ENVIRONMENT A Drop in The Ocean Holly Hughes discovers a community of composters Virginia OGara of the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP). F ood waste is not a pollutant, its a treasured resource, Virginia OGara, one of the founders of the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP), tells me. We are speaking in those strange, twilight days that signal the end of the festive season, when all kinds of waste but particularly food waste, lurks in every fridge and cupboard. We buy, we consume, we throw away, we start again. A familiar pattern. One that fills me with a certain measure of hopelessness as no matter how much I try to manage leftover food with wastefree hacks, there still remains a mini mountain to be disposed of. Cork City households produce around 30 tonnes of food scraps every day. And, since most of us living in urban spaces have neither the space nor time to home-compost, roughly 60 per cent of this organic waste is being incinerated or sent to landfill where it emits toxic methane emissions that accelerate climate breakdown. So my feelings of hopelessness are justified. Luckily, the Cork Urban Soil Project is in the business of cultivating hope. The first experiment of its kind in Ireland, CUSP is rethinking the value and fate of urban green waste, turning would-be food scraps into high-quality compost that can be used in socially and environmentally beneficial ways, from growing more nutritious food in urban micro farms, to supporting tree planting schemes (Micheál Martin recently planted trees in the citys new Marina Park using CUSPs soil), reducing the impact of flooding and erosion, improving water quality, and remediating polluted soils. The idea for CUSP came from Virginias experience running community food company, MyGoodness. Even with MyGoodnesss meticulous optimisation of every available food scrap and resource drinks are made from harvested rainwater, leftover vegetables find new life in pickles, preserves, and ferments a seemingly unusable byproduct was always left over. 48 February 2023 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE Understanding that every human activity has an output, Virginia and her team began to wonder how this could be transformed into an input; how waste could find new life in our human system of produce, consume, discard and in a way that could benefit and unite communities. How could we work together to create a simple solution to everyones problem which is that human beings create waste? This led to the realisation that its not waste that is the issue, its the centralised system designed to take care of it. Waste only becomes a pollutant if its put into the wrong piece of the design, Virginia tells me. And our food waste sent to landfill and incinerators is being put in the wrong place. It is being forced down the chute of a linear system that cant recognise or utilise it for the gift that it is. What we wanted to do was take that linear system and turn it into a closed loop, Virginia says, Where our output could actually become an input and waste wouldnt be seen as a pollutant but as a treasured resource. To do this, CUSP invested in the help of a Joraform aerobic biodigestor. This is a machine that can turn the green waste of up to 100 households into high-quality compost in just four weeks, all while using the equivalent energy of a ten-minute blow dry. Best of all, its sealed and compact design addresses many of the composting issues urban dwellers fear. Namely, rodents and a lack of gardening spaces objectives. This is integral to CUSP, which is dedicated to creating a waste solution that is convenient, accessible, and easily replicable for others. As Virginia tells me, were trying to create systems that are easy, understandable, and convenient for everyone who lives in Cork City, so we can celebrate compost instead of disdaining it. Since CUSP began in 2018, there has been much to celebrate. Using the Joraform to compost MyGoodnesss food and packaging waste, CUSP has turned almost 13 tonnes of would-be rubbish into over six tonnes of highquality compost since August 2021. This is actually only half of what the Joraform can produce when working at full capacity. The resulting compost has been used in CUSPs 15 raised beds to grow a selection of vegetables, flowers, and herbs that have become staples in the MyGoodness kitchen, completing the closed loop system envisioned. And, while the tangible success of CUSPs composting scheme is clear establishing sustainable food production from waste products, boosting Cork Citys biodiversity with varied plants and vegetables, and cultivating a powerful resource in the fight against climate change and food poverty (compost soil can retain over four times its weight in water which is crucial in flood prevention) it also fertilises something other