How is everyone coping with lockdown? I hope these tips helped a little. Today, I’m sharing a brief update about lockdown, why I think sustainable fashion is so important and my top 5 sustainable fashion brands.
One thing I’ve been thinking a lot about during lockdown is the environment. I feel like Mother Nature has sent us to our room to reflect on our behaviour! And if we don’t change our ways then we may be ‘grounded’ for a lot longer next time!
With ‘Earth Day’ last week, it seemed like the perfect time to think about how we can help the environment by making more considered choices in our clothes shopping.
What is sustainable fashion
Is it the type of material? Vegan? Fair-trade? Ethically produced? Environmentally friendly? Is it anything that isn’t fast-fashion? Well, sustainable fashion covers the sourcing, production and distribution of the garment. To help clarify what exactly it is, I asked Minan Wong, the designer and founder of MinanWong.com, and here is her answer. (You can see my full interview with Minan here).
“Sustainable fashion has many meanings and angles to different brands and consumers. I want to be transparent that while I want a fully sustainable collection, it is not always possible. Sustainability needs to be a holistic process from the grower to fabric spinners to dyers to cutters, and then to the garment sewers. If you use organic cotton, then you also need to look at the dyestuff used as well as water consumption regardless of whether the material is organic. While recycled fabrics are great to avoid stripping the earth’s natural resources, the recycling process is sometimes harsh. You also need to look at where the material is purchased and whether it will require air or boat shipping which will emit CO2 into the environment. For my brand, sustainability is a design for longevity & purpose with fabrics that will hold up for over 13 wears and which are manufactured locally. ”
So, when considering our wardrobe choices, we need to look at the lifespan of a piece of clothing from start to finish.
The Choice of Material: Organic material is better than “regular” material, as it doesn’t use pesticides or harmful chemicals that are bad for the environment and for our skin. Also we need to be aware that some manmade fabrics are damaging to the environment, as they’re often non-biodegradable.
The Production Process: What chemicals and dyes are used in the recycling/production process, and are they harmful to the environment and/or toxic to the workers? Also, what about the company’s ethical practices? Are the workers paid fairly and do they have good working conditions?
The Distribution Process: How is the garment distributed to the consumer? What kind of carbon footprint is the brand creating?
Why does it matter?
The main reason, of course, is that the textile industry is notorious for being one of the most polluting industries in the environment (second only to the oil industry). That being said, many high-street brands are waking up to this, and are launching ‘sustainable”/ ‘eco-conscious” initiatives.
For example, H&M have launched their ‘Conscious Collection’ label , Zara have recently launched a sustainable collection titled #JoinLife, Boohoo launched their ‘For The Future’ range , Mango have their ‘Committed Collection’, ASOS unveiled their ‘Responsible Edit’ and Net-a-Porter launched its ‘Net Sustain’ initiative, a section on the site showcasing more sustainable brands, last month.
5 Sustainable Fashion Brands that should be on your radar
Reformation
One of the first major sustainable fashion brands to hit the mainstream was Reformation. Their slogan is “Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. Reformation is #2.“
Reformation’s design mission is to make effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure, and they source the most beautiful and sustainable fabrics possible to bring those designs to life quickly.
They put sustainability at the core of their practices and they are dedicated to reducing waste, water and energy footprints. During the current pandemic, they’ve partnered with the City of Los Angeles (where the brand is based) to make masks for essential workers.
Minan Wong
Minan launched her brand four years ago when she identified a gap in the market. While all the brands were chasing the millennial customers, Gen X was left behind by the marketeers, and it was Gen X that inspired the ‘Minan Wong Collection’.
Each piece is created to support women in their everyday challenges by highlighting their strength and confidence, and she builds the collection around practically.
Minan wants women to feel supported and confident in her designs that show off the women herself, and not the clothing. Her collection is made up of elegant dresses, and separates that effortlessly transitions from day to night.
Boden
The British brand, Boden, was founded more than 25 years ago and is renowned for its sustainable clothing collection. The quote below is taken from their site.
