‘Ethical fashion is the recognition that there are human beings behind the clothes that we wear’
– Elizabeth Joy
Ethical & Sustainable Fashion
A 2021 report from the World Economic Forum identified the fashion industry as the planet’s third largest polluter (after food and construction). From the supply chain to the end product, the fashion industry produces more CO2 emissions than both the shipping and aviation industries combined! When you consider the various processes required to create a piece of clothing, from the raw material, to the manufacturing, production and transport, you might be surprised it’s the fibres that are responsible for the most emissions. Almost two-thirds of clothing use synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon. These fibres are non-renewable and created from fossil fuels – most commonly crude oil.
Over the last few years I have seen some wonderful companies be created, producing sustainable and ethical clothing, not only with recycled textiles, but focusing on the entire production and manufacturing processes, ensuring every aspect of their business is helping both people and the planet.
Check out our recommendations for ethical & sustainable fashion in our Eco Directory.
- Brand Q&A with aciae
Sustainable footwear can be difficult to find and challenging to create, but aciae is showing us that it’s possible. Revolutionising the sustainable footwear market by not only creating shoes from post-consumer materials, including ocean-bound plastics, they design shoes that are stylish and comfortable to wear. With circularity at the core of their value’s, this Australian… Read more: Brand Q&A with aciae - What is a B Corp? And should all businesses strive to become one?
‘Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corp companies are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.’ How did B Corp begin? The B… Read more: What is a B Corp? And should all businesses strive to become one? - 3 Sustainable Footwear Brands You Will Love
Sustainable fashion shouldn’t end with the clothes we wear but needs to include our entire outfit, including sustainable footwear. Shoes are commonly made with unsustainable materials that can be a detriment to our environment, and that’s not including the conditions the workers are subject to when making the footwear. Here are 3 brands who consider… Read more: 3 Sustainable Footwear Brands You Will Love - What I learnt from my year of the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge
At the start of 2022 I made a decision to participate in a ‘No New Clothes’ challenge for the entire year. I have previously taken part in the Slow Fashion Movement campaign for 3 months of the year, where you purchase no new clothes for 3 months straight. But I wanted to experiment and take… Read more: What I learnt from my year of the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge - Halfway through the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge. Here’s what our Editor has discovered so far.
Our Editor Sammy undertook the challenge of buying no new clothes for an entire year. Read on to see how she’s going and her thoughts on the process so far. Halfway through the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge! I’ve been busy making huge life shifts including a sea change, so organising houses and our belongings has… Read more: Halfway through the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge. Here’s what our Editor has discovered so far. - Brand Spotlight with BelieveIn Co
With the fashion industry as one of the most polluting industries in the world, I truly believe that those wanting to change the system are creating a new movement back towards the traditional ways of making and producing clothing. True sustainability within the fashion industry encompasses a whole range of systems and processes, making it… Read more: Brand Spotlight with BelieveIn Co - One month into the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge, let’s see how it’s going.
Well, not sure how it can be February already, but here we are! Last month I challenged myself to buy no new clothes for the entire of 2022. Read it here if you missed it. Temptations so far? So how’s it going? Well honestly it’s been easy so far! Tempted? Yes maybe a couple of… Read more: One month into the ‘No New Clothes’ challenge, let’s see how it’s going. - Our Editor’s ‘No New Clothes’ Challenge for 2022
Going out and buying clothes whenever we want is a privilege, and for most of us happens on a regular basis. A new outfit for a wedding, birthday or special event is always needed right? What if you were forced to get creative and wear what you already own for a whole year? This is… Read more: Our Editor’s ‘No New Clothes’ Challenge for 2022 - Brand Q&A with The Other Bag
The Other Bag create a range of totes and crossbody bags created from 100% regenerated and recycled plastics and waste. Not only are they helping reduce and recycle waste, their bags are a compact solution ensuring you have a reusable bag on hand whenever you need. We chat to the Founders of The Other Bag,… Read more: Brand Q&A with The Other Bag - Are you being greenwashed?
It’s cool to be green, and now everyone is jumping onboard. What happens when companies appear to be doing the right thing, but aren’t? Greenwashing is a huge issue and everyone deserves a right to know what’s going on. What is greenwashing? ‘Greenwashing is a form of spin, in which green PR or green marketing… Read more: Are you being greenwashed?