The Repurposing Life

Alabama Chanin

Alabama Chanin, a line of cotton clothing produced almost entirely in Florence, Ala., these garments are both environmentally sustainable and humane, though with a revenue of just over $3 million last year, the 30–person company is no replacement for mass production when it comes to dressing seven billion people.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney has long been committed to sustainable practices, in her own business. As the head designer at Chloé in the late 1990s, she has refused to include leather or fur in her collections, using only “reclaimed” cashmere, refusing to use polyvinyl chloride or untraceable rayon.

Chloe

Whimsy + Row

Whimsy + Row, based in Los Angeles, California, this brand makes truly affordable ethical fashion that looks great. By limiting each garment to short runs, this brand utilizes deadstock fabric, reduces packaging waste and conserves precious water resources.

OhSevenDays

OhSevenDays was started by Australian–Canadian Megam Mummery to promote slow fashion. Based in Istanbul, the brand reclaims end–of–roll fabrics from the city’s garment factories and creates elegant, everyday womenswear that’s as stylish as it is ethical. Basically, they make slow fashion from fast fashion’s “leftovers.”

Outland Denim

Outland Denim makes premium denim jeans and offers ethical employment opportunities for women rescued from human trafficking in Cambodia.

Tentree

Tentree is a lifestyle apparel company that plants ten trees for every item purchased. The brand uses a high ratio of sustainable materials including 100% organic cotton. It uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its environmental impact.

Funky Kalakar

Funky Kalakar brings alive the stories of ancient craft in the form of contemporary designs by handcrafting them using natural materials. Circularity is one of the pillars upon which the brand was founded. Their production process actively rejects the damaging model of fast fashion.

Beya Made

Beya Made is a collection of expandable clothing for babies & toddlers that grows with your child. Their fabrics are sustainably salvaged from other manufacturers who have milled more than they need, or they contain slight imperfections. Basically, they rescue perfectly good rolls of fabric from a landfill. They use mostly linen, which is naturally sustainable in that it requires virtually no pesticides and thrives on rainfall–no need for irrigation. Linen is also strong (holds up well to wear and tear), and stains can be scrubbed out easily. Their pieces are made to be expandable, can be worn all year round, and are gender neutral.

Made Trade

Made Trade is a woman–owned, family–run small business created in 2018. It aims for higher ethical standards by putting artistry above efficiency, fair wages above profits, sustainability above mass production, quality craftsmanship above mindless consumption, and transparency above everything.

Each piece has been responsibly sourced, and expertly handcrafted with sustainable materials. The makers and artisans are paid fair wages. Every order is 100% carbon neutral, 1% of every purchase is donated to an environmental non–profit, and every product must adhere to at least two of their eight core values: Fair Trade, Handcrafted, Made in USA, BIPOC Owned, Sustainable Materials, Recycled/Upcycled, Vegan, and Women Owned.

Tamga Designs

Tamga Designs began in 2014 while the founders were living in Dhaka, Bangladesh, after the Rana Plaza collapse. They began creating quality clothing from sustainable materials, with dignified worker conditions throughout the process. The brand’s signatures are hand–drawn prints and vibrant colors. Their garments are designed to be feminine and free–flowing. The brand is committed to protecting the broad biodiversity of Indonesia’s endangered rainforests.

Neu Nomads

Neu Nomads 30+ years in the industry reimagined what it means to be a fashion brand in a time of global awareness and environmental consciousness. The two founders applied this knowledge to a forward–thinking business model that aligned with their ideal of creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Beautiful wardrobe staples at attainable price points sourced from a clean supply chain. With this vision in mind, they created a collection for women: global citizens, modern minimalists and conscious consumers.

Everlane

Everlane is often hailed for its transparent supply chain, but the recent news that the company’s customer service team is unionizing reveals that even purportedly virtuous brands can have their shortfalls.

The RealReal

The RealReal, an online marketplace for secondhand designer clothing, informs customers about the environmental costs that will be avoided or offset by buying each used item. Still, the company, which claims to authenticate every designer item, has been repeatedly accused of selling fakes. It’s never been harder–or more crucial–to be an informed fashion consumer.