“We take climate change extremely seriously and are constantly taking steps to reduce our environmental impact. We’re looking at everything we do to see if we can be using more sustainable materials, reducing waste and working more efficiently. This might mean anything from sending our tea bags to the compost heap and banning the use of disposable cutlery and coffee cups in our café to using regenerated fibres in our swimwear and sustainably sourced paper for our catalogues.”
During the Covid pandemic, they have partnered with Helpforce, a charity, which coordinate initiatives to help make the lives of NHS staff and patients better, and they’re donating clothes to those that need them, from nightwear for NHS workers who can’t return home at the end of their shift, to clothes for recovered patients to wear when they leave hospital.
Their stores are currently closed to protect their staff, but they are offering free delivery and returns from 27.04.20 to 02.05.20, with the code: 6T2C. Click here to find out more.
Maggie Marilyn
New Zealand label ‘Maggie Marilyn’ came to the forefront when Meghan Markle wore a customised version of the “Leap of Faith” blazer dress during her New Zealand tour in October 2018, and the brand has since gone from strength to strength.
Maggie Marilyn is committed to manufacturing locally, so the the majority of her products are produced near her studio in New Zealand.
“Making a difference means building a brand that champions transparency, empowers all people in the supply chain and ensures the health of our beautiful planet is at the forefront of every decision we make. In addition to this, I aim to re-educate people on the value of their clothing. Our clothes should make our heart sing. They should live with us through a lifetime of experiences and if they should find themselves no longer needed, they should find their way back into a circular industry that re-homes or repurposes. ”
Sézane
You already know that Sézane is one of my favourite brands (see “5 French brands you should know about“), and this French brand uses environmentally-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, linen, lyocell as well as certified materials.
Sézane opened its first bricks and mortar store, “L’Appartement” in Paris, open from Tuesday to Saturday, in 2015 and has subsequently opened stores in Notting Hill, London, New York and Aix-en Provence, and of course, you can still purchase online! (only online at the moment!)
“The journey towards sustainability is an ongoing one, but a goal to which Sézane is deeply committed. We have sought to scrutinize everything we do: working with environmental experts to obtain the most stringent certifications in every sector”
In 2017, “Demain” was born, a charity program to support equal opportunities for children all around the world, and the brand also has a charity shop in Paris (opened in 2018), where they resell pieces left over from shoots and test fittings
I hope you enjoyed this feature about 5 sustainable fashion brands and you can have a look here for more style inspiration.
Oohh I didnt even know that Reformation and Sezane were sustainable brands! Great post, thanks for sharing!
Life is a Shoe
Glad you enjoyed the post xo
Julia
This is such a lovely post on sustainable fashion and with the current lockdown vibes, I think we must take the message that earth is healing and confinement is good.
I try my best to wear cotton fabrics and although it has less shelf life, i know it’s not damaging the environment and can be recycled with no much harm on the planet.
Good post.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you liked the post!
Thanks for letting us know about these brands for sustainable fashion. It’s very important. I will definitely check out their pieces 🙂
Stella
Thank you Stella! I agree it’s very important to be aware of our choices xo
I knew of Reformation and Sezane, but thank you for introducing some new ones to me! The Maggie Marilyn designs look lovely!
Yes, they do, don’t they? I love all these brands 🙂
I love the dress by Sezane on you. The cardigan is also lovely. You look pretty in both.
I loved learning more about sustainable fashion through your article. I remember watching a Youtube interview hosted by Zoe Hong, she is a fashion illustrator and has a fashion degree, she is very knowledgeable. It surprised me to learn, for example, that organic cotton needs tons of water and isn’t that ecological since it wastes so much water.
Thank you for telling us about Zoe Hong – I will check out her Youtube. Sustainable fashion is surprisingly complex as you have to take the whole production and distribution process into account !
I did not know about these brands, thank you for writing this post x
Andrea.
http://www.andreaferencz.wixsite.com/home
Glad you found it helpful, Andrea
This was so interesting! Will have to check out your full interview with Minan 🙂 Also I love Reformation!
Lily
Yes, and Reformation currently have a 25% off sale! xo
Vero,ottimo post =)!
