deDANÚ set to showcase at craft and design fair

An Athlone couple whose skincare and wellness firm launch was derailed by Covid has bounced back and is now under the national spotlight at Ireland’s top craft and design fair.

And deDANÚ fits perfectly into the climate change movement – using zero water in the manufacture of its products.

Leah and James Fletcher are making their debut appearance at contemporary craft and design fair, Gifted, at Dublin’s RDS from December 1-5.

More than 500 designers, makers and artisan food producers will feature at Ireland’s largest Christmas gift shopping event, which will provide a crucial boost to unique brands and makers after the pandemic forced its cancellation last year.

Over €5 million is expected to be spent at the Fair on contemporary Irish jewellery, cosmetics, fashion, accessories, ceramics, interiors, art, photography and children’s gifts.

The seeds of Athlone-based deDANÚ were sown when former primary school teacher Leah emigrated to Canada - but a planned six-month trip turned into a decade.

She met her husband-to-be, Vancouver native James Demello in 2013, and their son Jack was born three years later.

Leah began working for a Canadian company anxious to understand European policies for product launches in Europe and it was at this point, she noticed a gap in the market to establish Ireland’s first carbon neutral health and wellness brand.

Both are now partners in the business, exporting to the US and employing seven people at a 10,000sq ft pharmaceutical facility in Athlone Business Park.

“We are an Irish founded, skincare and wellness company and the whole premise behind it is that we scientifically formulate our products - they are made in a scientific environment,” she said.

“We have a range of botanical products, oils, creams and serums and were the first in Ireland to put cannabigerol (CBG) into skincare products.

“Part of our whole approach was to set up a circular manufacturing process, with the goal to be water free - usually, the cosmetic industry is very heavy on water usage.

“There is no need for water in most cosmetics. If you buy a cream and it is 80% water, it is carbon heavy.”

Launching deDANÚ did not come without its challenges – Leah and James were both on course to launch a week before Ireland went into its first lockdown in March 2020.

“We had to press pause but went online and people loved our stuff, especially during that time. People who couldn’t take clients out to dinner sent them packages instead.”

Gifted organiser, Patrick O’Sullivan, described the RDS Fair as “a huge boost” to the independent creative sector.

“It is vital to the industry as a whole and it is estimated that it generates enough business to keep most of the exhibitors busy for at least four months of the year,” he said.

Gifted, The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, takes place at the RDS Main Hall in Dublin’s Ballsbridge from December 1-5. Full details and booking at www.giftedfair.ie. Special 10% discount on all purchases on December 1.