The endless spate of swelteringly hot sunny days we’ve been experiencing of late reminded me that the issue of climate change is more pressing than ever. I admit that I’m an addict of fast fashion, however, it is good to be aware of its consequences:
Did you know, according to Forbes.com, “the apparel industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and remains the second largest industrial polluter, second only to oil”? Locally, Singapore generated 156 700 000 KILOGRAMS of textile and leather waste in 2015 alone. According to a National Environment Agency (NEA) report, only 8% were recycled.
We can do our part in reducing fashion waste by shopping from eco-friendly brands. I recently chanced upon mobile app Good on You, it’s an ethical shopping app that allows you check which brands are doing better in terms of how they treat people, the environment, and animals. The app also suggests similar brands with great ratings for you to discover new ethical brands. It even comes with a “Your Voice” page so you can give brands direct feedback! Unfortunately, as this is a US-based app, the information on local brands is limited. However, they do have information on most international fashion chains such as Topshop or Zara, so check it out!
I’ve also discovered a few brands online that pair great ethics with even better style, read on to find out more:
Born out of the desire to break the chain of ‘disposable’ fashion, Singapore-based Esse focuses on quality classics made out of sustainable fabrics such as bamboo, tencel and organic cotton. I love how they’ve created a truly timeless collection by pairing clean silhouettes with muted colours.
A home-grown Singaporean brand with all products designed, developed and ethically made in Singapore, Kalaia Label interprets bohemianism with a modern twist. Offering both clothes and jewellery, their wares exude dreamy sophistication that will transport you to another world.
Amour Vert asserts that “A women should never have to sacrifice style for sustainability”. The American label is definitely living up to their claims, managing to balance a zero-waste philosophy with breezily elegant pieces designed to flatter. Not only are their clothes extremely comfortable, with every purchased tee they will plant a tree in North America! They also have a 4 out of 5 stars rating on the Good on You app!
American-based label SiiZU aims to design and deliver beautiful, high-quality apparel made with sustainable manufacturing practices at an affordable price point. Their clothes are 100% organic and they intentionally keep fabric manufacturers and garment factories close to each other to minimise the carbon footprint of shipping materials! Most importantly though, their clothes are the kind of effortless chic that we all yearn so hard to attain.
Loads of us love shopping on ASOS, but did you know that ASOS has an Eco Edit category dedicated to sustainable fashion, beauty, and jewellery goods? I especially love that it’s been carefully curated to bring you sustainable options at the same great low prices, while allowing you to get all your shopping done in one place!
WMM was founded by a collective of female designers with a passion for artisanal craftsmanship and a commitment to the industry’s best practices. Artisanal partnerships are a cherished pillar of the brand, and it really shows in their one-of-a-kind creations!
Reformation is dedicated to creating pieces with effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure. They make their clothes in their own factory from sustainable materials, rescued deadstock fabrics and even repurposed vintage clothing. I absolutely adore their vintage section, which feels like a blast from a very, very stylish past.
We all know H&M as an international brand dedicated to sustainability through their yearly H&M Conscious Exclusive Collections. Made using only recycled or organic materials, the 7th collection launching 19th April 2018 introduces two new materials, recycled silver and ECONYL, to create bold and intricate designs that will please any fashionista while keeping their clothes as affordable as ever. Christy Turlington Burns fronts this year’s campaign, and it will be available in H&M Orchard Building and online at hm.com. To keep up to date with news and updates on this collection, you can follow the hashtags #HMConsciousExclusive and #HMSingapore.
Now that you’re armed with gorgeous new brands to lust over and a shiny new app to help you check out even more, there’s nothing stopping you from shopping eco-friendly!
Go forth and go green in style,
Daphnie
