13 Sustainable Designers And Luxury Fashion Brands You Need To Know
Fashion trends have taken a turn for the better and are now aligning with sustainability. Designers and sustainable fashion brands from all corners of the globe have united to create beautiful pieces that demonstrate their loyalty to protecting our planet, while fashion-centric organisations such as Redress are developing the processes to embed circular thinking across the sector.
Featuring some remarkable textile designers and fashion brands who spearhead eco-friendliness and the sustainable fashion movement, setting an inspiring example for us all. From haute couture labels to streetwear brands, here is our listing of must-know sustainable designer names you need in your wardrobe.
How Can Fashion Brands Be More Sustainable?
With the production of fashion being responsible for upwards of 10 percent of total global carbon emissions, the fashion industry has a lot of work ahead of itself. Transitioning can be challenging, but companies can make the switch to sustainable fashion if they are willing to practice sustainability.
There are many existing brands that are sustainable clothing brands, and one common thread we see is the following.
Ethical Manufacturing
To begin, ethical manufacturing would be a good policy to adopt for any sustainable fashion brand. At its core is an holistic approach that ensures good health for everyone involved. Specifically, it means the design, creation and use of clothing is tied to sustainable standards.
In the end, a company using ethical manufacturing is telling customers their product is making the most positive impact it can for communities and the world.
Diving into specific qualities of this means the company is being ethical about everything.
They're not sacrificing employee safety or well being to "maximize profit". Instead, the fashion industry would aim to provide reasonable working hours and minimum wage standards for employees.
Beyond that, they're also ensuring that renewable energy is being used as much as possible. It's ideal for all energy used is from renewable sources, but as we all know, transitioning to fully renewable energy can be a long process.
If not that, then they would be considering something like zero-waste manufacturing. It's a practice that tries to use every material and resource given to it to the fullest extent it can.
Lastly the production practices should involve reducing waste whereever possible. With 92 million tons of textile waste created annually from the fashion industry, working to reduce that is a top priority. This means prioritizing organic materials for clothing and looking for other durable materials. Examples include using organic cotton, recycled polyester, and hemp as sustainable materials.
Use Recycled/Biodegradable Materials For Packaging
On the note of materials, another step to fashion companies being sustainable clothing brands would be to improving packaging material in addition to clothing material.
A lot of packaging these days is wasted and for online stores like Shein, they can do a better job with their packaging. This begins by making the cardboard and packaging material recyclable or better yet biodegradable.
With cities ditching recycling programs due to costs, lack of community involvement, and overall people not understanding how to properly recycle, biodegradable materials are the next best thing.
With the goal of mitigating landfill pollution, biodegradble packaging is a solid step to consider when reducing waste.
Recycled Clothing Returns
On the note of recycled materials, prolonging the life of clothes themselves is also a good way to mitigate waste. One way to be doing that is taking up recycling clothing programs and investing in them to make them work.
A truly sustainable brand will always have in place something like this where customers are able to return their clothing for a small perk. This is more ideal than some of the other options that other clothing brands have discussed - like creating a marketplace for people to re-sell their old clothes.
At the end of the day, this is about reducing ones' environmental footprint and that means setting up ethical supply chains and more sustainable practices through internal programs that reduce waste.
Support Sustainablity Initiatives
From climate neutral sourcing projects to fair labor practices, initiatives all over the world are being started up in order to make the world better. As such, one way for the fashion industry to step up their care for being more ethical brands is to support environmental initiatives both in their company and abroad.
Supporting companies that use natural materials and natural fibers can be a change in the industry for the better. Making them appealing to use in manufacturing practices is always a good thing.
Beyond that environmental initiatives like solar panel and wind turbine installations is a good all around project to support as reducing carbon emissions is a top priority. Perhaps most notably, that fashion industry could pledge support to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). The SAC has created a system using a multi-stakeholder approach to measure resource use flows, allowing companies to then outline strategies for performance improvement.
Teach Customers How To Be Eco Friendly
A company can do a lot, but one must remember that their customer base can also be an influential force. A strong business model can make a bigger difference when the customers love the company just as much as the workers.
