Sustainable Outfits

The Sustainable Shopping Guide: Matches Fashion

A.A. Spectrum

Type: Ethical/Environmentally Responsible

Working to change the stigma around “Made in China”, A. A. Spectrum infuses elements of traditional Chinese culture into their thoroughly modern label. Plus, they produced in China with artisanal manufacturing and environmentally responsible sourcing.

outfit_1231806_1 aa spectrum jacket  

Ace & Jig

Type: Artisan-made

Ace & Jig is known for their customized woven fabrics. Their collections are designed in Brooklyn. After that they are brought to life by artisanal Indian weavers. Above all, they strive to produce no waste and use reuse their fabric scraps.

  

Adidas by Stella McCartney

Type: Sustainable

Taking her sustainable ethos to Adidas has been very sucessful. This line uses natural materials like organic cotton and sustainable materials like recycled nylon. Plus, it got the world discussing sustainability in activewear.

  

Álvaro

Type: Sustainable

Handcrafted in artisanal workshops in Italy. The bags are made from eco-friendly vegetable tanned leather that comes from tanneries in Florence.

  

Ana Khouri

Type: Ethical

This delicate jewelry is based on Ana Khouri study of sculpture. Therefore, it is very natural in style. Plus, every piece is molded from a single cast and the metals used are fair trade and ethically sourced.

  

Ancient Greek Sandals

Type: Artisan

Inspired by Greek mythology and style. These sandals are made by Greek artisans using traditional methods. Plus, aren’t they cute?

  

Andy Wolf

Type: Sustainable

Handmade in Austria. Andy Wolf combines sleek high tech design with sustainable Italian acetate.

  

Anissa Kermiche

Type: Ethical

Started as an engineer and ended up in jewelry design. I love the story behind Anissa Kermiche. Founded in 2016, Anissa Kermiche is based in London and uses materials like fair trade gold.

  

Antonello Tedde

Type: Sustainable

Antonello was inspired by Antonello Tedde’s mother and grandmother. Everything in the bag is natural with regenerated cotton and wool.

Apiece Apart

Type: Sustainable

Produced in the U.S. with a focus on natural materials like organic cotton and linen. Above all, the ethos of this brand is clean and wearable.

  

Aurélie Bidermann

Type: Ethical

Jewelry for the bohemian. Everything is produced by hand in France with ethical sourcing.

  

ATM

Type: Ethical

Relaxed and comfy. ATM is named for designer Anthony Thomas Melillo and is produced ethically in Peru using local materials like Peruvian cotton.

  

Audrey Louise Reynolds

Type: Slow production

Founded in Brooklyn, Audrey Louise Reynolds uses all natural ingredients to create her beautiful dyes. In addition, every piece is unique, with a vivid color, and has been handmade.

  

Batsheva

Type: Vintage Fabrics

These insta-worthy dresses have been everywhere. I was super excited to learn that they are produced with vintage fabrics in small batches in NYC.

  

Belize

Type: Ethical

Founded by Fiona Bansal and Valeska Deutsch. This brand brings together cultures in a streamlined way. Think ancient India meets Austrian lace. Plus, everything is manufactured in Europe.

Bibi van der Velden

Type: Sustainable

These pieces are a mix of natural and fantasy. Designed in New York, Bibi van der Velden uses sustainable gold, and other eco-friendly materials to walk the line between sustainability and luxury.

  

Blaze Milano x Arizona Muse

Type: Sustainable

This collaboration between Blazé Milano and Arizona Muse is totally eco-friendly. The fabrics have been sourced through The Sustainable Angle. For example, the collection includes materials like organic wool.

  

Bodas

Type: Ethical

Based in London. Bodas makes essentials and sleepwear. They’ve received the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark and source their materials mainly from the E.U. For example, you’ll see Welsh cashmere, French lace, sun protecting Italian technical fabric and supima cotton.

  

Borgo De Nor

Type: Local production

Based in London. Borgo De Nor sources their fabrics from within the U.K. and has ethical production standards.

  

Bower

Type: Sustainable

This swimwear is inspired by 1970’s screen sirens and wouldn’t look out of place in the era. The difference is these suits are made with sustainable ECONYL. Nylon that comes from recycled fishing lines.

