Demand for sustainable fashion has continued to grow in recent years, as we all become increasingly concerned about the industry’s vast environmental impact. While there is still much work to be done, a growing number of brands are adopting more eco-friendly practices—whether that’s using responsibly-sourced and upcycled materials or promoting circular business models— such as resale or rental.
Below, see 11 of the best sustainable fashion brands the Vogue editors are championing right now.
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Oyuna
Sarah Harris, deputy editor and European fashion features director:
“I’m yet to find a plusher cashmere sweater—or for that matter, a blanket—than by Oyuna. It has partnered with the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, a UK-based non-profit working to save the cashmere industry in Mongolia (where half the herders are women) through responsible sourcing. Even more sustainable, its small shop on Golborne Road is a stone’s throw from my house, so every visit I make equals a zero carbon footprint.”
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Completedworks
Laura Ingham, deputy director, Global Fashion Network:
“I discovered Completedworks a few years ago whilst looking for the perfect pair of sculptural earrings. Founded by Oxbridge graduate Anna Jewsbury, and based in a studio in central London, Anna and her team work with recycled and Fair Trade gold to create modern designs with characteristic folds, loops and twists. She also works with ceramics and the most beautiful reclaimed marble, making her designs instantly recognisable.”
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Completedworks gold-plated hoop earrings, $295
Available at Completedworks.
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Completedworks recycled gold-vermeil hoop earrings, $385
Available at Matchesfashion.
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Conner Ives
Naomi Smart, commerce director:
“I’ve followed Conner Ives’s work since he was at Central Saint Martins doing his BA. His approach to upcycling deadstock and vintage fabrics felt so fresh and desirable—which has been so hard to find until relatively recently. He has the best eye for carefully selecting vintage T-shirts and scarves and patchworking them into dresses. I live in his cycling vest midi-dresses all year round and always get asked where they are from.”
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Conner Ives fringe-trimmed cotton T-shirt dress, $485
Available at Harvey Nichols.
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Conner Ives organic denim maxi skirt, $386
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Riley Studio
Kerry McDermott, digital director:
“Riley Studio majors in timeless wardrobe essentials—think a great crew-neck sweater, or a simple long-line linen shirt—that are made using organic or waste materials instead of virgin fibres, so you can feel doubly good about adding one of the brand’s made-to-last basics to your basket. I’m investing in the recycled cashmere polo top for spring.”
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Riley Studio organic cotton-twill jacket, $89
Available at the Outnet.
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Gabriela Hearst
Kate Phelan, contributing fashion director:
“My favourite sustainable brand would have to be Gabriela Hearst, as she has made sustainable fashion ‘normal’, in the sense that she has never done it any other way, so there’s no need for her to keep pushing the message. Her brand of luxury is simply synonymous with sustainability.”
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Gabriela Hearst cashmere and silk-blend maxi dress
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Gabriela Hearst pleated tie-dyed cashmere midi skirt, $1,890
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Pomellato
Rachel Garrahan, jewellery and watch director:
“If you’re a brand that’s serious about committing to sustainability, you’re faced with a challenging and complex journey. There’s no resting on one’s laurels once you’ve achieved a sustainable goal, whether that be in sourcing materials, supporting communities or being kinder to the environment. You must constantly check and re-check the claims of your suppliers and partners, and you must be on the lookout for ever more sustainable options.
“Pomellato is committed to Kering’s pledge of using ethically-sourced gold and while it’s not yet possible to use gold from Fairmined-certified mines only, it does so in limited collections such as the Nuvola range of deliciously sculptural rings.”
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Pomellato Nuvola 18-karat rose gold diamond Ring, $10,400
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Pomellato Nuvola 18-karat rose gold diamond necklace, $4,950
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Chopova Lowena
Jessica Gerardi, shopping editor:
“I love Chopova Lowena’s approach to sustainable design. The brand seamlessly blends traditional textiles, crafts and techniques to create something that feels fresh, modern and wearable. Its staple mini kilt and graphic tees should be at the top of every cool girl’s shopping list.”
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Chopova Lowena Efi organic-cotton poplin minidress, $675
Available at Matchesfashion.
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Chopova Lowena Nerine Tartan Wool-Taffeta Midi Skirt
Available at Matchesfashion.
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Cawley Studio
Laura Hawkins, fashion features editor:
“A simple but oft overlooked way to reduce clothing and fabric waste is to create garments only once they have been physically purchased, instead of manufacturing en masse for an imaginary customer. The 2017-founded brand Cawley Studio operates a made-to-order service on its own site, meaning that once you order one of the brand’s timeless pieces – be it an Irish gingham dress with smocked straps or a slouchy British dry oilskin mac – it is handmade in the brand’s Lewisham studio and delivered within five weeks. For me, this slow fashion approach only increases the anticipation ahead of your ordered design arriving in the post. You’ll be counting down the days once you select your chosen piece.”
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Cawley Studio Elba striped linen dress, $420
Available at Matchesfashion.
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Cawley Studio Rosa striped wool cardigan, $320
Available at Matchesfashion.
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Mother Of Pearl
Ellie Pithers, contributing editor:
“Amy Powney at Mother of Pearl has long been my go-to designer for sustainability queries. Having taken her brand right back to source in 2018, when she conducted a full-scale audit of her supply chain and visited Uruguay and Peru, she is always thinking big picture—she even founded a social media campaign, #FashionOurFuture, with the aim of making sustainability less about naming and shaming. As she previously told me: ‘My approach is to inspire and change our habits. The way I see it, if we all do a little to change, then the group effort makes a much bigger positive impact.'”
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Mother Of Pearl open-back midi dress, $295
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Mother Of Pearl asymmetric midi skirt, $295
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Alighieri
Emily Chan, sustainability editor:
“As a sustainability editor, picking just one eco-minded brand as a favourite is a near impossible task. But my go-to for jewellery has long been Alighieri, the cult label founded by Rosh Mahtani back in 2014. Hand-crafted using recycled brass, all her pieces are made within walking distance of her Hatton Garden studio and designed to be heirlooms that are passed down for generations to come.”
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Alighieri The Sun Salutations medallion gold-plated necklace, $210
Available at Matchesfashion.
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Rave Review
Joy Montgomery, senior commerce writer:
“I have always been fascinated by brands that specialise in upcycling—an alchemical process that sees pre-loved and deadstock fabrics given a new lease of life—and even more so when the designs created feel definitively modern and cutting-edge. This is certainly the case for Rave Review, the Stockholm-based brand that creates colourful dresses, jackets and separates made out of everything from blankets and scarves to bedsheets. My personal favourite has always been the brand’s mash-up tartan creations that are equal parts punk and pretty.”
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Rave Review multicolour check bag, $695
Available at SSENSE.
This article was originally published on British Vogue.