When employees are treated properly with fair wages and fair labor practices, they will dedictate their time to making high quality products. But when a company talks about the tools they use, involve customers in the process, and gives them clear steps, things begin to improve more.
When a brand works with their customers and enables them through programs, eductation, and planet friendly materials, brands can deepen their relationship with their customer base.
Beyond that, providing environmental education can encourage people to follow other eco friendly practices beyond buying from sustainable clothing brands and updating their sustainable wardrobe.
Complete Transparency
Lastly is being more transparent about their business practices. When a company is open about their practices for recycled cotton or showing off their fair labor standards, showing people the inside only builds more trust.
This part is more crucial as sustainability is becoming more popular and people are more aware of clothing manufacturers practices. Providing full transparency to customers is one way to build up trust. It also can provide clarity on where companies can improve as customers can provide feedback or ideas on how to improve sustainable sourcing, production practices, and overall reduce the environmental footprint that clothing brands leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Sustainable Designers Do?
These kinds of designers or creative directors are fashion designers who focus on creating clothing and accessories in an environmentally and socially responsible way. They source and only use materials that have minimal impact on the environment. A good sign of these designers and brands is the use of organic cotton and linen, for example. That or the material they use is responsibly sourced.
But they also employ eco friendly methods. Low-impact dyes, renewable energy in their factories, and circular programmes where customers can return their old clothes for recycling or resale are a few things these companies do.
Additionally, sustainable designers often promote fair labour practices and support local communities. They work to minimise their carbon footprint and reduce the environmental impact of their production and business practices. Overall, these designers aim to create fashion that is stylish, high-quality, and has a positive impact on the environment and society.
How Do You Become A Sustainable Designer?
Becoming a sustainable designer typically involves obtaining a degree in design or a related field, such as architecture or engineering, and gaining experience in these design practices. Many universities offer programmes or courses specifically focused on sustainable design, and internships or apprenticeships with sustainable design firms can also provide valuable experience.
It can also be helpful to become familiar with relevant regulations, codes, and guidelines related to sustainable design and stay current with industry trends and advancements in sustainable technologies. Additionally, professional certifications or membership in organisations related to sustainablity design can demonstrate knowledge and commitment to those design principles.
What Is The Most Sustainable Fashion Brand In The World?
It is difficult to determine one specific brand as the most sustainable in the world, as sustainability can be measured in various ways and different brands may excel in different areas. Some brands that are often recognised for their sustainable practices include Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and Stella McCartney. Additionally, it is important to research and consider a brand's entire supply chain and not just their end products when determining sustainability. Consumer education and demand for sustainable products also play a significant role in promoting sustainable practices within the industry.
Is Zara A Sustainable Brand?
It depends on how you define the term. Zara, like many fast fashion brands, has faced criticism for its environmental and labour practices. However, the company has taken steps in recent years to become more environmentally aware, such as implementing more eco-friendly production methods and committing to using more sustainable materials.
Additionally, Zara has also committed to reducing its carbon footprint, water consumption and waste. However, the company is still in the process of implementing these changes and more work needs to be done to be considered a sustainable brand. It's important to research and make informed decisions when purchasing from any brand, regardless of whether or not it markets itself as sustainable.
Is Shein A Sustainablity Brand?
Even as the company positions itself as sustainable by donating to companies like The Or Foundation and setting up a foundation to handle textile waste, Shein isn't that much better than other brands of the fashion industry.
As discussed in other articles, Shein produces an unprecedented amount of clothing which in turn will add more to the waste. Even with setting up a foundation and donating to various causes, this likely offsets what other companies in the fashion industry produce.
But not for the waste that Shein produces.
If Shein was a sustainable clothing company, they would look into recycled fabrics, organic materials for clothes, a more transparent supply chain and invest in other recycled materials.
Can Luxury Brands Be Sustainable?
Yes, luxury brands can follow this same path if they so choose. As mentioned above, getting into ethical supply chains, investing in eco friendly materials, and establishing fair trade deals is something any company can do.