than soil: hope. Since it began, CUSP has provided a haven for anyone seeking an alternate way of doing things, or even a moment of respite from urban chaos. I have met so many more people since the garden was planted, says Virginia. Weve met so many great community groups even corporations are talking to us about designing circular systems. CUSPs neighbours have come on board too: the Franciscan Wells Brewery fuels the biodigestor with used beer mats while Rebel City Distillery donates its leftover botanicals to add a special diamond to the compost machine. Strangers have offered to lend a hand, and community members have assembled, Avengers-style, to source, build, and tend to this project, proving how successfully CUSP has achieved what it set out to do: to build a community through compost and deliver hope to those who need it. After all, as Virginia eloquently tells me, Hope is probably the only renewable resource that we actually have. CUSP is designed to be easily replicable by many reading this. Yet, whether this piece inspires you to volunteer, begin your own composting initiative or do nothing at all, I hope that it reminds you of this fact: that hope is the most important thing. With it, we can create the world we want to see ourselves. And its not skill that is needed. Not vast amounts of money or expertise. Its simply the curiosity to try. @holly_hughes_words HOW COULD WE WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO EVERYONES PROBLEM WHICH IS THAT HUMAN BEINGS CREATE WASTE? NEW SEASON FASHION / WINES WITH ALTITUDE / FASCINATING NOVELS / A LONDON LOWDOWN / THE HIDDEN ROLES OF WOMEN AT WORK MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2023 with THE IRISH TIMES ww gloss.ie the w. DUSTING FOR DOLLARS THE RISE OF THE CLEAN~FLUENCER + PERFECTIONISTS A fancy penthouse ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS Erot CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE THE GLOSS MONTHLY REMINDER SIGN UP to receive a monthly reminder by email when THE GLOSS is out so that you never miss an issue. Simply register your details on WWW.THEGLOSS.IE. PU B LI S H E R JANE MC DONNELL EDITOR SARAH MC DONNELL 12 D E PU T Y E D I TO R PENNY MC C 60 SECONDS TO PLUMPER SKIN: with vegetable squalane CLARINS.COM a duo of hyaluronic acids + organic leaf of life extract New Hydra-Essentiel [HA2] Triple action to plump and hydrate with a duo of hyaluronic acids + organic leaf of life extract. Our duo of hyaluronic acids instantly plumps and hydrates skin. Clarins exclusive organic leaf of life extract boosts GLOSSIP TWO UP Gloss~ip Sweet on these! R #ROMCOMCORE Make time for things you love in February TON Channel the new #romcomcore aesthetic inspired by favourite 1990s and 2000s movies (Clueless, My Best Friends Wedding, 16 Candles). Wear Mom jeans, velour pieces and baby doll dresses ... STA Photos by Flavien Carlod, Baptiste Le Quiniou, for advertising purposes only. TASCHEN. French Art de Vivre Bubble 2. Curved 3-4 seat sofa, designed by Sacha Lakic. £5,390 reduced from £6,340. Upholstered in Orsetto Flex fabric. Fully tufted. L. 248 x H. 80 x D. 132 cm. Price valid until 30/06/2023 MOODBOARD 7 February Mood 1. IM GIVING as good as I get with Wexford chocolatiers www.beanandgoose.ie Totally Love Collection. 2. IM LOVING The Louvre for giving house room to Antonio Canovas Psyche Revived by Cupids Kiss. 3. IM A WILLING slave to love in a Síne Vasquez Pillar T-bar pendant in F-PACE Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the F-PACE 23MY R dynamic HSE in mpg (I/100km): Combined 11.4 l/100km 2.4 l/100km. CO2 Emissions 275g/km- 49g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturers tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real FASHION 2 Spot The Trend 3 Transition to spring in low-key looks, says Aislinn Coffey 1 5 4 8 BOTTEGA VENETA 7 6 9 DELIGHT IN THE EVERYDAY One of the biggest highlights of the SS23 shows was model Kate Moss sashaying down Matthieu Blazys Bottega Veneta catwalk in a casual, logo-less che Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the 23MY Range Rover Sport in mpg (I/100km): Combined 19.4 l/100km 0.9 l/100km. CO2 emissions 266g/km- 20g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturers tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figur FASHION COBALT BLUE RALPH LAUREN TRENDS WE L O V E LONG SKIRTS ALEXANDER MCQUEEN JASON WU Prepare to see Yves Kleins highly pigmented blue everywhere. A spike in cyan reflects fashions inclination towards more vibrant palettes this year. HOW TO WEAR Head to toe or paired with neutrals like cam Extra Space. Effortless Organisation. Discover the new Siemens XXL American Style Multi Door fridge freezers. Need help choosing your kitchen appliances? Let our Siemens appliances experts guide you. Visit our Siemens Appliances Showroom. BSH Home Appliances Ltd, M50 