  

By Walid

Type: Vintage fabrics

Made with handpicked vintage fabrics. For example, you’ll fall in love with the 19th- century Chinese silk. In Addition to fabrics, By Walid employs artisan craftspeople to create these amazing pieces.

  

Capranea

Designed in Grau­bünden, Switzerland, Capranea is skiwear with an urban aesthetic. The collection is handmade in Portugal and uses innovative and sometimes sustainable materials. For example you’ll see pieces made with PETRATEX.

  

Carrie Forbes

Type: Artisan

Socially Responsible, Artisanal and Handcrafted. For example, Carrie Forbes employs female artisans in Morocco who use traditional weaving techniques that have been used since ancient times in Morocco.  In addition to ethical employment, Carrie thinks about sourcing. The raffia used is sourced from Madagascar and is naturally dyed.

  

Chimala

Type: Artisan

Designed in New York and crafted in Japan, Chimala does denim artisanally. They work with very small denim factory’s and the dyes and techniques are the traditional ones cultivated by Japan’s denim industry.

  

Chufy

Type: Artisan-Made

Sofía Sanchez de Betak works with artisans around the world to make her designs. For example, you’ll see traditional techniques like hand printing and hand stitching are used.

  

Colville

Type: Slow

Made in limited quantities and never mass produced. Therefor the collections from Colville are designed to personal and thought of as art pieces that you will keep.

  

Commonwealth Fashion Exchange

Type: Sustainable

This capsule edit is the result Matches Fashions work with the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange. Start by Eco-Age and the British Fashion Council, the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange is a showcase of global artisanal work that also encourages sustainability. However, it’s not arround for long so check it out soon.

  

Cordova

Type: Sustainable

Fabrics that are certified by Bluesign, and responsibly sourced in the E.U. Cordova, is eco-friendly winter wear that is also figure flattering and feminine.

Cult Gaia

Type: Sustainable

Cult is in the name, and you’ve seen the bags everywhere.However, did you know they are made with natural and salvaged bamboo in L.A?

  

Danse Lente

Type: Slow

Danse Lente means slow dance in French and so it’s a plus that the bags are slowly made! Therefore, the materials are produced by artisans who use traditional techniques and add modern embellishments.

Plus, Danse Lente has also launched the Rehome Project where they are take bags that have small defects and are redesigning them eventually they’ll be raffled or donated.

  

D’Ascoli

Type: Artisan-made

Handmade in their New Delhi textile studio, D’Ascoli combines ancient and modern methods to make vivid prints. In Addition, materials include locally grown cotton and silk.

  

Denis Colomb

Type: Artisan

Made by artisans in Nepal, Denis first started visiting the region in 2003. After that he launched his brand. Now, his products are hand-loomed and use Mongolian cashmere.

  

Dragon Diffusion

Type: Artisan

Designed in Brussels and crafted in India, the Dragon Diffusion Bags use traditional weaving techniques and combines them with leather. They produce in partnership with a team of artisans.

  

Duro Olowu

Type: Sustainable

One of Nigeria’s most well-known designers, Duro Olowu has been dipping his designs in sustainability since he launched in 2005. His collections have featured recycled African prints, vintage fabrics.

Eckhaus Latta

Type: Sustainable

Eckhaus Latta has always reminded me of how brands should be in the future. They don’t claim sustainability, they just are sustainable. For example, they use recycled materials and recycle as a way to be resourceful with creativity.

Edeltrud Hofmann

Type: Vintage Fabrics

Every shirt from Edeltrud Hofmann is Made from deadstock silk. The shirts are vintage inspired, super fun, and definitely bright.

  

Edward Crutchley

Type: Ethical

English manufacturing meets otherworldy traditions at Edward Crutchley. From traditional Japanese dyes to traditional styles like the kimono, this brand mixes craft with modernity.

  

Ernest Leoty

Type: Ethical

This brand brings couture details to activewear, and they’ve even made a wearable, comfortable corset. Produced in the E.U. Ernest Leoty uses factories that are committed to ethical and sustainable production.

  

Ferian

Type: Sustainable

Produced in England using the traditional techniques to make a saddle. The leather used is vegetable dyed and eco-friendly.

Figue

Type- Artisan-made

Figue collaborates with artisans around the world for its bohemian influenced clothing. Therefore, the pieces are handmade and incorporate different techniques from each community.

