Sustainable Luxury
In honor of Earth Day, I’d like to feature looks made solely from fashion houses who have committed to an earth conscious, sustainable approach to their production, sources and philosophies.
Stella McCartney is arguably the most notably ethical luxury brand. Since the launch of her house in 2001, she has offered sustainable cottons and cashmeres, recycled textiles, ethically sourced wool and vegan leather.
Rag and Bone is a founding partner in Cotton Inc’s Blue Jeans Go Green program, which encourages customers to recycle denim, offering a 20% discount on full price jeans from the brand. That denim is then transformed into insulation for homes and civic-minded buildings across the US.
Sandra Sandro is the creative mind behind Nanushka, a label from Budapest known for its use of vegan leather and eco-friendly and upcycled materials. Nanushka has implemented several sustainability initiatives that focus both on protecting the planet and creating a better working environment for its workers.
Vivienne Westwood has been quoted as saying, “Buy less, choose well, and make it last.” She has launched a collection of 100% organic clothing with People Tree with a goal of attracting attention to the deterioration of rainforests around the globe, and you will see messaging graphics throughout her collection calling for peace and for people to take action.
Last but not least, my friend Kimberly MacDonald creates breathtaking one of a kind jewelry pieces from natural materials, reclaimed gold and recycled diamonds. She is also an active and vocal animal rights activist.
If this pandemic has brought this world anything positive, it is the relief we are seeing in our global environment. As our air and waters clear and species come back from the brink of extinction, I think we will be seeing many designers joining this pack going forward. I for one cannot wait. ✌️🌷🌎