Furthermore, sustainability is a holistic concept that is very flexible. In fact, luxury brands in the fashion industry could be a bigger force for good if they invested in eco friendly materials, fair trade practices, improved their respective supply chain, and educated people on the benefits.
However, it is important to note that not all luxury brands may have the same level of commitment to sustainability, and it is important for consumers to research and support luxury brands that are actively working towards sustainability. As of right now, one of the biggest challenges is waste management since companies aren't pushing for mass use of recycled materials.
What Is Sustainable Clothing Brands Impact On The Environment?
Overall, the impact that the sustainablity-focused portion of the fashion industry has been positive on the environment. That much is clear when we look at the overall environmental impact that the fashion industry and their supply chain has had on the environment.
To begin, oil is used to make polyester and trees are a staple to making rayon/viscose. As a result companies need to cut down more trees and extract more oil from the ground in order to keep up with the production practices that the fast fashion industry currently enjoys. These two activities directly affect our environment.
And what's worse is that the fast fashion nature of it all encourages people to be more wasteful.
The fact that sustainable clothing brands are going for certified organic cotton, natural fibers or other recycled materials means they care about the environment. This is further proven by their responsibly sourced efforts, opting for plastic free clothing among other things.
All of that is rounded out by them investing in programs to reduce waste and creating a circular economy to reducing carbon emissions and encouraging others to consider striving for net zero emissions.
They're showing that a climate neutral policy can make a business thrive and that companies don't need to be so wasteful in order to be solvent.
How Does Sustainable Clothing Brands Affect The Economy?
According to Coherent Market Insights, the Global Sustainable Fashion Market was valued at $7.8 billion in 2023 and will reach $33.05 billion in 2030. While it's expected to have good growth, the number is small in comparison to the entire fast fashion industry which in 2023 was valued at $1.79 trillion.
As of right now, it's fair to say that the efforts that sustainable clothing brands have on the market is small and is popular in specific niches.
What Does Recycling Do In The Sustainablity Clothing Industry?
Ultimately recycling and using upcycled materials is the ideal use-case and value that these clothes strive to have. With the ultimate goal of reducing emissions and waste, these brands want customers to be able to recycle anything and everything that the brand works on and provides.
According to the world economic forum, simply using recycled materials can reduce carbon emissions by upwards of 80%. The high percentage has to do with the fact companies don't have to cause as much environmental damage if the clothing item in question is from a recycled source.
Is There A Difference Between Ethical And Sustainable Clothing Brands?
Yes. While each of these brands works on ESG values as a whole, the differences between each one comes down to what the company prioritizes the most.
In the case of ethical brands, they want to work on fair labor practices. They want workers to be paid ethical wages, they'll push for social activism causes, and practice fair trade. Ninety percent of their focus is on the workers themselves.
For the sustability brands, they prioritize mitigating as much damage to the environment as they can. They want to create a climate neutral, if not climate positive impact with what they are doing. This means they'll opt for plastic free clothes, regenerative agriculture, and donate to efforts that assist those fighting against the climate crisis.
How To Be A More Environmentally Conscious Consumer
On a consumer scale, the biggest difference we can all make is being more aware of the clothing we wear, how to mitigate waste, and prioritize keeping the planet around the next generation to enjoy.
What that means in specific actions means focusing on some of the following habits.
Educate Yourself On Materials And Where They're Sourced
There is a reason why companies are forced to list off ingredients in food as that allows people to look up what exactly those are and how it's sourced. Clothing is no different as clothes are made from specific materials.
It would be ideal if luxury brands or any fashion brand undergoes radical transparency and tells customers how their clothes are made, but where things stand, it'll be a long time for that.
As such, doing your own homework and looking into where materials are from can tell a lot about company practices. Needless to say, many who are responsibly sourced will have no issue talking about their process too.
Check Where The Clothing Is Made
The reason a lot of fast fashion brands are so affordable comes down to where the clothes are made. With little oversight over a supply chain, many go to options for clothing manufacturers are passed on to places that don't treat workers the best.