  

Filù Hats

Type: Artisan

Based in Italy, each hat is made by artisans in the Alps using centuries-old traditional techniques. The straw comes from Ecuador and Japan.

  

Fisch

Type: Sustainable

Sustainable fabric meets hand-painted fun in this swimwear brand. ECONYL is used because it’s fully regenerative and helps stop environmental destruction. They also double as a great bodysuit.

Francesca Villa

Type: Artisan

Launched in 2007, Francesca Villa’s designs are definitely unique. Many of the pieces used are sourced from antique shops in Italy and are then crafted into statement jewelry by Italian artisans.

  

Gabriela Hearst

Type: Sustainable

Gabriela Hearst will go plastic free by 2019. In addition to take leadership, she’s been a constant model for sustainable fashion. She uses sustainable fabrics and biodegradable packaging.

  

Germanier

Type: Sustainable

Proving that you can still be sustainable and use beading is Kevin Germanier. His collection is entirely upcycled. For example, discarded beads and glitter are used for sparkle.

  

Gioia Bini

Type: Ethical

Gioia Bini’s designs are endlessly pretty. They are all ethically created in Florence too. She sourced her fabrics from all over the world on her travels.

  

Giuliva Heritage Collection

Type: Sustainable

High quality and natural. Giuliva Heritage Collection uses men’s tailoring principles to make stylish and slick collections. Plus, they also reduce waste with sustainable production.

  

Goya

Type: Artisan

Handmade in the Alicante region. Goya produces a modern take on the traditional Menorquina sandal. They are handmade by artisans who have worked in the region for decades.

  

Gucci

Type: Sustainable

Committing to sustainable luxury in 2014. Gucci has a 10-year plan to implement their sustainable goals. After that, they’ve launched Gucci Equilibrium to help with transparency, have been incorporating sustainable materials into their products.

  

Harris Wharf

Type: Ethical

Sharp cuts and lovely colors are what first made me notice this brand. Harris Wharf London is designed in London but produced in Turin at designer Giulia Acciardi’s grandfather’s glove-making factory. Above all they value craft. However, they also stick to a few Italy sourced fabrics to help keep the price point reasonable.

  

Heimat Atlantica

Type: Artisan

Montserrat Alvarez is an experiment at preserving traditional craft. Therefore, the bags are inspired by Northern Spain and Portugal and are handwoven on looms by Spanish and Portuguese artisans.

  

Hunting Season

Type: Artisan

Hunting Season is the product of melding cultures. For instance, brand uses handwoven straw techniques from Colombian artisans who make the bags and combines handcrafted Italian hardware.

  

I Love Mr Mittens

Type: Sustainable

Sustainably produced knitwear. I Love Mr Mittens relies on a community of independent knitters who hand knit the collections.

Innika Choo

Type: Artisan

Based in Bali, Innika Choo produces the perfect summer attire. Using natural materials and traditional techniques like hand embroidery, these artisanal pieces will make you dream of warmer days.

  

Jade Swim

Type: Sustainable

Bright swimsuits that are still minimalist in design. The fabric used is sustainable And Italian.

  

Joelle Kharrat

Type: Artisan

This brand is based in Beirut and combines bohemian with diligent craft. The artisans who produce these pieces are from Bourj Hammoud and use traditional wax casting to make each piece.

  

Johanna Ortiz

Type: Artisan

Johanna produces her collection in Colombia and works diligently to give back to the community that raised her. Therefore, along with her brand she has also started a school that teaches sewing techniques to local women.

  

Kalita

Type: Artisan

Based in London and made in Bali with locally sourced materials. Kalita employs traditional artisans and is eco-conscious using dyes that are made by hand.

  

Katharine Hamnett London

Type: Sustainable

Katharine Hamnett is political and ethical. The designs are unisex and the materials are ethically and responsibly sourced. For instance, you’ll see GOTS certified cotton in her fabrics.

  

Khokho

Type: Sustainable

Handmade in Swaziland with sustainable lutindzi grass. This grass, in particular, is super great because it doesn’t use as much water. The leather used is vegetable tanned and the hardware is hand craved cow horn. These horns are often just discarded and not used too! In other words, one man’s waste is anothers beautiful bag.

