Curb Your Fast Fashion Habit With These Sustainable Brands
Photo via Amanu
A version of this story first appeared on Forbes.com
Sustainable fashion is on my mind lately, and we’re sure we aren’t alone. This year has raised a lot of questions about how we consume fashion and has encouraged many to adopt more sustainable shopping practices instead of aimlessly purchasing fast fashion pieces that lack quality and longevity.
If you are looking for a place to start, here are a few brands to keep on your radar that have made sustainable practices key focuses of their brands.
Amanu
Amanu was founded by celebrity stylist Anita Patrickson as a way to bring a personal, one-on-one connection back to the process of designing and purchasing shoes. With cobblers onsite to create custom sandals in just a few minutes, customers are able to receive top quality shoes that are created sustainably and with no waste. Patrickson explains that “one of the reasons I started Amanu was the zero waste aspect. We have no finished inventory, so we have zero waste, everything is made to order. We use hides that are going into landfills, all our leathers are vegetable dyed. By making the sandals by hand we cut out emissions and help our customers to consume consciously.”
Amanu has introduced online customization options to further their reach and adapt during the coronavirus pandemic, but the online experience is equally sustainable, and Patrickson hopes that by creating high quality custom shoes, customers will wear their pieces for longer, challenging the fast fashion practices of so many consumers. “As an industry it's imperative we change our practices,” Patrickson says. “Fashion is the second dirtiest industry after oil and to make the changes necessary to change our planet we have to alter the way we consume. Fast fashion has no place in this current climate. It's excessive and irresponsible. We need to cut down on waste and emissions. We need to wear our pieces more and there needs to be accountability from brands and factories on the chemicals and toxins being released as well as excess inventory that is finding its way by the second into landfills.”
Shop Amanu
These snakeskin sandals are perfectly chic, and I love the asymmetric ankle loop as a unique style.
You can’t go wrong with a classic black and gold color combination.
Want to design your own custom pair? Customize a pair here.
Maggie Marilyn
The New Zealand-based Maggie Marilyn recognizes that the fashion industry has a lot of work to do when it comes to becoming more environmentally friendly and ethical, and the brand is doing what they can to help. Creating a transparent supply chain that employs local manufacturers in New Zealand is of the upmost importance, and the brand is hoping to invest in an apprenticeship program in order to foster the next generation of local craftsmen and women. Each supplier must comply with their Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes standards regarding animal welfare, chemical and water use, greenhouse gas emissions, fair wages, and working conditions.
By setting high standards for the brand and their suppliers, Maggie Marilyn is hoping to encourage other brands to follow suit and emphasize sustainable practices in their manufacturing.
Shop Maggie Marilyn
This cream blazer is just oversized enough to achieve that relaxed yet sophisticated look.
Maggie Marilyn She's Got Her Groove Back Dress in Strawberries & Cream
This retro halter dress is great for warm summer evenings.
Cuyana
Cuyana co-founders Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah launched Cuyana with the goal of making “fewer, better” pieces the norm in fashion. "Sustainability is a core, ever-evolving focus for our brand,” Gallardo explains. “Through our Fewer, Better philosophy, we encourage consumers to invest in high-quality pieces that will last them years - ultimately keeping products inside of their closets and out of landfills.”
With a strong collection of core wardrobe pieces that are timelessly stylish, the goal is to provide clothes and accessories that will stand the test of time and encourage women to make more out of fewer items in their wardrobes.
In addition, Cuyana uses natural materials and sustainable practices to craft their timeless pieces. “Each of our products are crafted in small batches by skilled artisans around the globe, ensuring outstanding quality that will withstand the test of time. Presently, 80% of our assortment is made from 100% natural materials, and 95% of our fabric and leather productions involve environmental certifications. We recently launched a collection of Recycled Cashmere, which was a really exciting moment for us! As we continue to drive this mission forward, we have pledged to introduce more natural materials and sustainable product offerings with each collection that we launch and have a goal to be fully sustainable by 2022. We look forward to continuing this progress and having our community alongside us on this journey."
Shop Cuyana
This travel set makes packing a breeze. I’m partial to this jade hue, but it’s available in 16 different colors.
You’ll be wearing this elegant cape for years to come.
SAM & LANCE
Wondering where to shop for sustainable fashion pieces as well as lifestyle items? Sisters Veronica and Alora May founded SAM & LANCE as a way to make it easy to showcase goods that are not only sustainable but also made by or owned by women. The sisters “believe that being a conscious shopper should be easy and accessible to everyone. We understand the struggle of trying to find information about brands while shopping."
Six core values drive their mission: sustainable, fair trade, eco-friendly, woman made, zero waste, and purpose driven. Customers are able to shop products according to these values. "We work with the vendor to ensure they meet all of our criteria for ethical products before featuring them on the site and personally verify the quality from each brand to ensure we carry only the best items and brands. Each brand and item is specially curated to what we believe is both functional and beautiful."
Shop SAM & LANCE
This linked gold necklace is a lovely piece to add to your jewelry collection. The brand, Kind Karma, provides at-risk and transitioning homeless youth with flexible employment so they can earn wages as well as seek out educational and professional opportunities.
SAM & LANCE’s newest offering is a subscription box that features 5 to 7 different skincare, fashion, and lifestyle products, all of which are sustainable and from woman owned businesses, with 50% of featured brands from BIPOC women.