The same can be said for luxury brands as well as a 2023 report found 63% of these brands don't pay a living wage to anyone in their supply chain. What this suggests is that brands likely work with companies established in impoverished countries or countries that allow sweatshops and child labor practices to go mostly unchecked.
Choose Second Hand Over New
Whether it's t shirts, beautiful bags, or even stubling upon a danish label, second hand clothing stores can occasionally have some good clothing. Beyond that, making a point of buying about ninety percent of your clothes from second hand or thrift stores only continues that circular cycle for clothing.
On top of that, you may end up saving way more money going there as an entire wardrobe from a thirft store can easily cost you just as much as a few articles of clothes from a luxury brand.
Recognize Quality Sustainable Brands
As mentioned earlier, the market for sustainability clothing is small but they are by no means obscure. Opting for a more online presence, you can find several of these brands online and on social media. Another distinguishing characteristic is when a company is a b corp. B corps are businesses that are recognized by B Labs for their outstanding devotion to sustainability in their business practices.
Learning Proper Repair And Care Techniques
Finally, the biggest skill that can assist you in being more environmentally aware is by picking up proper repair and care techniques for your clothing. Even though many brands are cheaply made, learning how to sew and sticth clothes with recycled materials can prolong the life of pieces of clothing.
It feels even more satisfying when you are using natural materials to preserve your clothing.
13 Sustainable Designers To Look Out For
With the sustainability fashion industry growing over the coming years, there are several brands to keep an eye on. Below, we've assembled a list of 14 brands that we consider are playing a key role in this movement. These designers and brands are crafting fashionable and high-quality clothing and accessories, while making a positive impact on the environment and communities through their commitment to ethical practices.
BITE Studios
BITE Studios, BITE standing for By Independent Thinkers for Environmental progress, was founded in 2016 for the express purpose of creating exception designs with considered qualities. Originating in Sweden, they use their roots there to create organic fabrications and techniques.
BITE Studios designers work with exclusively silks, cottons and wools in order to create something beautiful.
It's also worth noting that the garments are distributed globally and are made in Italy and Portugal, without exception. But what is most impressive is over ninety percent of their collection is made from certified organic cotton (or other organic materials) as well as low-impact natural materials.
You can check out their latest clothing options here.
Stella McCartney
Known for her sharp tailoring and bold, contemporary designs, Stella McCartney has been a leader in green luxury fashion for years. She uses natural materials and ethical production methods (like fair trade agreements) to create her collections. In fact, the brand has never used leather or fur in any of their designs in order to protect the environment.
Stella McCartney has been vocal about her commitment to sustainability and has implemented various environmental practices in her brand, such as using certified organic cotton, synthetic alternatives, and innovative materials like vegan leather. The end goal for the brand is to have net-zero emissions by 2040.
She also has a closed-loop recycling programme where customers can bring back their old items to become recycled materials or to be resold. Various organisations, such as the British Fashion Council and the Ethical Fashion Forum, have recognised Stella Maccartney for her brand's sustainability efforts.
Top 5 Social Sustainability Examples You Need To Know
Eileen Fisher
Like all on this list, Eileen Fisher, an American luxury designer, has a circular programme in place to recycle used clothing. Branded as Eileen Fisher Renew this climate neutral project is about extending the lifecycle of their various clothes.
All that a customer has to do is return the clothes and they handle the rest. You even receive $5 in Renew Rewards per article of clothing you return - regardless of condition.
This is refreshing in comparison to other recycled modelling systems where brands expect you to sell their clothing, like Shein and their recycled materials and clothing program.
Beyond that, Fisher's brand is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, which works towards sustainability in the apparel and footwear industry too.
Eileen Fisher has implemented various eco-friendly and sustainable practices in their brand, such as using organic cotton, low-impact dyes, being plastic free and using renewable energy in their factories. These efforts are enough for the company to be a b corp certified organization.
Gabriela Hearst
This Uruguayan-American sustainable fashion designer is known for their elegant and timeless designs. Their products in particular are a favourite among fashion-conscious consumers for many reasons.