  

Kilometre Paris

Type: Vintage fabrics

Made for the traveler and those who want to carry the journey with them. For instance, every piece, has an embroidered far flung location. Kilometre Paris uses vintage linen and off to the artisan communities in Mexico and India that they partner with.

  

La Fetiche

Type: Slow

Franco-Scottish inspiration abounds at La Fetiche. April Crichton, (Scotland) and Orély Forestier (France) use local sourcing and small batch production to preserve the traditional skills of their respective homes and craft a timeless wardrobe at the same time.

  

Lee Mathews

Type: Sustainable

2018 saw Lee Mathews release it’s most sustainable collection. They practice sustainable manufacturing with water and waste reduction and use sustainable biodegradable natural materials and have started using ECONYL in their swimwear.

  

Lizzie Fortunato

Type: Ethical

This is costume jewelry with an ethical slant. It’s produced in New York City and employs ethically including lots of single mothers.

  

LNDR

Type: Sustainable

Launched in 2015, LNDR is minimalist and stylish activewear. They are committed to sustainable production and ethical practices. Plus, they use sustainable fabrics like euro jersey.

  

Lola Hats

Type: Artisan

Designed in New York. These unique hats are hand pressed and made on vintage blocks in Paris that give the hats an old world feel.

  

Loup Charmant

Type: Ethical

Dreamy dresses for the ethereal girl. Loup Charmant was launched in 2006 and focuses their fabrics on natural materials like organic cotton. They are designed in NYC and produced in the U.S.

  

Lutz Morris

Type: Ethical

Designed and produced in Germany, Lutz Morris is committed to slow production. Materials are produced and sourced in Germany and are held to strict environmental standards. Plus a portion of the sale is donated to Every Mother Counts!

  

M.i.h Jeans

Type: Sustainable

Launched in 1969, today M.i.h Jeans still relies on its retro roots and has added an increasing sustainable slant. They’ve launched their Paradise Capsule which is full of low impact fabrics and processes and they’ve also released a 10-year sustainability manifesto.

  

Maharishi

Type: Sustainable

Utilitarian vibes with ecologically sound practices. Maharishi uses eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton and upcycled fabrics like old parachutes.

  

Mara Hoffman

Type: Sustainable

Designed in New York, Mara Hoffman is known for her colorful ready wear and awesome swimsuits. Her production is sustainable and her fabrics are natural, hand-loomed, and organic.

  

Maria La Rosa

Type: Traditional Techniques

Slow fashion hosiery! Maria La Rosa makes her tights and socks by hand on antique looms and the hosiery is made with natural fibers like alpaca fleece and linen.

  

Marine Serre

Type: Sustainable

Sustainability is a key part of the Marine Serre brand. Her collections are made from recycled or reclaimed materials. Plus, she is super innovative and uses upcycled crystals.

  

Marit Ilison

Type: Artisan

Marit Ilison takes vintage Soviet blankets and makes them into reversible coats! The costs are handmade by skilled artisans in Estonia.

  

Meeyye

Type: Sustainable

Sustainable sunglasses are easier to find now, but glasses are definitely still hard to find. Therefore, Meeyye is changing that. They make bifocal glasses and sunglasses with sustainable materials.

  

Mes Demoiselles

Type: Artisan

Founder Anita Radovanovic, fell in love with traditional textiles on her travels and launched a brand based on the amazing fabrics she saw. After that, Mes Demoiselles grew and is now produced by traditional Indian weavers and artisans.

  

Monique Péan

Type: Ethical

Monique Péan is fine jewelry with a conscious. She ethically sources her materials and uses her brand to raise awareness about a range of issues.

  

Montelliana

Type: Ethical

Boots that are made with natural materials and traditional techniques. This Italian shoe brand employs traditional Norwegian shoe techniques and uses vegetable tanned leather. Plus, water-based glues!

  

Muuñ

Type: Artisan

Muuñ is a cross-cultural brand. Designed in Paris, produced in Ghana, and they also include Japanese influences in their designs. Each one is handwoven and uses natural dyes for coloring.

  

 Morpho + Luna

Type: Sustainable

Vivid loungewear that has a traceable wool. Morpho + Luna produces their collections at Reda, the only wool mill in the world that has received an EMAS certification. In addition, they source their merino wool from three farms in New Zealand.

