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How ethical is VRG GRL laid over someone in a red dress.
19 Oct
How ethical is VRG GRL laid over someone in a red dress.

How Ethical Is VRG GRL?

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VRG GRL is “passionate about fashion and freedom”, but it rates “We Avoid” for its lack of transparency and action for people, the planet, and animals. This article is based on the VRG GRL rating published in August 2022.

Endless summer, questionable sustainability

VRG GRL, also known as Verge Girl, was founded by Australian sisters Natalia Suesskow and Daniella Dionyssiou in 2007, and is now a multi-million dollar global success. The direct-to-consumer online business aims to provide style-driven affordability with pieces that won’t break the bank, and has gained popularity with young shoppers in recent years on TikTok and Instagram with 1.5m combined followers.

As we all know, low prices come at a cost to someone. The brand has one of the lowest ratings in our methodology and is not doing enough to limit its impact on people, the planet, and animals, despite being “passionate about fashion and freedom”. Let’s take a look and answer: how ethical is VRG GRL?

Verge Girl or Vague Girl?

In our “How Ethical Is” series, we usually have a closer look at a brand’s rating and break it down so that you know more about how the brand is performing across the three key areas of environmental impact, labour conditions, and animal welfare.

Unfortunately, for VRG GRL, there isn’t much to say. Our team scoured the brand’s website, but VRG GRL provides insufficient relevant information about how it reduces its impact on people, the planet, and animals. This means that, at the time of writing, there isn’t enough information for us to dig deeper into the brand’s practices.

Overall, the brand is rated “We Avoid” for its lack of transparency. As a shopper, you have the right to know how VRG GRL’s production practices impact the world and its inhabitants.

VRG GRL should start disclosing more information about how, where, and by whom its items are produced, as well as the materials used. Transparency is crucial to ethical and sustainable fashion and is the first step towards reducing a business’ impact.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Love the cool, summery looks of VRG GRL but want better brands to support? We’ve rounded up some alternatives that might meet your needs. Also check out our Y2K article for more inspo.

Good swaps

“Good and “Great” alternatives to VRG GRL

CHNGE

Rated: Good

CHNGE is a US-based more sustainable fashion brand using 100% organic material, built to last a lifetime while making a statement.

Find CHNGE's inclusive clothes in sizes 2XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop CHNGE.

Afends

Rated: Good
Someone on roof wearing clothes by Afends.

Born in Byron Bay, Australia, Afends is a more responsible brand leading the way in hemp fashion. Drawing inspiration from the environment, streetwear, and surf culture, Afends’ mission is to create more sustainable clothing through innovation, action, and positive change. As true hemp advocates, it purchased 100 acres of farmland called Sleepy Hollow to grow its own hemp crops and ignite the hemp revolution.

Find most of the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good

Whimsy + Row is a US-based lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and responsible practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern woman. Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, the brand also reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources.

Find most products in XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Luna + Sun

Rated: Good
person holding a baby wearing a hat, top and shorts, with a person in a loose, pink dress by Luna + Sun

Luna + Sun is an Australian, cruelty-free fashion line creating gorgeous feminine designs. Its factory is certified by Ethical Clothing Australia, and its products are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.

Find the clothes in AU sizes 6-18.

See the rating.

Shop Luna + Sun.

Vitamin A

Rated: Good
woman smiling on sand wearing sustainable swimwear by Vitamin A

Made locally in California, Vitamin A’s collections of swimwear and loungewear use a high proportion of lower-impact materials, including recycled nylon. The brand also uses a waterless process to print its designs with, reducing its chemical and water usage.

Find the pieces in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Vitamin A.

Culthread

Rated: Great

Culthread is a UK-based clothing label that offers stylish, practical, and everlasting jackets and accessories from vegan and deadstock materials. Culthread's goal is to make quality coats and lifestyle products that you will want to wear and treasure forever.

Find most items in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Culthread.

Shop Culthread @ Immaculate Vegan.

Editor's note

Feature image via Unsplash, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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