It’s the end of the year. For many of us that means a flurry of work and social engagements before taking a week or so to relax and recharge with friends and family. Here to help with your sartorial decisions is our final drop of ethical brands for 2018, featuring everything from artisanal luxury evening wear to super-natural organic basics. See you in 2019!
December’s Best Newly Rated Brands
FH Christensen
FH Christensen designs cocktail and evening wear that mixes exotic lavishness with elegant professionalism. The brand uses low-waste cutting techniques to minimise textile waste, and manufactures all products locally to reduce its carbon footprint. FH Christensen also traces most of its supply chain!
A_C
Born out of a love for design and a commitment to the Earth, A_C's design principles are based on a circular economy, producing contemporary but timeless bags and accessories. The Australian brand uses an amazing eco-fabric, cactus leather AKA Desserto Pelle. Its entire product range is vegan, and its use of eco-friendly materials limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production.
VAUDE
Vaude is a European family-run outdoor wear brand. It sustainably produces clothes and materials for the outdoors, using eco-friendly materials, like recycled fabrics. It is also a member of the Fair Wear Foundation and has a Code of Conduct that covers all of the ILO Four Fundamental Freedom principles. Find the range in 2XS-4XL.
The Blue Suit
Fully certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) organic cotton, the Blue Suit designs denim luxury items to make you shine. The brand reduces its impact by manufacturing locally and uses low impact non-toxic dyes in all of its products.
Monsoon Blooms
Following the wisdom of Ayurveda, Monsoon Blooms creates Fairtrade International-certified organic cotton underwear and basics, naturally dyed with plants. It does not use any animal products and makes its product by hand to reduce its climate impact. Find sizes S-L.
Other New brands:
Sadly, not all the brands we looked at achieved a ‘Good’ or ‘Great’ rating. Here are some more brands you requested that rated ‘Not Good Enough’ and that still have more work to do:
- Eastpak – It’s A Start
- JanSport – It’s A Start
- Lee – It’s A Start
- Vans – It’s A Start
- Timberland – It’s A Start
- The North Face – It’s A Start
- Wrangler – It’s A Start
Don’t forget, you can nominate brands for us to rate using the ‘suggest brand’ button on the app. The more nominations a brand gets, the faster it will be rated.
Editor's note
Feature image via Ahimsa Collective. All other images via brands mentioned.
