Not so fast fashion
Just a decade ago, people would associate sustainable fashion with dowdy prints, modest cuts and unfashionable brands. But as climate consciousness has moved to the forefront of a consumer’s agenda, more and more people want to reduce the amount of waste they produce, and more consumers want to buy clothes that have been sourced responsibly and sustainably. (Extra reading: our guide to the charities and services where you can recycle your clothes here; our guide to eco-fabrics here.)
Some big brands have been early pioneers, while other new upstarts are coming up with new innovative ways to turn waste into new products, reducing the amount that goes to landfill. At ICON we offer a range of materials for those looking to be more sustainable, including organic cotton, recycled cotton and bamboo, and can advise anyone about options for how they print their merch. Here are some of the brands at the forefront of making forward-thinking, sustainable fashion.
R Collective
The R Collective is a high-end upcycled fashion brand making clothes using waste materials from clothing waste NGO Redress. Featuring silk, polyester and modal fabrics, the highly sought after brand curate their clothes through the use of exclusively rescued waste materials.
Patagonia
It’s hard to find an urban street in the Western hemisphere where someone isn’t wearing an item from Patagonia. The American brand, named after the mountain region bordering Argentina and Chile, belongs to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and has pinned its colours to the mast by voicing its support and activism as part of the Global Climate Strike. Now, Patagonia wearers can mail in their used gear for store credit, or can have their clothing repaired by the store. CEO Rose Marcario is also aiming to make the brand carbon neutral by 2025.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective make leggings, shorts and bras out of old water bottles and fishing nets, and produces its clothing in a factory in Vietnam that pays living wages to its workers. Sourcing the bottles that go into their clothing from Taiwan’s “garbage island,” their inclusion in the clothing is overseen by Taiwainese authorities. As well as leading the fight against fast fashion, the brand prides itself on being size inclusive and catering for all body shapes.
Batoko
To date, Batoko have recycled the equivalent weight of 220,000 plastic bottles into swimwear. Using the tag line “they’re rubbish – literally” the company based in the north west of England said they intend to keep their supply chain and output small and simple, to ensure their items are sustainably sourced all the way. For any fashion brand, there is one upside using this mantra: exclusivity heightens demand.
Reformation
Reformation began its fashion journey in 2016, and it has been making waves since. The brand, designing everything from bridal gowns to underwear, using up to 75 per cent renewable or sustainable fibres in their clothing, as well as offsetting their energy sources and opting for renewable fibre Tencel over cotton in their design. The brand believe that a four-week design process is the key to sustainability – and their outlook has paid off. Reformation boasts a broad spectrum of a-list clientele: Meghan Markle and Emily Ratajkowski have been spotted wearing pieces from the statement brand.
People Tree
Created in Tokyo, People Tree has been a pioneer in fair trade, sustainable fashion since 1991. Using recycled material to make everything from dresses to jewellery, the brand has been at the forefront of the fight against fast fashion, becoming the first company to be awarded a World Fair Trade Organisation product label.
Nike
One of the world’s biggest sports brands is incorporating upcycled materials into its new shoes. Now, 71% of Nike’s products are created from what they’ve dubbed Grind materials, whether it’s trim sourced from an old running trainer or Los Angeles Rams shirts created from old Nike products. It includes the much talked about Nigeria football kit, below.
Everlane
Everlane’s ethos is to make every part of its production process transparent to its customers. Their approach has won them hundreds of thousands of fans and millions in investment. As their collection evolves, so are the brand’s ethical commitments. Aside from producing 100% recyclable clothing, they have recently announced a ReNew recycled outerwear range.
Want to print on recycled or organic cotton apparel? ICON Printing offer a range of recycled and organic cotton blanks for printing. Our clients include Boiler Room, WeWork, the Tate and Niketown. Get a quote in 2 minutes online.