Hearst's brand is committed to sustainability and ethical practices since 2015 and have been making leaps and bounds since then. Like all on this list, they use materials such as certified organic cotton, low-impact dyes and their factory workers enjoy fair trade agreements and run on renewable enegy.
They're still showing innovation as well such as in 2017 they introduced aloe-treated linen. Beyond that, what also distinguishes them is the use of vegetable-tanned leather. This is in addition to about 25 percent of their collections being made from deadstock materials.
Their recent efforts were in 2022 where they have set a goal to eliminate using virgin materials. This means materials like timber, coal and natural gas, or any materials that must be extracted from nature and haven't been processed aren't going to be used.
Overall, the company shows promise in that goal as Gabriela Hearst is one of the few brands to have staged the first carbon-neutral fashion show during New York Fashion Week.
Christy Dawn
This American designer focuses on using sustainable materials such as deadstock fabrics, and other natural materials. They also follow ethical production methods such as sustainable sourcing, adaptive management, and just working conditions.
The clothing in question is vintage-inspired designs that are both stylish and of course use those aforementioned sustainable materials.
Overall, Christy Dawn is a mixture of social causes and sustainability best practices. With the end goal of providing regenerative tapestries to customers, the brand is focusing on the bigger picture to make that a reality.
You get a good feeling of the impact they want to create when you check out their ‘'Glossary of Regeneration”. This makes it clear what their priorities are and how they want to achieve those realities.
Patagonia
While not considered a ‘luxury' brand, this American outdoor clothing company has for decades been setting the leading global standard for its commitment to sustainability. It is to the point that Patagonia is a b corp certified organization.
That makes sense when we consider that Patagonia pretty much wrote the book on a variety of eco-friendly initivatives like:
Developing circular fabrics,
Establishing a blueprint for respectful and equitable workforce practices,
And the popularity of natural materials like organic cotton.
What continues to set them apart is a self-imposed Earth tax. It's set to 1% for the Planet with the money going to various nonprofits around the world. Overall, Patagonia has donated over $140 million towards these sustainable efforts as a result of this tax. And that is just the beginning.
They have undertaken various environmental projects around the world, encourage sports leaders to drive positive social and environmental change, among other things.
If you want a solid example of what a eco-friendly business should look like, Patagonia is a good example.
Christopher Raeburn
Christopher Raeburn is a British designer known for their groundbreaking attitude towards eco-friendly fashion. Their designs incorporate reused components and military surplus to create unique pieces of clothing that embody sustainability. Every aspect of the designer's label points back to sustainable production methods and natural materials such as organic cotton.
Raeburn also prioritizes renewable energy in their facilities and even sets up events where they instruct customers on how to repair clothing on purchased garments.
All in all, the brand is very community focused as their recent events discuss the company having moving sales where they sold old t-shirts, accessories, and other clothing from the past 15 years. They've also been collaborating with various brands, like Studio Sucis, to scale up and improve their business model.
Viktor & Rolf
Viktor & Rolf is a renowned Dutch fashion house that demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices through its avant-garde designs. With provocative couture, unexpected elegance, and conceptual glamour, the brand boldly embraces these terms with their designs and their values.
In 2015, the company's CEOs announced they were terminating their ready-to-wear line after that years autum/winter collection. While the decision overall is a more sustainable option (less consumption and waste), the company wanted to dive deeper into sustainability and eco friendly practices.
And people were all for that as one organization looked into just how sustainable the organization became with their next collection. While couture isn't what ninety percent of people wear every day, the company as a whole has been stepping little by little into street style and fast fashion.
All the while, keeping sustainability in mind with their various garments, t shirts, and collaborations with others. As the study mentioned, there are some cases where Viktor & Rolf deviate from sustainability (likely one reason for why this company isn't a b corp yet), but overall they are a positive force to promote sustainability.
Rare & Fair
Rare & Fair, the luxury eco-brand, is committed to promoting handmade items crafted with ecological and natural materials.
