There’s something to be said for a simple bar of soap – especially an organic, handmade one. While its liquid counterpart comes in plastic containers that will go on to pollute our oceans in the form of micro particles, the 100% biodegradable facial soaps made by Berlin cosmetics brand Binu come beautifully wrapped in tissue paper, have no synthetic additives and are never tested on animals. Besides doing their part to improve the planet, these vegan soaps actually work. Made from scratch in Korea and inspired by a long tradition of bathing, the cleaning slabs labeled “bamboo”, “calendula” and “charcoal” cleanse, protect and nourish the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed rather than tight. Binu offers a simple online skin test (tested, works!) for those who aren’t sure which soap to best suits their skin. A mini set with three samples also doubles as a travel size kit. Don’t forget to order the face brush too! (Text: Nina Trippel / Photos: Binu)

Binu: Online shop, Instagram, Facebook

Sometimes we come across an artist whose modest presentation of their work belies its great beauty. Such is the case with Subin Kim. The designs she creates in her Kreuzberg apartment are not only a sustainable answer to fast fashion; they’re also really cool. The career that took Kim from her native South Korea to Paris via China could have culminated in her creating an own fashion label. Instead, it was her artistic passion that prevailed. Inspired by antique Asian paintings, her favored medium to embellish with her light brush strokes are loose silk shirts, found while rummaging through flea markets stalls. Her abstract figures in motion — which she perfected in life drawing classes — look just as good on denim. See for yourself at Grus Grus in Wedding or Dandy Horse Berlin, which sells Kim’s blouses, bomber jackets and jeans. The artist also accepts commissions — drop her a line before you consider saying goodbye to your old silk tops. (Text: Jasmin Tomschi / Photos: Subin Kim & Raphael Ganahl)

Subin Kim: Website & Instagram