Saturday, July 19, 2014

Change Clothes

It's time to change clothes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6G1uwe20wg

How they're made, that is.

Lately, I've been getting targeted with tons of Facebook ads for socially responsible fashion ecommerce sites. It makes me happy to see eco-fashion on the rise as the fashion industry realizes that cheap, mass-produced clothing made abroad by insufficiently paid workers is both unethical and unsustainable. Recent tragic events in developing countries have highlighted the unsafe working conditions of low-cost labor abroad and the need for change. In response, fashion brands as big as Stella McCartney have come out with lines focused on sustainability and ethical manufacturing.

The web is an integral part of the eco-fashion movement as ecommerce allows for 1) the curation of ethically-made, non- mass produced merchandise without the  shelving fees merchants incur at brick & mortar stores 2) exposure to a worldwide consumer audience.

Below I've curated my own favorite sites dedicated to eco-fashion, and picked out a few of my favorite items from each. Check it out.




ACCOMPANY

This company curates some beautiful pieces that are very affordable. Clothing and accessories curated by Accompany meet at least one of these three standards: Artisan Made, Fair Trace, or Philanthropic.


About: "We scour the globe for the coolest, most beautiful and one-of-a-kind finds, and filter them through a range of style lenses— to create unique boutiques that contain both an eclectic mix of cultures and a well-edited point of view. Each and every piece we pick has a story behind it, and embodies exemplary design. Handmade pieces and ethically sourced items, that bring human impact and fashion impact together to create feel-good goods through a look-good lens."

Designers: See a list & map of ACCOMPANY's worldwide partners here.

Favorite <$100 Products:

Bardot Striped Scarf | Faire Collection ($39)


Handmade by artisans in Vietnam.


Accompany - Bardot Striped Scarf

Cowl Neck Dress | Studio Jux ($76)


Made by artisans in Nepal.


Accompany - Cowlneck Dress

 

 House Shoes | Chilote ($62)


Chilote partners with female artisans in Chile.


Accompany - House Shoes


 

Color Block Diamond Drop Earrings | Burma Project ($29)


Burma Project helps women artisans in Rwanda, Ghana and Peru.


Accompany - earrings

Brest Sweater | Antik Batik ($74)


By Antik Batik, a collaboration of artisans in India, Bali and Peru.


Accompany - Brest Sweater




BISHOP COLLECTIVE

The Bishop Collective is a socially responsible company all about bringing manufacturing back to the USA. All designers curated here are US-based, many of them in New York City.

About: "The goal of Bishop Collective is to not only provide artistically designed and beautifully tailored garments, but to advocate for stronger corporate social responsibility among retailers- all while bringing manufacturing back to the States. Bishop Collective is redefining retail and redefining American made."

Designers: Imogene + Willie, Micaela Greg, Ali Golden and more.

Favorite <$100 Products:

Hammered Bangle Bracelet ($40) | In God We Trust


Bishop Collective - bracelet

 

Chevron Clutch Slate ($48) | KindredOAK


Bishop Collective - Kindred-Oak-Chevron-Clutch-Grey-1-82x105

#40 T-Shirt ($68) | Skargorn


Bishop Collective - striped tee

 

Alpaca Slouch Hat ($29) | State the Label


Natural fibers are organic and domestically milled from small, American farms and are designed and assembled in New York.


Bishop Collective -State-Hat-Natural-82x105







AHALIFE

About: "AHAlife believes the essence of an exceptional onject is the story behind it - the people, creative process and inspiration."


Designers: Moore & Giles, Ketzali, Swoop Bags and more.


Favorite <$100 Products:


SHASHI Classic Cool Feet Grip Socks ($15)


aha;ife - socks

 

 Moon Necklace | Brave Collection ($75)


ahalife-brave collective

 Zip Clutch ($45) | Elliot NYC


Made in America and can fit tablet devices.


ahalife-clutch

 

Seamless Brazilian Cut Thong Set ($44) | Empowered By You


20% of net profits from every sale helps provide micro-loans to women in developing economies.


ahalife-thongs




PEOPLE TREE

Based in the UK, People Tree is all about bringing Fair Trade to the developing world. Currently, they're running a 60% off Sale on their Womens Collection.  Learn more about the company's involvement in Fair Trade on their blog, The Thread.


About: "For over twenty years, People Tree has partnered with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce a collection of ethical and eco fashion. Fair Trade is about creating a new way of doing business, creating access to markets and opportunities for people who live in the developing world.


Designers: Peter Jensen, Orla Kiley, Zandra Rhodes and more.




Favorite <$100 Products:


Gina Shirt | Kumudini (£54.60)


Made by Kumudini, a social business in Bangladesh.


People Tree - polka dot

Cosy Hoody | Assisi Garments (£38.00)


Made by Assisi Garments, a social enterprise comprised of artisans in India who transform Fair Trade and organic cotton into handmade garments.


People Tree - Hoodie

 

Orla Kiely Monochrome Skirt | CAOS (£47.60)


Made by CAOS, a socially responsible business based in India.


People Tree - Skirt

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