4 Fashion Brands Leading the Way in Sustainability
As consumers become increasingly aware of their shopping habits and the substantial environmental impact of the fast fashion industry, there has been heightened demand for more sustainable fashion options.
For retailers to become more sustainable and meet these new consumer demands,, requires drastic changes within their supply chains and business models. Several brands have already taken the first steps in implementing sustainable practices and putting sustainability at the heart of their business model. Taking responsibility for their impact both environmentally and socially, here are a few brands that are leading the way..
Reformation
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Founded as a vintage store in LA in 2009, the business took off rapidly and has grown into a popular shopping destination for customers globally. Known for their feminine silhouettes and romantic style dresses, the brand offers a sustainable option to shop for good quality garments that have less environmental impact.
Their business model revolves around ensuring that each garment and design is made in the most sustainable way, whether that is through the material, where the garment is made, the packaging and guaranteeing that the factory workers are paid fairly and are respected appropriately.
FRAME
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High-end American retail company, Frame, is best known for their denim jeans and trendy ready-to-wear collections. Despite only recently introducing sustainability into the brand, the company has taken on several sustainable strategies and practices. Frames main focus on sustainability is ensuring that their supply chain 'reflects [their] respect for human rights' and follows the Califronia Transparency in Supply Chains Act which was put in place in 2012. This law means that 'manufacturers and retailers are required to disclose their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking within their supply chain' and as the company advertises, they take this law 'very seriously' and have a zero-tolerance policy.
Faithfull The brand
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Bali-based fashion label, Faithfull The Brand are a rapidly growing fashion retailer known for their vintage inspired textiles and stylish garments. With sustainability at the forefront of the brand, they are committed to producing ethical and socially responsible garments. The brand takes accountability for their actions throughout their supply chain, from their manufacturing choices through to their social responsibility and community investment. Additionally, the brand is also a certified B Corporation; meaning they meet exceptional standards through their supply chain and transparency of environmental and social performance.
Olivia Rose The Label
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Founded in 2017 by Olivia Rose Havelock, Olivia Rose the Label, is known for its delicate and romantic inspired style and feminine dresses which compliment the female figure. The brands signature style is made up of square necklines, puffed sleeves, elegant silhouettes and floral fabrics. Disregarding fashion trends and instead having a timeless style is both beneficial for the brands environmental and financial costs. Having a stable collection of good quality and classic pieces massively reduces the brands environmental costs, unlike fast fashion brands who are constantly producing new styles and garments at such a high pace that it results in a lot of clothes ending up in landfill.
Each garment is handmade by Olivia herself in her studio in Edinburgh, this helps to minimise the brands carbon footprint and eradicates any social responsibility as there are no third party suppliers. As each garment is made to order, this reduces any material waste and means no garments end up in landfill as a consequence of not being sold.
Each of these brands exhibit their own unique way in which they are trying to tackle the immense impact environmental and social issues that comes with being with a fashion brand.
