It’s no secret that the fashion industry is in dire need of change when it comes to improving its sustainable credentials. It is, of course, a hugely complex issue and one that won’t be fixed overnight, however, from a fashion editor perspective, it has been inspiring to see e-commerce platforms step up their game and introduce initiatives that champion brands that are making moves in the right direction. In the world of high fashion? It’s NET-A-PORTER’s Sustain edit that has become our go-to for discovering brands, both big and small, that are bringing about change.
Taking into account everything from materials and processes, to waste reduction and circularity, NET SUSTAIN essentially does all the hard work for us. While the likes of Stella MCarney and Ganni make the line-up, it’s the edit’s lesser-known names that have particularly caught our eye this season. You’ve got Rave Review, a brand that creates new clothing out of second-hand and unwanted fabrics; Deji Studios, the loungewear line that colours its with designs with environmentally-friendly, azo-free dyes; or Sindiso Khumalo, a brand that works closely with small African factories to produce hand-woven textiles out of eco-friendly fabrics, including organic cotton, linen and hemp. Of course, no brand is perfect, and this is an area that we’re all continuing to learn more about, but the innovations and practices these brands are championing give us hope for wider change within the industry. Scroll down to see and shop the up-and-coming conscious brands NET-A-PORTER, and fashion insiders alike, are backing for 2021.
