February 12, 2018
London Calling for These 10 Sustainable Brands and Eco-Friendly Shops
English designers are well known for leading the fashion rebellion in the punk era. Now get to know these new crop of rebel designers brands fighting the climate crisis. (updated Dec 8,2019)
VIN + OMI are award winning fashion and multi media designers who work internationally in film, television, music and one-off creations. They produce two fashion collections each year and have developed a range of unique to market textiles focussing on sustainable, eco-processes.
Their work includes the development of a range of rPET textiles made from salvaged plastic from community clean up projects worldwide. Work in development includes pioneering textiles made from UK organic sources.
An avant-garde designer, graduated at Central Saint Martins in 2016. After studying a BA in fashion and womenswear print from 2010-2014, he went on to accomplish a Master of Arts in Fashion – graduating with distinction in 2016 and creating his eponymous brand soon after.
He is the first ever designer to be awarded the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
Quinn’s creations are definitely original, with his signature looks often consisting of bold floral garments, which come complete with face masks.
In 2017 he won the H&M Design Award for his creative and ethical designs, beating more than 500 applicants from 40 different schools around the world for the title. He went on to invest it in a digital printing workshop, which uses 70% less water and 80% less energy than traditional techniques as well as allowing him to produce fabrics in the precise quantities he needs and thus eliminating waste.
Subsequently, he released a collection in collaboration with H&M inspired by 1960s upholstery.
His abstract floral designs often include reworked prints by iconic British department store, Liberty – the designer even held his debut catwalk show there last season.
Le Kilt is a fashion brand that creates traditional classic pieces inspired by founder, Samantha McCoach’s Scottish heritage. Using small-scale manufacturers from across the UK, Le Kilt aims to act as a proponent of sustainability and to introduce traditional craftsmanship to a modern audience. Founded in 2014, Le Kilt’s began as a single kilt style made by Samantha’s Italian grandmother, a former kilt maker who worked on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for over 40 years. The importance of family and tradition is something that is integral to the brand, and is something that we continue to recreate through our network of manufacturers, suppliers and collaborators – our ‘Family Tree’. Creating opportunity allows others to grow and therefore for us to work together to safeguard the future of our shared heritage.
Marine Serre launched her first collection in 2017, after working at Marginal, McQueen, Dior and Balenciaga: A Radical Call for Love, a response to the political climate post-Paris and Brussels attack.
She has a ecofuturist line with base material strictly from end-of-cycle product.
RIYKA (b.2011, London) is the creation of Rebecca & Vedran husband and wife. Inspired by the cultural variety and ethnic diversity of East London. Each RIYKA collection is a focused edit of easy basics including slouchy jumpers, over sized dresses boyfriend shirts and tees which all carry the brands signature geometric paneling and vibrant pops of color.
FABRICS
They source fabrics that have minimal impact on the environment or the people making them, they always ask suppliers how and where the materials are made and use- end of roll, GOTS certified organic, fair-trade, British made or reclaimed.
DESIGN
They have a ‘slow’ approach to fashion, their collections are small and pieces are timeless, of high quality and aimed to last a very long time.
ZERO WASTE
All studio waste is recycled, and fabric waste is sent to be up-cycled with different charities twice a year to avoid landfill.
People Tree purchases the majority of its Fair Trade products from marginalized producer groups in the developing world.
They also guarantee most of our purchasing is committed to the World Fair Trade Organization and Fair Trade standards with a priority to support producer partners’ efforts towards economic independence and control over their local environment and community.
WHAT DOES IT MEANS TO BE CERTIFIED?
People Tree is proud to work with certified producers and their supply chains from the raw material to the finished fabric and garment. To be certified means that our textile products have been produced in factories adhering to strict environmental and social standards. Certification organizations are responsible for ensuring that these standards are followed and respected. If a brand or producer is certified, it ensures that they are environmentally friendly and social responsible.
The Acey is a virtual place for real women to discover and purchase contemporary clothing, consciously created. They work with brands that embody two simple qualities: integrity and innovation. Here is how they define them: Innovation Brands that strive for ingenuity both in terms of fashion and ethical business practice.Integrity Brands that are conscious of their outlay on the environment throughout the production chain. Companies that care about the people behind their products, insisting on fair labour practices and encouraging social entrepreneurship.
The brand has always focused on sustainable practice embracing Katie’s Granny’s vision of making something beautiful from nothing and consciously addressing issues of over-consumerism. It creates wearable, artisanal collections that are big on colour and texture. But more than just creating beautiful garments, the brand creates playful experiences that encourage and champion social and environmental change. By running and participating in a wide range of workshops and events Katie wants people to interact and engage with the brand, sharing her skills and knowledge on textile crafts and sustainable Fashion. Along with a range of pieces that will have patterns available in the New Year, Katie is expanding her range of workshops as launching The Great Make Escape. The Great Make Escape is a residential weekend retreat run by Katie and her Mum Annie.
” As textile and product designers, we have always been fascinated by the relationship between form and function. Together with our love for salvaging vintage items and surplus fabrics, we set about designing and making bags that were antidotes to the throwaway, fast-fashion culture. For those who prefer to buy less, but choose well. For those who seek luxury in the sustainable, long-lasting and handmade. So from the first ever tote bags and holdalls we crafted from salvaged jute coffee sacks and sailcloth, our core values continue to guide us as we vision, design and craft from our North London studio and workshop. Today, our house style has evolved to blend the robustness and timelessness of traditional English saddlery with a modern minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic. When it comes to brand detailing, we favour the understated. It also explains our devotion to natural materials for their character and non-polluting effects; from surplus organic cottons, linens and wools to vegetable tanned leather, we take great care in sourcing the best material from local artisans and suppliers around the UK and Europe. When you get up close to a Lost Property of London bag, it is our hope that you see and feel the maker in its craft. Because every bag is cut, skived, riveted, sewn, edge-dyed, buffed, checked and finished by the skilled hands of the craftsmen and women who make it. “
Katy Bell & John Maskell | The Founders
Situated amongst the bustle of Broadway market, in the heart of Hackney, 69b Boutique offers a tightly edited selection of directional womenswear, emerging sustainable designers and accessories. A must visit to see how ‘green’ fashion has come since the days of sludgy hemp and hessian.
When you shop at 69b you can be certain that your purchase has been made in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
They have a strict policy on transparency and accountability that all of our brands must adhere to.
69b Broadway Market
London E8 4PH
+44 (0)20 7249 9655
hello@69bBoutique.com