To ensure that workers are motivated by using environmentally friendly resources, all clothes and accessories are handcrafted by artisans and then directly sold to customers. In this manner, they can guarantee the full support of artisans who specialise in manual weaving techniques.
This full transparency is extended well beyond their employees as the company promises to meet every supplier personally and makes a point of introducing customers to farms, communities and artisans who made the products they purchased.
The company works with small groups, village co-operatives, family businesses and local designers in rural Thailand, to create natural clothing and accessories.
Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat is a Canadian brand that proudly lives out its commitment to sustainability with vegan materials and recycled plastic bottles featured in its clothing and accessories.
Their devotion goes beyond design - they use organic cotton, low-impact dyes, and renewable energy sources at their factories, and openly promote their close relationship with suppliers. They also prohibit the use of any leather or animal material in their products. A feat that is impressive since they sell wallets.
While not b corp certified, they are committed to being transparent with their supply chain. They ensure they visit every facility that they work with and even get their own CEO to visit two or three times per year.
Amour Vert
Amour Vert is a renowned American brand that has made sustainability, and particularly low impact materials, its priority.
The company has developed close relationships with mills so they can develop their own fabrics that meet their targets of texture and feel, while ensuring full traceability of all fibres used to maintain overview on the environmental impact of their supply chain.
You can resell your used items via their ‘'ReAmour'' programme, and help them in their journey: “The road to sustainability is a journey with no clear destination and we firmly believe in getting there”.
They also have other initives and events like markdown sales and buy a tee, plant a tree to expand their reach and environmental impact.
MUD Jeans
Ever since 2015, MUD Jeans became a certified B Corp and makes a point of celebrating that fact. They achieved that certification in their early days as a company which goes to show their commitment and efforts to meeting social and environmental performance measures, accountability, and transparency.
And you really see that in the sense that the company produces denim products like jeans and jean jackets. It's a big deal since traditional jeans uses an average of 1500 gallons of water to produce a single pair.
So to have MUD Jeans say they've saved 48.7 million liters of water in 2022 and continue to save more every year says something about their commitment.
Proudly boasting as the world's first circular denim brand, the company is well worth supporting if you're a fan of jeans and have been worried about the environmental impact of them.
Girlfriend Collective
American brand Girlfriend Collective is all about mitigating waste as much as possible. When learning about them, they believe in ethical manufacturing, use of recycled materials, and provide clothing for all shapes and sizes.
But one of the biggest virtues is their transparency. They don't hesitate in telling customers it develops all its textiles using recycled materials at its Taiwan facility. They even tell customers directly that their facility is SA8000 certified.
And they provide documentation for that.
Furthermore, their recycled fabric is certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, the world's leading organization in testing fabrics to regulate harmful substances. Because of that rigorous and thorough inspection, you can be confident that the brand isn't using harmful chemicals and dyes and prioritizes recycled materials, natural materials and dyes, and wants to reduce and avoid plastic pollution.
The company is also striving for carbon neutrality in their products as well by partnering with EcoCart, an organization that funds carbon offset projects. What's nice is that company performs rigorous vetting on the specific projects themselves, ensuring that the project is providing the carbon offsetting, but is also creating social good. Examples of that being projects that lead to protecting endangered species or creating local jobs.
If you're looking for sustainable women apparel, then you can't go wrong with this company.
The Bottom Line
By supporting these designers and their brands, consumers can make a conscious and informed decision to promote a more sustainable fashion industry. The fashion industry has been criticised for its negative impact on the environment for a long time, and these designers and creative directors are done with that.
Here they are showing to the fashion industry that a creative director or fashion brand can have designs focused on sustainability and make a profit doing so. They have staked their reputation on the line that any business can do this, albeit with some difficulty and challenges. And without a doubt other companies can follow suit.
All that the fashion industry needs is more people caring about the planet that they will support the existing companies already striving to be or are sustainable.
Keep track of performance via our Company ESG Profiles, so you can see ESG Ratings compiled in a single place, with access to current ESG reports.
