As we are all becoming aware of the importance of taking care of the environment, eco-friendly fashion is becoming more and more prevalent. From sustainable fibers and reused materials to ethical production cycles, there are numerous ethical and sustainable fashion labels emerging around the world. In this article we will shine a light on some of the most influential eco-friendly fashion brands, offering a glimpse into how they are changing the style and production of today’s fashion industry.
1. A Shining Light on Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands
Eco-Friendly fashion brands are a bright light in an industry that can often be wasteful and exploitative. Fortunately, more and more designers, small businesses, and large corporations are creating sustainable clothing to reduce their environmental impact.
By producing products that focus on conservation of natural resources like water, air, and land, these fashion brands are reducing their environmental footprint and helping to shift the fashion industry as a whole. Many also use resources like organic cotton and biodegradable materials, ensuring that each garment is ethically produced.
Whether you are looking for clothes, shoes, or accessories, here are some excellent eco-friendly brands to consider:
- Everlane incentivizes sustainable materials and works with ethical factories to create transparent and fair supplies.
- Patagonia creates jacket and other clothes made from organic cotton and recycled fibres.
- Pangaia creates garments from recycled plastic bottles and seaweed.
- Veja produces sustainable sneakers made of materials like natural rubber and organic cotton.
We can all make a positive difference to the environment by following a few simple steps. Shopping with eco-friendly fashion brands is one of those steps – you can look and feel amazing while doing your bit for Mother Nature. Who wouldn’t want that?
2. Invest in Sustainable Labels – Ethically and Environmentally
Shop Ethically and Environmentally
In this digital age, it’s been made easier than ever to make informed choices when shopping. Investing in sustainable labels helps make a positive contribution to the planet and its inhabitants. Not only can you search for sustainable options online, but you can also opt for second-hand items for up-cycling and repurposing.
- Choose sustainable fashion that is designed for longevity, for example: made from natural, biodegradable materials.
- Avoid buying items that contain synthetic fabrics that are not biodegradable.
- Seek out sustainable fashion brands who use organic cotton and linen, recycled materials or bio-based fibers.
- Support companies that practice fair labor practices and have ethical supply chains.
- Source items from second-hand stores to reduce the strain on landfills and the environment.
Research the materials used in the products you invest in. Do the company you’re buying from practice sustainable production and ethical employment? Can their packaging be recyclesd? These questions can help ensure you are a responsible consumer when it comes to the garment industry. Avoid styles that are produced with unsustainable materials and methods, if these clothes were designed to be purchased only once and then thrown away, they are not sustainable.
3. Walking the Talk – Setting an Example for the Fashion Industry
Within the fashion industry—as with any other—the best way to stay honest and true to core company values is to walk the talk. An established fashion label should never promise employees or customers what it can’t deliver, which is why part of setting an example for the industry involves the following:
- Actively conveying the company’s dedication and commitment to sustainability through all its activities
- Engaging in continual transparency to ensure the creation of trust between the label and its customers
- Always assessing current processes to guarantee they continue to support company values
Rather than competing against the competition as fiercely as possible, companies should focus on something more comparable to progressivism. This means less about controlling segment markets and more about creating positive values that can be adopted by the entire fashion industry. Through working with other companies, setting standards and establishing a competitive, ethical level playing field will enable the industry to promote continuous growth—in both the environment and its reputation.
Leading by example is key once this competitive environment is established. By establishing a system of respect and setting standards of conduct for others to follow, fashion companies will become an exemplary power in the industry. Whether through raising awareness regarding ethical standards, or creating campaigns to encourage change, companies like Ted Baker, ASOS, and Nike are currently setting an example for the fashion industry.
4. Innovative Redesign to Create Zero-Waste Clothing
As more countries make the move towards zero- waste initiatives, the fashion industry begins to recognize the growing demand for eco-friendly clothing alternatives. By utilizing innovative designs to reduce materials and waste, apparel businesses have found a way to create stylish, zero-waste garments. Here are some of the ways companies are creating zero-waste apparel:
- Upcycling – Upcycling is when worn or used clothing is given a new purpose by restyling, altering, and decorating. Companies are finding ways to give well-loved pieces of clothing a second life rather than discarding them.
- 3D Printing – Fabric is printed in a continuous cycle with 3D printers- where each strand of filament creates one continuous loop of thread. This loop of thread is then sewed together to turn into a variety of different clothing pieces. The innovative zero-waste design prevents any production waste or fabric scraps.
- Zero-Waste Patterns – By creating unique clothing patterns that require minimal fabric to create, companies can avoid cutting up larger swatches of fabric and reduce the danger of wasting any extra material.
These cutting-edge trends are changing the game for apparel businesses when it comes to waste management. By taking these steps to provide sustainable, innovative designs for customers, businesses are playing their part in aiding to eliminate unnecessary waste.
In the future, zero-waste clothing will become more widely accepted and accessible to customers, while hopefully motivating other businesses to move towards more sustainable practices.
5. Cultivating Eco-Friendly Brand Loyalty with an Enduring Impact
Today’s consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable brands that make a positive impact on their environment. Going eco-friendly is not just about doing what’s fashionable right now, but ensuring that your organization’s efforts to better the environment will have a long lasting influence. Here’s how brands can create lasting loyalty for their services through eco-friendly initiatives:
- Create a concise, concrete sustainability plan: Make sure your eco-friendly actions are well-defined and have the potential to inspire your target audience. Clearly outline your objectives and how your plan will work towards achieving them.
- Make eco-friendly practices commonplace in your operations: Incorporating environmental practices is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint and create a sustainable operational strategy. Implement these strategies on an ongoing basis to highlight your commitment to staying green.
- Provide support and encourage eco-friendly consumption: Make sure to inform your customers about the eco-friendly initiativesyou are taking and the ways they are contributing to the cause. Offer incentives and rewards to encourage eco-friendly consumption.
- Reward customers for their eco-friendly behaviors: Encourage your customers to make more conscious choices by incentivizing them for their eco-friendly behaviors. This can be in the form of discounts, special offers, or even points which can be redeemed for further purchases.
By working hard to cultivate sustainable brand loyalties, businesses can nurture a valuable relationship with their customers while simultaneously doing their part to make the world a better place. Carry out meaningful responsibility that leads to an enduring impact and show your customers that your organization stands committed to preserving the environment.
As the world looks for ways to be more sustainable, eco-friendly fashion brands are paving the way towards a viable future for us all, setting industry standards of affordable luxury that can be worn with confidence — and a clean conscience. From protecting the planet to supporting local artisans through safe working conditions and fair wages, there has never been a better time to support ethical and sustainable labels.