Business Park, Ballymount, Dub TORY BURCH FASHION SEQUINS TIN EN SHEER JOY Each designer put their own spin on this sheer, sultry, lingerie-inspired trend. HOW TO WEAR Its about showing a little, not a lot. Wear a crisp T-shirt under a sheer slip dress or with a sheer-panelled skirt. For a more daring look, show off abs and a NEW ARRIVALS www.newbridgesilverware.com Newbridge - Athgarvan Road Blanchardstown - Shopping Centre Tallaght - The Square SC Limerick - The Crescent SC Dublin - Arnotts Kilkenny - High Street Cork - Mahon Point & Merchants Quay SAINT LAURENT S FASHION SH E CARGO PANTS DRIES VAN NOTEN M A K E -U P U P D A TE C H O Were opening our eyes to a lighter way to wear mascara brown is a somewhat softer and more relaxed option than black for defined lashes with less drama. Try Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes TRAVEL ADVERTORIAL CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS OF FASHION Thank you to our valued and loyal customers for your support since 2003 Sara Roka Sportmax Fabiana Filippi Rosso 35 Hayley Menzies High Castanea Soru Tissa Fonteneda Provincial House, Bishop Street, Newcastle West, Co Lim RABIH KAYKROUZ MO NIQ UE LH UIL LIE R HELEN CODY MONIQUE LHUILLIER FASHION FASHION Olivia Uniacke Gene vieve Mora no Cam pori NUPTIAL NOTES O Hot pink, pockets, pants suits and pjs are trending for weddings this year, says Penny McCormick NADINE MERABI ne of the most Instaworthy INVESTMENT CLUB Cally Beaton Laura DeVoy THE GLOSS GOODBODY INVESTMENT CLUB The Fantasy Trading Competition For every woman who wants to know more about building a financial plan, developing investment knowledge is a key ingredient. Starting this month, our Fantasy Trading Competition comprises MENS STYLE Menswear Notes STYLE CV 1 Pack light and smart for a weekend away HARTFORD 2 3 4 I f youre escaping for the bank holiday and booking somewhere snug (try newly spruced Liss Ard Estate in West Cork; www.lissardestate.ie or Longueville House in Mallow; www.longuevillehouse.ie), ma ADVERTORIAL Port House Ibericos FOR THE HAPPY GRAZER PORT HOUSE IBERICOS is a supremely atmospheric and cosy restaurant with flickering candles and exposed brick walls. The rear terrace is perfect for summer dining and the menu is all-encompassing in its range of tapas and pintxos. The selection HEALTH SexyYOGA Kate OBrien investigates how yoga can enhance and improve sexual health and relationships I n 1990, Sting, a yoga devotee, made a throwaway comment (which has haunted him for life) about the seven-hour tantric sex sessions he enjoyed with his wife Trudi Styler. At the time, he sai Our masterpieces, require a master. The difference is Gaggenau. Create your masterpiece with ours. The new combi-steam ovens and oven range open up a world that is waiting to be mastered. Every Gaggenau piece is distinctively designed and crafted from exceptional materials to offer professional per bespoke hand crafted living FOR EVERY ROOM EVERY DETAIL BES PO KE M ADE AND FITTED SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT D RUMLECK, CAST L EBEL L ING HAM , C O LOUTH T: 0 4 2 9 3 7 26 25 I N FO @ O C O N N O R S O FD R U ML EC K . I E OCONNORSOFDRUMLECK.IE CU STOM DES IGNED AND FITTED FOR EACH LIVING S PAC E C USTO MI SED C O LO UR A ND DESI G N NO SPECK LEFT BEHIND Clean-fluencers like Mrs Hinch are making millions demonstrating their highly evolved cleaning skills on Instagram. Sam Johnson-Schlee wonders at their appeal S ophie Hinchcliffe set up an Instagram account to document her approach to cleaning in March 2018, and her account r LIFESTYLE CLEAN-FLUENCERS Search CleanTok on TikTok and youll instantly be presented with all manner of cleaning hacks, from stop-start videos filling aesthetically pleasing colour-coordinated fridges, to tips on how to clean your sofa (one method involves a microfibre cloth, dishwasher tablet, and WORKING LIFE Hello, Im here to help Women assume all sorts of unpaid roles in the workplace, from cleaning (literally) to emotional cleaning (read on to find out what that is). Gabriella Braun explores the toll this kind of micro gender inequality takes ... S unlight bounced off the sleek, glass- WORKING LIFE WE ALL NEED TO ACT BY LOOKING OUT FOR THE MICRO GENDER INEQUALITY GOING ON AROUND US ALL THE TIME AND THE INSIDIOUS AS WELL AS OVERT WAYS WOMEN ASSUME THE ROLES OF CARER AND CLEANER, AND MEN LEARN TO EXPECT THIS. Mary told me that the thought of networking filled her with dread; she 0404 65000 info@newcastledesign.ie WELLBEING Perfectionists Identify Yourselves! T Therapist Katherine Morgan Schaflers research reveals perfectionism is a phenomenon, not a disorder The night before our wedding, my husband and I decided to sleep separately, so that each of us could spend the evening in the most relaxing way possi WELLBEING Highly self-disciplined, classic perfectionists