ll have to wait and see!

3. Have you noticed a shift in sustainability awareness in the UAE? What progress excites you the most?

As I mentioned before, things have changed drastically in the UAE since 2017. COP28 marked a monumental shift in the sustainability conversation, and now there are countless businesses offering innovative solutions.

Back then, Thrift for Good was one of the only platforms promoting conscious living, but today, we have so many options to help us repurpose, recycle and reuse. Previously, if you lived in an apartment, recycling options were almost nonexistent but now, there are numerous services on offer.

We now have zero waste stores, a far better capacity to buy locally-grown food, access to UAE born eco-brands… it wasn’t the case just a few years ago. While there’s still a long way to go globally, the UAE is actively driving the sustainability agenda, and it’s inspiring to be part of the shift. 

Retykle: As part of the growing conversation around circular parenting in the UAE, our very own Armelle Liverton wrote a piece for The Ethicalist, Preloved Kids Clothes: How to Buy & Sell Like a Pro, where she shares how quickly kids go through clothing — and why resale makes a real difference.

If you’re curious about how to start or want to refine your resale routine, it’s a must-read — you can check it out here.

4. How do you incorporate sustainable habits into your daily life, and how do you encourage your kids to care for the planet?

We try to do as much as we can. We’re not perfect, but that’s exactly the ethos of The Ethicalist, it’s better to have hundreds of people trying their best than just one person doing it perfectly.

At home, we compost, use the RECAPP recycling service, and we buy our vegetables locally from the farmer’s market every Saturday. We have had a water filter to cut out plastic bottles since 2017. 

When it comes to the kids, I want sustainability to feel like second nature to them. My eldest goes to Arbor School, where eco-literacy is firmly in the curriculum and my youngest will join next year. At home, they make ice cream from overripe fruit, they turn off lights and are careful about water use.

They accept that I never have balloons at their birthday parties and my eldest refused one at a play area recently because, “it’s bad for the planet.” I was very proud! They also know I donate their clothes, and this time they loved helping pick which items to pass on to Retykle. We’re always learning, always trying our best, and that’s what truly matters

5. What are your favourite nature-based activities to enjoy with your kids on the weekend?

Every Saturday morning, we visit the farmer’s market, where the kids (3 and 5) help choose our vegetables. We often stop by the RIPE Market, which is fantastic for little ones, especially when they sit and feed the rescued animals. XPark Junior is another favourite for a great mix of nature and play for young children. We sometimes take them to the lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem to see the rescued turtles too. 

Tomorrow, we’re heading to Emirates Biofarm in Al Ain so they can see how food is grown, and of course, enjoy their delicious vegetarian food. While they’ve been a bit too young for camping, I’m looking forward to starting that this winter. And then there’s Hatta, we love going there with friends during the holidays. It’s an amazing staycation and they love the Hatta Honey Bee Farm! 

6. What does Retykle mean to you?

It’s wonderful to see Retykle launching in the UAE, as it will truly make a difference. While there are plenty of circular fashion platforms for adults, options for children have been surprisingly limited, despite the UAE being such a family-friendly country!

Retykle is filling a huge gap in the market, giving parents the opportunity to buy preloved designer kids' clothing at more affordable prices and making circular fashion more accessible all round. I’m excited to see the impact it will have. 

Explore and shop Anthea's featured closet here.

Follow Anthea's Socials!
IG here | The Ethicalist Magazine here