Here are a few figures for you: to manufacture a pair of jeans, over 3,000 litres of water is required. 20% of water pollution stems from the treating and dyeing of textiles alone. In China alone, an annual estimate of 2.5 billion tons of environmentally harmful wastewater gets dumped into the rivers, lakes and oceans.
Fabrics such as nylon and polyester also emit harmful compounds that are 300 times stronger than regular greenhouse gases. Even in the textile production business, over 1,600 different chemicals are used in dyeing processes, but only 16 of these chemicals are EPA-approved.
It’s scary to think that something as feel-good as buying a new pair of shoes or a top has a butterfly effect on the environment, causing so much destruction for only a fleeting moment of pleasure. And with global temperatures on the rise and scientists anxiously watching the doomsday clock, it feels more pertinent than ever to shop consciously.
These fashion brands are doing right by Mother Nature, and pairing their environmentally conscious ethos with designs that don’t skimp on chic.
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Why we love them: Co-founded in 2005 by U2 frontman Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, Edun has quickly risen through the ranks of American fashion and simultaneously raised the bar when it came to designing chic, sustainable fashion.
Besides supporting sustainable practices, the label also works with community-based artists and partners in Africa to empower and encourage trade.
Why we love them: Using both ethical fabrics and fabrication methods, Study is committed to creating less waste in fashion and protecting the earth. This means that the brand sticks to a zero-waste policy, while sourcing for responsibly-made textiles and produces fewer but better products that won’t end up in a landfill so quickly.
Furthermore, designer Tara St James lends to the label her eye for architecturally minimalist details that are still trendy and incredibly chic.
Why we love them: Having already found high-profile fans in Emma Watson and Marion Cotillard, the French footwear label is militant in providing their customers with comfortable footwear choices without leaving carbon footprint in the process.
Sourcing from fair-trade dealers, Veja doesn’t produce excessive amounts of stock, thereby ensuring that it only makes what can be sold by retailers. The brand also focuses on cutting down CO2 emissions, and the eco-friendly mindset is reflected from the first stitch right to its recycled packaging.
Why we love them: As a fast fashion giant, we are already familiar with the Swedish label. However, the street fashion monolith’s eco-conscious label is made with at least 20% organic, recycled or sustainable fabrics, allowing them to cut down on the environmental damage.
Plus, the clothing giant also encourages customers to donate their clothing to any one of their worldwide stores and enjoy a 15% discount for upcycling old threads.
Why we love them: Having racked up a slew of accolades from leading fashion arbiters, Svilu prides themselves on making effortless staples for the modern working woman, using responsibly-sourced fabrics that are fairly produced without adding to the burgeoning list of environmental issues we are already facing.
Expect to find easy separates that are cosmopolitan, comfortable and easy to integrate into your day-to-day outfits.
Why we love them: Much like Stella McCartney, Freedom Of Animals is dedicated to creating accessories that are cruelty-free and animal-free. Working with highly-graded materials, the 4-year-old brand uses vegetable-based dyes to create their deep, lush colours and works with ethically-run factories to produce their accessories.
The goods are a treat for fans of minimalism, and the use of upcycled PU leather and organic cotton sweetens the deal that much more.
Why we love them: Home to one of the first-ever sustainable factories, everything that Reformation does is to ensure that they keep sustainability integrated into every piece of their collection. From using energy-efficient light bulbs in their workrooms to working with minority women, Reformation’s threads will appeal to the women who want a special party dress with a special backstory.
And judging by their ability to slash their emissions by more than 70% compared to industry standards, we think they deserve all the praise they’re getting.
Why we love them: Approaching their accessories with a four-pronged ethos, Melissa Joy Manning creates green jewellery for the everywoman. Each piece starts from responsibly-sourced materials or upcycles old raw materials that Manning finds from obscure places such as car factories and run-down zipper production plants.
The result? A line of wearable jewellery that celebrates the unique quality and flaws of its raw materials, making every piece truly special.
Why we love them: Sensible shoes need not be boring, as shown by Rafa. While most of the designs comprise of simple designs in a myriad of colours, the LA-based footwear label makes everything by hand using eco-friendly materials. Throw these on with a casual dress or a pant suit, either way, they’re still a fantastic addition to your shoe closet.
Why we love them: With a mission to showcase the pride and skills of Indian workmanship, every piece in Behno’s collection is produced in a Gujarat, India factory called MAS Ethos. They seek to empower women with skills that can help earn them a living beyond the factory, while ensuring that they are providing fair wages to their workers.
By using eco-conscious fabrics in their line of luxuriously tailored separates, the brand also hopes to inspire change in the conversation of fashion.
Why we love them: As gorgeous as they are, you’re only going to wear your wedding gown once. And with more brides looking to own a dress rather than to rent, the folks over at Minna are looking to help you choose a gorgeous white gown from their vintage-inspired designs without doing any harm to the environment.
They do this by finding vintage fabrics and dresses that might otherwise end up in a landfill, and turning it into a new dress that can be appreciated today. It’s stylish, eco-friendly and ethical – more feel-good points to add to your wedding!
Why we love them: Co-founded by Jane The Virgin actress Gina Rodriguez, Naja is more than just gorgeous lingerie. The brand primarily employs single mothers and female household earners and provides them with fair wages and a safe working environment. On top of that, it also uses sustainale digital-printing technology that helps to reduce water usage and wastewater production.