are adept at presenting in a uniform way, making it difficult to take their emotional temperature. Are they thrilled? Enraged? Having the best orgasm of their life? Who knows. Theyre either stoic or smiling as if theyre about to have their pi BEAUTY Beauty Notes RIXO A FRED MEYLAN spa treatment is truly welcome in February even better when its right on our doorstep. Were excited to visit Irelands first Clarins Boutique and Skin Spa, just opened on Wicklow Street in Dublin 2. Ive experienced Clarins facials elsewhere (most notably at Get closer to whats important Special Offers Take time to rejuvenate at Killeavy Castle Estate Relax your body and mind with a luxurious stay at Killeavy Castle Estate. One of Irelands most unique getaway locations, Killeavy Castle Estate provides the perfect setting for guests to truly switch off FOOD Cook or Go Out To Eat? Trish Deseine weighs the options for Valentines Day I ts a tricky one, Saint Valentines Day, for the over-16s. Restaurants can quickly become theatres of self-consciousness, particularly those deemed romantic all year round and expected to hard deliver on February 14. WINE WINE A Higher Calling Julie Dupouy finds wines with altitude Douro Valley, Portugal A s many of you dig out your thermal layers and head to the ski slopes for your first break of the new year, Dry January will be a fading memory. The idea of a refreshing aperitif or a giddy lunch to break DINING TROCADERO, DUBLIN 2 THE ROOM Dublins self-proclaimed theatre restaurant, Trocaderos lilting jazz, vintage light fittings, plush red velvet and signed portraits of actors who have dined there add to its clublike allure. ON THE PLATE The nostalgic theme continues on the menu with retro favourit BOOKS BOOKS Reading Notes Orna Mulcahy finds fascinating books for February T HE LAST TALE OF THE FLOWER BRIDE (Hodder & Stoughton, €19) is the first adult novel from best-selling American YA author Roshani Chokshi and its very good. A dark love story with a Gothic feel, it recalls the best, mos TRAVEL Glossy Stays Plenty of hyped openings this spring mean the London hotel scene is thriving, says Penny McCormick One of the Terrace Suites CHECKING IN: THE MARYLEBONE VIBE A fashionable five-star townhouse in the heart of Marylebone village. ROOMS 252 I The Peninsula London is in a prime TRAVEL ADVERTORIAL EVA BERGS TRAVEL DIARIES The seasoned traveller and Pilates pro finds much to love about Kolanaki, Athens The Lobby area Stavros NiarchosCultural Centre CHECKING IN: THE OTHER HOUSE, SOUTH KENSINGTON THE VIBE Pied-à-terre meets private club this is guests other house for as l INTERIORS The living room Home Suite Home W Years in the planning, the interior of this elegant Dublin penthouse has all the features of a luxury hotel suite PHOTOGRAPHS BY HELEN CATHCART hen a London-based Irish developer bought the famous Oscar Taylors restaurant and Island View Hotel on the Co INTERIORS The hallway of the apartment was inspired by the elegant retail spaces of luxury brands. A stairway lined with mirrors, like those at the Chanel boutique at 31 rue Cambon, and hand-painted silk wallcoverings, is a glamorous introduction to this very luxurious space. The scalloped pendant INTERIORS EVERY INCH OF THIS ELEGANT PENTHOUSE WAS DESIGNED AND FINISHED WITH EXCEPTIONAL ATTENTION TO DETAIL. ABOVE In the bedroom, with its art deco feel, every piece of furniture was designed to fit perfectly, while the pink marble en suite bathroom is pretty and luxurious. BELOW LEFT The guest This Glossy Life ALEX BRAMELL Step inside the playful London home of artist couple Charlotte and Philip Colbert S The Colberts in their double-height living room. The sofa and armchairs are by Oliver Gustav. The coffee table is by Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert. urrealist artists Charlotte a 46 February 2023 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD (from four townhouses), with additional help from Buchanan Studio, former set designers known for their cool aesthetic. La Colombe dOr art hotel in St Paul de Vence in the South of France, where magnificent art is coolly and casually displa ALEX BRAMELL CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD ALEX BRAMELL THIS GLOSSY LIFE THE GLOSS MAGAZINE February 2023 47 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE February 2023 47 ENVIRONMENT A Drop in The Ocean Holly Hughes discovers a community of composters Virginia OGara of the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP). F ood waste is not a pollutant, its a treasured resource, Virginia OGara, one of the founders of the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP), tells me. We are speaking i Book a design consultation and discover a new way of living. mcnallyliving.ie Book a design consultation today +353 1 660 4856 46 Serpentine Avenue Ballsbridge Dublin 4