Peeled Pomegranate

Episode 8 is our first episode with a pair of cofounders! In episode 8, Didi sits down with SOBER BEAUTY’S Valentine Chen and Johannes Walch for an insider look at how they built China’s first clean & vegan beauty brand.SOBER BEAUTY has been certified by The Vegan Society, and their The O.N.E. Tinted Lip Oil was a Vogue Beauty Awards Finalist in 2023.In this episode, Val, Johannes, and Didi discuss:* How SOBER BEAUTY was born.* Unique challenges that Val and Johannes faced while developing clean beauty products in China.* How China’s clean beauty market has changed in the last 5 years.* Val and Johannes’ favorite product to develop so far.Hosted by Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO @ovonzo_officialVisit www.sober-beauty.com and follow them on Instagram at @soberbeauty_official, TikTok at @soberbeauty_official, and Rednote at @SOBER BEAUTY. Find SOBER BEAUTY in Harmay stores across China. Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, feel free to share, leave a review, or suggest potential podcast guests. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com

The guest for our 7th episode is Clara Simanjuntak. Clara is an architect-turned-sustainable fashion entrepreneur based in Singapore. She is also the founder of Nyana Nyana Eco and Something Sustainable, both of which support women-led ethical brands, artisan communities, and conscious consumers.Nyana Nyana Eco was selected as one of five Singapore designers to be featured in The Earthshot Prize Fashion Exhibition, curated by the Singapore Fashion Council (SFC).In this episode, Clara and Didi discuss:* What Clara was doing before founding her own sustainable fashion brands.* Nyana Nyana Eco’s focus on cultural heritage by working with women and artisans in rural areas, and its use of pre-consumer textile waste.* Clara’s multi-brand retail store, Something Sustainable, and the challenges she has overcome.* Advice for listeners who want to switch to a career that aligns with their values.* Clara’s plans to ship globally soon (watch out, international listeners)!Until next time, I’m your host, Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO.Visit something-sustainable.com and follow them at @nyananyana_eco & @something.sustainable. Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, feel free to share or leave a review. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com

Welcome to episode 6! In this episode, Didi chats with Yishu Wang. Yishu is the founder of Little Fierce, which makes bio-neutral kids’ shoes. Sourced sustainability in France and Germany, Little Fierce’s shoes are made in Portugal and shipped globally!In this episode, Yishu and Didi discuss:* What Yishu did before Little Fierce and how her previous experiences translated into building a brand.* Why it’s so essential to have the option of sustainable, bio-neutral shoes for children.* Why Little Fierce works with a small manufacturer in Portugal.* Small ways we stay sustainable, if not for ourselves, then for the future generations.Hosted by Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO.Visit heylittlefierce.com and follow them at @heylittlefierce. Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, feel free to share or leave a review. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com

Welcome to episode 5! In this episode, Didi talks to Carla Zhang. Carla is the founder and creative director of Le Ngok, a sustainable fashion label based in Manila and Shanghai.In this episode, Carla and Didi discuss:* Carla’s recent win at the 2025 Redress Design Award competition.* Le Ngok’s upcycling, zero-waste approach to fashion design.* How anime and manga awakened Carla’s interest in fashion, and how her move to Manila as a teenager influenced her creative expression.* How Carla balances growing her label with promoting conscious consumption.Until next time, I’m your host, Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO.Visit lengok.com and follow them on Instagram at @le_ngok. Follow them on Rednote at LE NGOK. Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, feel free to share or leave a review. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com

In our fourth episode, Didi interviews Itee Soni! Itee is the cofounder of Loop Swim, a sustainable swimwear brand, and founder of The Nectar Foundry, a sustainable home and gift brand. Originally from New Delhi, Itee has been based in Shanghai since 2007. She is a creative and an entrepreneur specializing in branding, womenswear, textiles, graphics, interiors, product, packaging, experiential design, sustainability, aromatherapy, reiki, and tarot.In this episode, Itee and Didi discuss:* Itee’s journey from New Delhi to Shanghai, her career, and how Loop Swim evolved from FINCH Designs.* How Loop Swim’s swimsuits are UPF 50+ and manufactured from recycled PET plastic bottles through their supplier, REPREVE.* How learning reiki, aromatherapy, and tarot led to Itee’s second company, The Nectar Foundry, and how it still relates to what she originally started out to do.* What Itee’s 10-year-old self would say if she saw her today.Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, feel free to share or leave a review.Until next time, I’m your host, Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO.For our international listeners, visit loopswim.com and follow them on Instagram at @loopswim.Subscribe to thenectarfoundry.substack.com and follow them on Instagram at @thenectarfoundry.For our listeners in China, follow Loop Swim and The Nectar Foundry on Rednote. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com

In this episode of Peeled Pomegranate, Didi talks to Andrea Sonntag-Vega, an ophthalmologist and cofounder of 5Loops, a sustainable eyewear brand with a circular economy concept. Growing up with her twin sister Caroline near the beaches of Peru, Andrea experienced nature as something self-evident. As they moved around the world and saw the impact of many pollutants on nature and people, Andrea decided to start 5Loops as a way to bring about change in eyewear consumption.In this episode, Andrea and Didi discuss:* How Andrea’s childhood on the beautiful, clean beaches in Peru influenced her journey in sustainability.* How 5Loops contributes to a circular economy.* The importance of mental wellness and mutual support in building a sustainable community.Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, feel free to share or leave a review.Until next time, I’m your host, Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO.For our international listeners, visit 5-Loops.com and follow them on Instagram at @5loops_eyewear.For our listeners in China, check out 5Loops’ Rednote and WeChat Shop (5Loops). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com

Our first interview episode is here! In this episode, Didi chats with Odile Pauline, a fashion executive, designer & founder of Odile Atelier, a bridal and bespoke brand based in the Philippines. In this episode, Odile and Didi discuss:* The story of Odile Atelier’s beginnings.* How Odile Atelier makes bridal gowns sustainable.* A fresh perspective on The Devil Wears Prada and how fashion is directly tied to the future of consumption and sustainability.Hosted by Didi Aphra, cofounder of OVONZO.Find Odile on Instagram & TikTok @odilepauline. Check out her bridal and bespoke brand @odileatelier. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peeledpomegranate.substack.com