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations, Julia! I must admit, I feel exactly the same way about Mother Nature – it definitely feels like a worldwide warning! I am loving the brands you’ve listed here. I have a few Boden pieces already, they are great! I’ll check out the other brands too. Thanks again – I hope you’re well.
Thanks so much Katerina! I hope you like the other brands too xo
I definitely want to give sustainable fashion a try in the future.
Will check out these brands!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thanks Radi! Let me know how you get on xo
I’ve heard so many good things about Reformation! Congratulations on becoming a Life Coach! That’s such an exciting, wonderful achievement! So happy for you. 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
Thanks so much Ashley!
Even taking small steps to being a more sustainable consumer makes a huge difference! Thanks for sharing your brand recommendations, I’ll definitely check these out! I hope you’re doing well! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
I totally agree Melissa! Even small baby steps make a difference ! xo
I am really crushing on Boden, their clothes seem to be so easy to wear and I love the colors. Thanks for sharing,
Stay safe !
Sonia
http://www.soniaaicha.com
Yes, Boden have some really great picks and I love their sustainable swimwear range x
Congrats on becoming a life coach! Love learning about these sustainable fashion brands. I used to buy Boden for my daughter when she was younger. I didn’t realize they were still around!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you Jill! Yes, Boden is still around – I think you can find it at Nordstrom in the US xo
Congrats on qualifying, babe! That’s awesome news! And I’m definitely here for sustainable brands- great list!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you Ashley! xo
thanks for sharing these gorgeous pieces
The Glossychic
Glad you like them Wendee x
Nice clothes ♥
https://loveonthebrainbykinga.wordpress.com/
Thank you x
These are some amazing picks dear… thanks for sharing 🙂
http://www.beautyandfashionfreaks.com
Glad you like them Rashmi x
Loving all these sustainable brands hun, that pink dress is beautiful!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I agree Lovely! It’s one of my favourites too xo
oh i love sezane
thank you for sharing these brands!
xoxo
style frontier
Glad you liked the post! I love Sezane too xo
I love all of these! Will definitely be checking out some of these brands!
Tay
Thanks Tay! Glad you liked the post x
This is a great time to take sustainability into account Julia. I need to do better research before I buy.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! I’m definitely trying to buy more sustainable, although I know I will occasionally be tempted by things that are fast fashion too!
I love Reformation and Sézane! Beautiful post, I’m in sustainable fashion too! 😉
Sezane and Reformation are two of my favourite brands and I think sustainable fashion is the way of the future! 🙂
Thanks for sharing those brands. I am trying to be more aware. And congrats on your new qualification. xx
Thank you so much Hilda! I’m definitely at least trying to be more aware 🙂
nice post <3
Thank you x
How cool! I love this post about some sustainable fashion brands to look out for. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you liked the post x
Oh wow congrats on this! Very cool. And yes this outbreak should be a wake up call to be sure. But sadly I feel like when this is all said and done it will be business as usual. Not to mention another major disruptor: AI wiping out %40 of all jobs across the globe in a decade. And people think that %20-%25 unemployment is high. Between the environment and wide spread permanent job losses this time period is going to pale in comparison.
And thank you for the heads up on the brands some of them I knew about and others not. I can not afford to shop them at this time but when I was working I would but second and do rentals.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thank you! I think there will be a new ‘normal’ and there are definitely tough times ahead. And, yes, rental is also a great idea! Thanks for the tip! xoxo
Love love love Reformation and Sezane!
I am a big fan too Rach x
Congratulations! It is wonderful that you are now a Life Coach!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
Thank you so much Rena x
Oh There are some brands I didn’t know about.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
xx
Margot
You’re welcome ! I hope you try some of the brands 🙂
Congrats on you becoming a life coach! I am starting to embrace eco fashion so much more now. Been wanting to try Sezane for a while now. Thanks for sharing all of these brands! I have been struggling a lot too but trying to focus on all the good that is happening through it all. Stay safe Julia!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you Kathrine! I definitely think sustainable fashion is the way for the future 🙂