about the brand
An invitation to our Desert Island.
All of the change during pregnancy can be overwhelming.
Beyond the physical realms (growing a baby, decorating a nursery), there’s some significant mental and emotional shifts happening too.
Add to that all of the unknowns in a world upended and locked down - it has become a necessity - now more than ever - to dedicate regular time to check-in on yourself.
Self care can take many forms. It doesn’t have to be extravagant (but is totally justifiable)
We wanted to offer you a little indulgence into your every day....
10mins of beautiful relaxation and guided meditation to calm a busy mind and connect with yourself, nature and your baby.
Come journey with us.
Paradise awaits!
meet the founder
Who loves an overnight success story?...Unfortunately that's not our founding story, it’s been a long time in the making...
Our founder, Kate Ellis, a frustrated soulpreneur desperately craved purpose and impact. A passionate environmental activist with a growing addiction to natural skincare, for which she blames a combination of aging, motherhood, being a Dietitian and the 2020 millennial induction to TikTok, she conjured Desert Island Essentials in the height of COVID-19 pandemic.
Kate says, ‘The brand name came to me as I imagined a tropical island escape with my girlfriends (sans toddler). Swinging on hammocks, whilst being waited on by pool attendants delivering bottomless Pina Colada’s.’
Kate had envisaged a self-care brand that created bare necessities, items you’d need and want on a ‘desert island’, products that were natural, evidence-based but also utilitarian (how very millennial working mum) without compromising luxury. Frustrated by the deceitful and gimmicky use of the word ‘sustainable’, the lack of real care factor and the boring ‘eco’ beige branding in the industry. Desert Island Essentials was born - eco, end to end ethical, luxurious and sustainable. With a mission to be a catalyst for action, a pattern disrupt that inspires women to put the planet first, so that our children inherit a healthy Earth.