Championing Eco-Conscious Style: Exploring Sustainable Fashion Brands

Deciphering which brands truly commit to sustainable and slow fashion can pose a challenge. Despite many brands claiming to distance themselves from the wasteful and unethical practices of fast fashion, only a few genuinely succeed.

It's evident that many brands committed to sustainability and ethical standards provide products that come at a higher price. The commonly perceived notion of sustainable fashion being expensive often discourages consumers. Nonetheless, some brands provide excellent quality at more affordable prices than their competitors.

Below, you'll find a curated list of fashion brands–prioritizing sustainability and striving for a brighter future–that offer products of comparable quality to their competitors but at more accessible prices.

Almina Concept // IG: @almina_concept

Founded by Angela Gahng, Almina Concept bridges the gap between elevated design and accessibility. By collaborating with local mom-and-pop factories in South Korea, Angela ensures that the brand's minimalist aesthetic is brought to fruition with care and authenticity.

Boyish Jeans // IG: @boyishjeans

Boyish Jeans, founded by California native Jordan Nodarse, stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation in women's denim. With roots in design cultivated at Reformation, Nodarse was drawn to denim yet distressed by its environmental toll. Motivated by revelations of supply chain waste, he set out to challenge industry norms and champion sustainability. Operating from Los Angeles, Boyish Jeans strives for zero-waste manufacturing, advocating for a paradigm shift across the industry. Utilizing non-toxic dyes and gentle processes, the brand safeguards water sources, prioritizing both people and the environment.

Gimagaus // IG: @gimagaus

Established in 2018 by twins Claudia and Sayana Durany, Gimaguas embodies the essence of their hometown, Barcelona, infusing each piece with a narrative drawn from their global interactions. With a commitment to sustainability, Gimaguas crafts its vibrant designs using eco-conscious materials, from wool to linens, championing a lasting impact on the fashion industry. Through their playful yet purposeful approach, Claudia and Sayana aspire to cultivate a timeless brand that resonates with conscientious consumers worldwide.

KOTN // IG: @kotn

Ben and Mackenzie Sehl, along with their co-founder Rami Helali, established KOTN as a brand dedicated to crafting sustainable, high-quality cotton basics at an affordable price. Their vision extends beyond mere commerce; they seek to uplift the lives of those involved in the cotton production process in Egypt's Nile Delta, from farmers to factory owners. Recognizing traceability as a means of fostering communication and enhancing infrastructure, they delved deep into understanding Egyptian cotton's journey from field to fabric. This journey revealed to KOTN the crucial significance of traceability in ensuring accountability and genuine care for the impact of their products. Through meticulous attention to detail, including DNA testing of fibers and third-party audits, KOTN strives to set new standards in sustainability, ethics, and safety, all while aiming to become a staple in every customer's wardrobe.

Lisa Says Gauh // IG: @lisasaysgah

Lisa Says Gah, founded by Lisa Bühler, is a pioneering e-commerce brand championing slow fashion and sustainability. In a world dominated by fast-fashion, it provides a haven for industry artists, prioritizing ethical production and high-quality materials. By partnering with designers committed to sustainability, the brand offers customers truly special pieces while minimizing its environmental impact through the use of natural fabrics and recycling initiatives. Lisa Says Gah extends beyond fashion; its website serves as a multifaceted platform, blending e-commerce with inspiration and insightful interviews, all in service of highlighting female designers employing ethical production methods.

Marcella NYC // IG: @marcellanyc

Marcella NYC, co-founded by Siyana and Andy Huszar, is committed to revolutionizing the ethical landscape of the fashion industry, concentrating on empowering women and girls worldwide. With a focus on democratizing design, social impact, ethical production, and sustainability, the brand’s mission revolves around "Design that matters." Siyana's personal journey, from desiring a New Yorker's style to realizing the need for affordability and sustainability, inspired Marcella NYC's beginnings, marked by the incorporation of lower-impact materials like organic cotton and conscious production practices aimed at minimizing waste.

Mod Ref // IG: @modrefclothing

Founded by Andrew Kim, Mod Ref embraces the ethos of slow fashion, emphasizing Respect, Equality, and Freedom as its core values. With transparent pricing, Mod Ref ensures that customers understand the true cost of production, prioritizing affordability while also valuing fair compensation for all involved in the creation process. Customers are rewarded with a 5% discount when they BYOT (bring your own tote) or choose to forgo a brown paper bag while shopping in-store, highlighting the brand's commitment to sustainability.

MUD Jeans // IG: @mudjeans

Bert van Son, the founder and CEO of MUD Jeans, spearheads a fast-growing sustainable denim company hailing from the Netherlands. Through MUD Jeans, customers can indulge in guilt-free shopping experiences while championing environmental causes and staying at the forefront of fashion trends. Recognized as the world's pioneer circular denim brand, MUD Jeans prioritizes circular economy principles to minimize its ecological impact. With a dedication to innovative circular design, Bert van Son aims to revolutionize the fashion industry by addressing its significant environmental and social challenges, offering high-quality garments devoid of harmful practices.

Nudie Jeans // @nudiejeans

Maria Erixon, alongside her then-husband Joakim Levin, founded Nudie Jeans in 2001 with a vision beyond simple denim sales. They aimed to integrate jeans into customers' lives for the long haul, embracing a wear-and-tear philosophy. Nudie Jeans prioritizes transparency in production, advocating for open disclosure from cotton fields to packaging to foster trust and improve supply chain conditions. Committed to sustainability, the brand supports fair wages, chemical safety, and water conservation, actively participating in initiatives like the Fair Wear Foundation and prioritizing suppliers with efficient wastewater systems to safeguard ecosystems.

Peachy Den // IG: @peachyden

Isabella Weatherby founded Peachy Den to meet her own wardrobe needs, but it was the enthusiastic response from her friends that prompted her to officially launch the label and put both friendship and fashion at the forefront of her business. More than 60% of Peachy Den’s current collection is crafted from certified sustainable materials, with the remainder sourced from UK dead-stock or stock fabrics through local manufacturers. Committed to mindful production, Peachy Den prioritizes collaboration with top European suppliers, ensuring ethical practices, fair trade, and environmental standards. With a zero-waste policy, leftover fabrics are repurposed into scrunchies, while imperfect garments find new homes through Instagram or Depop sales. Peachy Den maintains transparency and traceability in its supply chain, promoting a sustainable fashion ethos.

Untitled in Motion // @untitledinmotion

Untitled in Motion, a collaborative endeavor between Marika Kandelaki and Virginia Craddock, continually evolves with a sustainable ethos at its core. Partnering with eco-conscious fabric suppliers, the first drop showcases Tencel LUXE, a luxurious yet eco-friendly alternative to silk derived from renewable plant resources. While exploring future fabrications, the focus remains on fair labor practices, ensuring artisans receive equitable wages and work reasonable hours. The brand's craftsmanship highlights the commitment to quality, supported by transparent management practices and regular factory audits. Packaging reflects this dedication, utilizing 100% recycled or biodegradable materials. Ultimately, Untitled in Motion champions sustainability not just in materials, but in fostering a lasting love for one's wardrobe, advocating for mindful consumption and style reinvention.