Phew! After reading a recent collection of articles concerning garment workers, I went through our list of ethical brands again with a slightly different perspective. I finally made it through the list + feel quite encouraged by this collection of ethical makers! It took me a while to get through the list, because:
a. there are SO many more ethical brands out there now than when I first began! (yay!)
b. there is so much good stuff being made by these brands that I was easily distracted!
Unfortunately, there were a few disappointments like:
-BackBeatCo moved some of their production to India
-Richer Poorer stopped using organic cotton + USA production
-Dusen Dusen moved production overseas
-Lacausa is making some of their clothing overseas
I really hate to call brands out like this, but thought I'd let you know in case one of these is a favorite of yours + you'd like to reach out to let them know what is important to you, your feelings +/or hopes.
On the other hand, there are brands realizing that their customers support ethical choices + moving toward making their offerings even more ethical! (happy, happy dance!!)
-Christy Dawn is working toward making regenerative cotton dresses in collaboration with cotton farmers in India
-Mate the Label shifted to making all of their product from organic cotton this year. They use cotton thread rather than polyester (making their garments completely biodegradable) + are working toward getting away from using even compostable product bags
-Imogene + Willie is now making all of their knits in-house in Nashville
-Industry of all Nations now offers repairs + re-dyeing
-Hackwith Design House seems to have moved to using all natural fibers
-Ecoalf is using pineapple "leather" in their footwear
Fantastically exciting, right!!? And those are just the advancements I noticed this go around. Many other brands continue their commitments to caring well for farmers, garment workers, the environment + customer!
There were a few brands that were removed from the list + a bunch that were updated. I tried to make note of the many brands manufacture within a few miles of their headquarters which means that it is much easier to keep an eye on production + to see to the well-being of the garment workers that make their clothing (exposing the reason for the prevalence of California based brands).
Brands respond to voices! Many brands extended their size range this year thanks to a number of women voicing their case for such. Bravo to speaking up + to the brands that listened + took action! Speak up! :) I think this has been the most exclamation point heavy post I've written...but this is what this whole thing is all about + it deserves celebration! Wish we could all jump up + down together! :)
Lovely images via links.
Love,
Jane
a. there are SO many more ethical brands out there now than when I first began! (yay!)
b. there is so much good stuff being made by these brands that I was easily distracted!
Unfortunately, there were a few disappointments like:
-BackBeatCo moved some of their production to India
-Richer Poorer stopped using organic cotton + USA production
-Dusen Dusen moved production overseas
-Lacausa is making some of their clothing overseas
I really hate to call brands out like this, but thought I'd let you know in case one of these is a favorite of yours + you'd like to reach out to let them know what is important to you, your feelings +/or hopes.
On the other hand, there are brands realizing that their customers support ethical choices + moving toward making their offerings even more ethical! (happy, happy dance!!)
-Christy Dawn is working toward making regenerative cotton dresses in collaboration with cotton farmers in India
-Mate the Label shifted to making all of their product from organic cotton this year. They use cotton thread rather than polyester (making their garments completely biodegradable) + are working toward getting away from using even compostable product bags
-Imogene + Willie is now making all of their knits in-house in Nashville
-Industry of all Nations now offers repairs + re-dyeing
-Hackwith Design House seems to have moved to using all natural fibers
-Ecoalf is using pineapple "leather" in their footwear
Fantastically exciting, right!!? And those are just the advancements I noticed this go around. Many other brands continue their commitments to caring well for farmers, garment workers, the environment + customer!
There were a few brands that were removed from the list + a bunch that were updated. I tried to make note of the many brands manufacture within a few miles of their headquarters which means that it is much easier to keep an eye on production + to see to the well-being of the garment workers that make their clothing (exposing the reason for the prevalence of California based brands).
Brands respond to voices! Many brands extended their size range this year thanks to a number of women voicing their case for such. Bravo to speaking up + to the brands that listened + took action! Speak up! :) I think this has been the most exclamation point heavy post I've written...but this is what this whole thing is all about + it deserves celebration! Wish we could all jump up + down together! :)
Lovely images via links.
Love,
Jane
