A true sign of sustainability becoming a more than a momentary trend is when big online platforms like Net-a-Porter start to offer a dedicated yet small ”organic” selection. The trend almost turns into a movement when smaller multi-brand online stores pop up, which offer curated selections from sustainable brands.
However, the criteria on what is a sustainable brand vary a lot between the various platforms. While some of the stores let you filter by keywords like ‘organic’, or ‘recycled’, thus exposing their criteria for sustainability, some have a more inclusive yet fuzzy approach. In any case, all these new online stores are great to explore sustainable brands and offer new viewpoints on what sustainability can be about.
Frugi
This playful brand specializes in children’s (up to ten years old) and maternity clothing – with splashes of colour and genius pattern. But best of all are the materials used which are soft and lovely to wear.
Global Organic Textile Standard certified Frugi clothing feels like quality from the moment you touch it. Each piece is built to last. These pyjamas which can be matched with a parent and are so soft on the skin, promising a peaceful night’s sleep.
Gather and See
Gather&See is an award-winning online ethical fashion retailer. Launched in 2014 by Alicia Taylor and Stephanie Hogg, Gather&See offers a curated selection of cutting edge sustainable fashion labels to a fashion-savvy, ethically minded customer.
Gather&See was born out of a desire to find beautiful, stylish ethical fashion brands that protect people and planet and don’t compromise on style.
Palava Clothing
Starting out in a shop in Yarm on Tees nears Middlesborough in 1854, Palava has gone from making children’s bedlinen to women’s clothing collections (sizes range from 12 to 28), homewares, jewellery, clothing for kids and much more.
The lifestyle brand focuses on creating items full of humour, fun and creativity, and also takes an ethical approach to manufacturing to ensure customers know that anything they buy with a Palava label is making a positive impact on the environment.
All clothing is made in a small factory just outside of London and the knitwear is spun and made in Turkey. Any excess fabric is transformed into accessories or sold in fabric bundles to crafters, stylists and home sewists, so nothing gets sent to landfill.
The brand has also made moves to become plastic-free and will be rolling out new garment bags made from a bio-based resin that is 100 per cent biodegradable.
Komodo
For some 30 years, Komodo has been in operation, offering 100 per cent vegan and eco-friendly clothing which manages to be both affordable and stylish. Komodo is Soil Association & GOTS certified. It rejects ‘fast fashion’ and the company trade fairly with factories all over the world.
The menswear is awesome – check out the Carl sweater – but this two-tone geometric print jumper, made from 100 percent cotton, is cozy enough to ward off the winter chill but still offers a slim silhouette.