Reduce your impact by supporting sustainable brands
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important. More and more people are trying to reduce their impact on the planet. As a result, a growing number of ethical and sustainable fashion brands are arising to meet the demand and help change the fashion industry. But what makes an ethical brand? And which clothing brands are ethical?
What makes an ethical brand?
An ethical brand leaves behind a legacy of values, strategies, and actions perceived as morally right and ethical. An ethical brand doesn't harm people, animals or the environment, and it contributes to society responsibly, positively, and sustainably.
An ethical brand ensures its workers are treated fairly across the supply chain. This includes policies and practices on child labour, forced labour, worker safety, the right to join a union, and payment of a living wage.
An ethical brand is also conscious about its use of energy and resources, reducing its carbon emissions, its impact on our waterways, and using and disposing of chemicals safely. Moreover, an ethical brand will use sustainable packaging materials (e.g., recyclable or biodegradable packaging) and ensure that they can sustainably dispose of materials used in the production of its products at the end of their lifecycle.
Finally, an ethical brand uses no or very few animal products, like wool, leather, fur, angora, down feathers, shearling, karakul, and exotic animal skin and hair. Ideally, the brand is 100% vegan.
Being aware of what makes a brand ethical can help you to determine whether a brand is ethical or not.
Which brands are championing sustainability?
Were all aware of the detrimental effects of the fashion industry. Although many brands do not prioritise sustainability, there are now increasing numbers of brands adapting their businesses to create change and acknowledge sustainability issues.
Every year, thousands of tonnes of clothes are thrown away with household waste, and as much as 95% of those clothes could be recycled. Buying new materials doesn't make business sense when a brand could reuse what they have already.
What are our favourite sustainable brands right now?
1. BEEN London
BEEN London is a London-based brand turning waste into timeless accessories youd want to use every day. All their products are made of materials that have been something else in a previous life, including recycled leather offcuts and plastic bottles.
We love their versatile Cecilia