  

Muzungu Sisters

Type: Artisan

Muzungu Sisters launched in 2009 and has a fair, artisanal ethos. They now work with 16 different artisan communities around the world. So you know the quality and craftsmenship is nearly unreal.

  

Myar

Type: Vintage Fabric

Myar is made through upcycled military clothing to create their line of workwear. Therefore, in line with the miliary sourcing the style is very much utilitarian and functional.

  

My Beachy Side

Type: Ethical

Handmade in Turkey. My Beachy Side is a brand full of beautiful handknitted, woven, and crochet pieces. The women who make them are refugees.

  

Negative Underwear

Type: Ethical

Underwear at its base should be comfortable and functional. Negative Underwear is taking underwear back to the basics, sourcing the best fabrics, and components from around the world. All of their factories comply with ethical and environmental standards and Negative Underwear spends lots of time in these factories getting to known the women who make the underwear.

  

Noki

Type: Upcycled

This is the anti-brand. Noki is run by Dr. Noki, who has been running campaigns against fast fashion since the 1990’s. This collection is completely upcycled from mass produced clothing that has been fundamentally changed.

  

PB0110

Type: Sustainable

Natural materials and functional design are what encompasses PB0110. The bags are made in the E.U. with vegetable tanned leather and linen.

  

Pendleton

Type: Ethical

Pendleton started as a trading partnership with Native American communities in the U.S. in 1863 and its still a family run business and is still connected to Native communities. They use wool from the U.S.

  

Pepper & Mayne

Type: Sustainable

Elegant activewear that is inspired by ballerinas. They have a fully traceable supply chain and ethically produce all their products. They also include sustainable materials like organic cotton.

  

Perfect Moment

Type: Sustainable

Perfect Moment is outdoor athletic wear that takes sustainability seriously. They make their clothes with sustainable and recycled materials like their fabric PrimaLoft® ECO, which is made from 28 recycled bottles.

  

Peterson Stoop

Type: Eco-conscious

Crafted by artisans in a small Dutch village at Peterson Stoop’s in-house factory. These shoes are genderless and sustainable. They’ve used recycled materials and try to make each collection as environmentally conscious as possible.

  

Pippa Holt

Type: Artisan

Colorful kaftans that are great for summer and fall. They are handmade in Mexico by artisans and each more takes a month to make.

  

Primury

Minimalist sneakers with a sustainable edge. Started in 2014, Primury produces in Portugal and uses recycled rubber for their sneakers.

  

Pour Les Femmes

Type: Ethical

Founded by Robin Wright and Karen Fowler, after a trip to the Congo. Pour Les Femmes employs refugee women in from the Congo who are survivors of violence and displacement.

  

Queene and Belle

Type: Artisan

Produced in the Scottish knitting heartland, Hawick. Queene and Belle use traditional knitting techniques to craft their super comfy knitwear and employ specialist artisan knitters to make the clothes.

  

Re/Done

Type: Vintage Fabrics

Based in L.A. Re/Done upcycles old Levi’s that still have that sturdy denim the brand is known for. They take the old jeans apart at the seams and make the jeans new.

  

Reinhard Plank Hats

Type: Ethical

Reinhard Plank is known for their minimalist style hats. They are handmade in Florence using traditional millinery methods.

  

Rianna + Nina

Type: Vintage Fabrics

Rianna and Nina met at a vintage furniture fair in Berlin and have taken their love of vintage materials to the brand. They use repurposed vintage fabric in their collections and everything is crafted in Germany.

  

Richard Quinn

Type: Sustainable

The Richard Quinn label has expanded exponentially since Anna Wintour brought the Queen of England to his show, but sustainability is still a part of his studio. He uses digital printing which saves waste and water to make his signature patterns and plans to continue to produce locally.

  

Ryan Roche

Type: Sustainable

Sustainable Knitwear. Ryan Roche knitwear is produced with low impact production methods. She works with a women’s cooperative in Nepal and also produces some in the U.S. and Italy.

  

Sensi Studio

Type: Artisan

Ethically produced in Ecuador with locally sourced palm. The hats and bags are both produced by socially responsibly employed artisans.

  

Skin

Type: Sustainable

Loungewear and basics with an organic twist. Above all else, Skin is what is good for the skin- natural. So, Skin uses natural materials like organic cotton and pima cotton.

