Catalyst winner shortlisted for Aviva Women of the Future Awards

South Devon entrepreneur Helen Davy FRSA, has gained prestigious Positive Luxury accreditation and is shortlisted for Women of the Future Awards for her swimwear line made from recycled waste - Davy J.

Helen Newcombe FRSA, economist, keen circular economy advocate and founder of Davy J swimwear only launched the debut range 'The Waste Collection' in May 2017, but has already been identified as an entrepreneur to watch and an emerging business leader.

Helen is shortlisted for the Aviva Women of the Future Award under the entrepreneur category. She has an ambitious vision to create a brand that really reconsiders the way we view materials, and advocates for a new way of valuing the stories and resources that go into making products and brands of the future. 

Davy J, run out of a small back office at LSN Architects in South Devon, has also received the prestigious 'Butterfly Mark' from Positive Luxury, in recognition of their committment to social and environmental sustainability. 

The fabric used in Davy swimsuits contains an innovative recycled nylon fibre - ECONYL ® yarn which is 100% regenerated from waste nylon sources. These include discarded fishing nets, carpet fluff, textile offcuts and pre-consumer nylon waste. 

For every 100 Davy J swimsuits sold, around 9kg of waste has been regenerated and through a collaboration with the healthy seas initiative among others, spent and ghost fishing nets are actively collected by volunteer divers and fishing communities and fed into the regeneration process to prevent the damage they can have to wildlife and ecosystems.  

Davy J is also committed to supporting British manufacturing and wears the Made in Britain marque on all its pieces. All their suits are made through a small production unit in Wales. 

The brand is embodied in its mission to support a circular economy and looks at ways to not only reduce its impact on the environment through its supply chain, production and packaging use, but also to actively work with and support processes that reduce wastage and maximise natural resource value at the end of a product's life.

Davy J suits are designed to be more durable and last longer. They are double lined and using high elastane content; the suits have a weighty strength to the material which makes for a very strong, high quality and stylish piece.

The winner of the Aviva Awards is due to be announced at a prestigious awards event in London's Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, in November.

Davy J was the recipient of an RSA Catalyst grant in 2016.