April (Earth Month) is the perfect time to reflect on our impact on the planet and take action towards a more sustainable future. With fashion being a major contributor to global waste and pollution, it's time to address the environmental and social costs of the industry. Did you know that the fashion industry alone accounts for 20% of global wastewater and nearly 10% of microplastics dispersed in the ocean each year come from textiles? The average American throws away 81.5lbs of clothes every year, adding up to a staggering 11.3 million tons of textile waste annually—around 2,150 pieces of clothing per second. Without major change to production processes and consumption patterns in fashion, the social and environmental costs of the sector will continue to mount.
But, there's hope. Many brands are taking steps towards a more sustainable future of fashion by implementing eco-friendly practices and initiatives to reduce waste, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Although the industry's supply chain and cost pressures make it challenging for brands to be completely transparent, making a conscious effort to shop from sustainable brands can shift consumer behavior towards more responsible fashion choices.
We've rounded up a few brands making strides towards a more environmentally conscious industry.
Apparis
Apparis embraces cruelty-free materials and vegan leather alternatives. Their faux fur accessories use leftover fabrics from outerwear production, and their products are released in small-batch drops to reduce overproduction and waste. By shopping from Apparis, you can indulge in stylish fashion without compromising your values. Read our interview with the founder and CEO, Amelie Brick: https://www.maudtheblog.com/post/interview-with-amelie-brick-co-founder-and-ceo-of-apparis
Shop: https://apparis.com/
Paloma Wool
Paloma Wool offers trendy clothing and accessories that are both beautiful and sustainable. They prioritize local production to ensure good working conditions and use low-impact dyes and sustainable fibers in their clothing. Their leather goods are handcrafted by a local, small family-owned business, adding a personal touch to each item.
Shop: https://palomawool.com/
House of Dagmar
House of Dagmar is a Swedish fashion brand founded by three sisters on three pillars: high-quality fabrics, high-quality production processes, and high-quality designs. They use organic cotton, biodegradable fibers, and recycled PET bottles in much of their clothing to reduce their environmental impact. Their website showcases a timeline of their sustainability goals, demonstrating their dedication to creating a more sustainable future through their fashion.
Pangaia
Pangaia is a brand that blends comfort and style with sustainability. Their loungewear and street-style clothing are made using eco-friendly materials and non-toxic dyes to reduce water waste. But it's not just their products that are sustainable; Pangaia's commitment to a more equitable community is evident on their website, where they share their sustainable approach and mission statements. And, with each product bearing a mission statement, you can wear their clothing proudly while shopping sustainably.
Shop: https://pangaia.com/
Frame
Frame, most known for their trendy denim, just recently launched their “most sustainable jean ever”–a biodegradable denim. Made with biodegradable cotton and removable metal buttons, these jeans can return to the earth after use. Frame is taking steps to reduce their environmental impact without compromising their signature style.
Shop: https://frame-store.com/
While individual brands are making strides in reducing the fashion industry’s environmental impact, it's clear that more significant changes must occur at a higher level. As Michael Stanley-Jones from the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion notes, the industry’s “urge to sell more and get consumers to buy more is still in the DNA of the industry.” Clothes have a short life span and often end up in landfills. Still, making conscious choices about the brands we support can be a small step towards enjoying fashion in a more sustainable way. Every little bit counts, and collectively, we can make a positive impact on the fashion industry and the planet.
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