Sustainable fashion for every occasion: 6 stylish, eco-friendly brands to look out for

New technologies in recycling, sourcing and fabric manufacturing are pushing the boundaries of what can be made in the fashion world, and these are some of the brands we’re looking to for next year

As consumers continue to grow more aware about the lasting effects of unsustainable living, many feel that it’s imperative to change their habits to lessen or improve their impact on the environment. More individuals and businesses want to change that notion by innovating long term solutions to change the future of fashion and accessory production.

While some are focused on developing sustainable fabrics from unique materials, others are implementing more circular production methods to reduce waste, and these are six environmentally conscious brands we’re looking to shop from in 2023, from activewear to luxury footwear.

1. Unspun

Above Unspun's bootcut jeans in action (Photo: Courtesy of Unspun)

Finding the right pair of jeans can be a challenge, whether it’s because you can’t find the right fit or are reluctant to add to the waste caused by the denim industry. However, Walden Lam, co-founder of denim label Unspun, offers a solution: custom-made denims made from sustainable materials and crafted using 3D body scanning technology so that it’s perfectly fitted to you.

Be it straight-leg, bootcut or baggy jeans, using measurements and custom details per customer ultimately minimises fabric waste during production. Unspun also aims to lessen their impact on the environment by using materials certified by Bluesign, which guarantees that the products are harmless to the human environment and by opting for closed-loop water recycling and nano-filtration post-dying to reduce water waste.

2. Fullup

Above The Infinity sneaker in Slate (Photo: Courtesy of Fullup)

Above The Infinity sneaker in Red Oak (Photo: Courtesy of Fullup)

This Hong Kong-based eco-conscious sneakers brand uses ten discarded plastic water bottles from waterways and landfills to make each pair of its Infinity shoes. The brand emphasises on ethical production at every step, such as increasing traceability to 100 per cent by making use of only five materials and utilising 90 per cent recycled materials in each pair of sneakers. Made of recycled polyester yarn spun out of plastic bottles with patented durable soles, the shoes are perfect for those who like maximum comfort with minimalistic chic.

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3. Seadon

Above (Photo: Instagram/@seadon.co)

Carson Leong brings his love of nature to eco-friendly outdoor clothing brand Seadon. A carbon-neutral label, its mission is to produce sustainable clothing that’s not only comfortable to the wearer during their adventures, but also mindful of both land and sea environments. So, their pieces, which range from t-shirts and tank tops to trousers and tote bags in easy-to-pair colours, are made from recycled nylon made from discarded fish nets and recycled polyester derived from thrown-away plastic bottles. What’s more, the company donates 1 per cent of its product sales to non-profit organisations that work for environment conservation.

4. Jia de Lara

Above The April shoe in Anemone (Photo: Courtesy of Jia de Lara)

Elegant high heels get an environmentally friendly makeover at luxury shoe brand Jia de Lara. With a background in environmental policy, founder Larissa Hoehl wanted to design beautiful yet sustainable shoes, specifically sans synthetic materials and with waste-eliminating practices.

Hoehl draws inspiration from nature for her designs; the latest Oceanic collection uses recycled fish skins from Iceland’s food industry to create an iridescent, light-shifting scale print. All of Jia de Lara’s products are made from recycled Italian leather from traceable sources, and 90 per cent of all materials used are recycled by-products from other industries, which reduces carbon emission during manufacture.

5. Ivy Kirk

Above (Photo: Courtesy of Ivy Kirk)

Ivy Kirk founded her namesake brand to marry sustainability with luxury. Her creations can be worn in vastly different settings, from a black-tie gala to the beach. The frilly and fanciful items include tops, skirts and dresses that can be layered or worn on their own, and feature prints that blend vintage and modern elements.

This “ease of wear” mindset is eco-conscious due to its versality—reducing the number of outfits you need for different occasions—but Kirk takes it further by sourcing natural, recycled and deadstock materials from ethical fabric mills that can be traced, offering made-to-order collections and producing pieces locally in New York.

6. Kibo

Above Kibo's apple leather shoes in both colourways (Photo: Courtesy of Kibo)

Back in October, eco-conscious footwear brand Kibo released its first trainer made from apple leather, a sustainable biomaterial made from apple pomace—a by-product from the juicing industry. The process utilises waste from around 15 apples per pair of shoes, which results in 20 times less carbon emissions than using cow leather and three times less than synthetic materials.

Currently available in two colours, beige and green apple, the shoes combine apple leather with recycled mesh, made from plastic bottles, for breathability, while the soles make use of recycled rubber for durability. Multiple aspects of this shoe design align with Kibo and founder Natalie Chow’s ethos of being “kind to the planet and kind to your feet”. A portion of the sales proceeds from each pair is donated to Compassion First, a non-profit organisation working to aid victims of human trafficking in Indonesia.

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