The Eco Gypsy

The Eco Gypsy is a label that spans genres—fashion, travel and living. What started out as a magazine dedicated to eco-travel has expanded into a sustainable fashion label specializing in handmade dresses, beachwear, jewelry and handbags, and its latest adventure involves eco-friendly rental properties. The mastermind behind the Bali-based company, Electra Gillies, describes her aesthetic as “barefoot, but not basic” and the brand reflects her personal taste for luxury and elegance mixed in with a carefree bohemian spirit.

Shop Latitude finds out more about her brand, and the latest chapter in the Eco Gypsy story—hand-built boutique houses.

 Electra Gillies

Q: What is the driving force behind The Eco Gypsy?

A: I started out with a vision to reinvent the concepts of ‘eco’ and ‘sustainable’ as something cooler, sexier and more luxurious. I want to guide people to a better understanding of what these terms actually mean, so that they don’t fall for generic ‘green washing.’ In the world of chaotic fast-paced technology, I would like people to return to a more laidback, natural and unplugged lifestyle.

Q: What led you to found the company?

A: Returning to work after having my daughter made me care a lot more about the future—motherhood makes you fearless in many ways. I’ve been a travel writer for 15 years, and always tried to push eco-travel as an alternative, to make readers realize that it doesn’t mean they have to ‘rough it.’ So I set up The Eco Gypsy as an ethical travel magazine at first, and later began designing beachwear inspired by my life in Bali. The brand is completely handmade, mainly by women I have worked with for years, which helps to build relationships and support local cottage industries.

Q: What do you look out for when sourcing materials for your label?

A: I source materials from throughout the whole Indonesian Archipelago. There are over 17,000 islands with their own style, textiles and cultures, so I look for traditional techniques and pieces that I can modernize. The cuffs are inspired by Papuan tribes, the rattan is from Borneo, and crocheting is from villages around Bali. Our organic bamboo cotton dresses are embellished with sustainably sourced and CITES-approved shells that I buy from sea gypsies. I very much believe in sourcing and producing locally and giving back to the country that is now my home.

Q: Tell us about your latest venture.

A: Eco Gypsy Houses is our newest project—they’re luxurious, sustainable and hand-built properties for rent. My partner, Lorenzo, designs and builds the houses, along with a traditional joglo (Javanese wooden house) maker who hand-carves all our houses from his family's sustainable forest. They plant twenty trees for every one cut to provide for their family's future generations. The first property opens in July/August, and is located on the west coast of Bali in a village called Seseh. It’s known to be one of the hippest areas in Bali, with large private villas, and is actually in a protected ‘green belt’ area, surrounded by rice fields.

Q: What is your biggest source of inspiration?

A: I am a mix of Malaysian Indian and Scottish South African, and grew up between Singapore and the English countryside, so I have always drawn influence from a multitude of countries and cultures. I love the nostalgia of travelling when I was younger —it was all about time, experience and discovery rather than a social media photo.

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