  

Sophie Anderson

Type: Artisan

Launched in 2011, Sophie Anderson has become known for her bright bags with cool patterns. She started working with traditional Wayyu artisans. After that, she expanded her range of craft to India, Peru, and Europe, and has started using new materials like crochet grass.

  

Sophie Hulme

Type: Sustainable

Known for the bucket bag, my favorite thing about the Sophie Hulme brand is the stunning colors and functionality. Sophie’s vegetable tanned leather is sourced from European tanneries. After that, the bags are produced in Hungary and Italy.

  

Staud

Type: Ethical

Popping colors and pretty pastels. Staud was launched in 2015 and is designed and produced in L.A. However, while they’ve been featured on many sustainable lists like YOOX, their transparency is lacking.

  

Stella McCartney

Type: Sustainable

Blazing the way for other luxury brands to embrace sustainability is Stella McCartney. From her Adidas collaboration to her kid’s lines and her ready wear. Therefore, I’m always really excited to see what Stella has to offer.

  

Summa

Type: Ethical

Back to the basics. Summa has a strict, edited color palette that will help women build a sustainable, long-lasting wardrobe. Her knitwear is sourced in Italy, tees come from Peru and denim is from L.A.

  

Su Paris

Type: Artisan

Gauzey comfortable, and luxurious beachwear is the name of the game at Su Paris. The fabrics are custom made in Anatolia or sourced in Italy. Every piece is unique and holds that special handcrafted touch.

  

Talitha

Type: Artisan

A brand that’s perfect for the nomad, in spirit or in real life. Talitha is made in partnership with Shon Randhawa, who employs local artisans in New Delhi and uses local craft traditions from the area for the Talitha collection.

  

Valextra

Type: Artisan

Classic and sophisticated, Valextra started in Milan in 1937. But, today it still holds those Milanese roots. The bags are produced in Italy with each bag being crafted by a single artisan from start to finish.

  

Veja

Type: Sustainable

Cult sneaker, that I’m sure you’ve seen before, Veja, has a Fair Trade certified factory in Brazil and they source organic cotton and fairly produced rubber. They are loved by celebrities (most recently Megan Markle and really everyone because they are pretty affordable.

  

Vika Gazinskaya

Type: Ethical

One of Russia’s leading sustainable designers, Vika Gazinskaya is cruelty-free and emphasizes natural materials. In addition to natural, she also sources from France and Japan and her designs focus on the feminine and geometric.

  

Vita Kin

Type: Artisan

Best known for her use of vyshyvanka, a traditional Ukrainian embroidery technique, Vita Kin has since expanded to include ancient artisanal craft from Peru and Morocco. But her atelier is still based in Kiev and employs a slow based approach to each design.

  

Vivienne Westwood/ Anglomania

Type: Ethical

Vivienne Westwood has been an eco-activist for a long time. She has collaborated with the Ethical Fashion Initiative to produce her “Handmade with Love” collection and also works with artisans in Burkina Faso to produce handwoven fabrics for her womenswear lines.

  

Waiwai

Type: Slow

Inspired by the handcraft in Bahia, Brazil, Leo Neves launched Waiwai in 2015. The bags are handmade in Rio and are slowly produced. Artisans sometimes can spend more than 3 hours crafting a single section.

  

Wolford

Type: Sustainable

Wolford is working hard to achieve Cradle to Cradle® certification by the end of 2018. Now, they have already released their first lingerie prototypes that are safe for the entire biological cycle.

  

Zandra Rhodes

Type: Ethical

After the Rana Plaza disaster, Zandra Rhodes collaborated with Safia Minney of People Tree to start ethically employing Bangladeshi workers for her collections. This edit is from her archive and is made in her studio in London.

  

Zazi Vintage

Type: Vintage Fabrics

Vintage fabrics with a socially conscious edge. Founded Jeanne Zizi Margot de Kroon. Zazi Vintage works with artisan women in rural communities, giving them fair wages and helping with their education. Plus, they produce beautiful coats from vintage fabric from the 1970’s.

  

Zeus + Dione

Type: Artisan

Handmade by traditional artisans in Greece. This label pays homage to the handcrafting traditions of the Islands. For example, they fill their designs with traditional needlework and natural cotton.

  

Exit mobile version