Sustainable fashion brands: You should have these 38 labels on your radar
For many people, conscious consumption has now become an important part of their lifestyle. What starts with food and in the bathroom extends to what we wear and what we expose to our bodies. Also topics such as sustainability,,as well as alternative consumption models such as, are things that concern the general public more and more. It is therefore hardly surprising that in recent years more and moresustainable fashion brandswere founded that focus on selling fair and environmentally friendly fashion pieces. Because, contrary to the very clichéd assumptions, they don’t always have to be boring or look “eco”.
On the contrary, there are now a large number of themsustainable fashion brandsthat make no compromises – neither in terms of design and trend factor nor in production conditions and materials. But see for yourself, here is a colorful selection of brands that are completely dedicated to this topic.
Is second-hand fashion sustainable?
In short: yes! In general, the longer the lifespan or wearing time of a piece of clothing, the better it is for the environment. By the way, second-hand fashion is only a good option if what you buy is actually wanted and needed. Buying for the sake of buying is never the point.
So what are the best places to go for second-hand fashion? In addition to vintage shops and second-hand shops in the city, there are online addresses likeMomox Fashion, which make it easy for everyone to sell pieces online and shop for themselves. There you can find over a million items from over 3,000 different brands - high street to high end. Everything is checked for quality before the “go” to purchase is given. The goal ofMomox Fashion, to keep already worn but still high-quality clothing in circulation and thus act more sustainably and better with our environment.
38 labels for sustainable clothing
Which fashion brands are sustainable? Which fashion brands produce fairly? We asked ourselves these and many other important questions when it comes to sustainable fashion brands, and these brands are the result.
The label:
Lovjoiis a sustainable fashion label from southern Germany that not only produces fairly, but also in an environmentally friendly way - from the first to the last step of production. It was founded in 2014 by Verena Benz, a former organic store owner, when she noticed a discrepancy in her life: her clothes from conventional stores were anything but sustainably produced. So she decided to do it herself! The brand attaches great importance to short supply chains and therefore produces primarily in Portugal. Jeans are manufactured in a GOTS-certified factory in Tunisia using state-of-the-art technologies to save as many resources as possible, including when washing.
The collection:
Tops, skirts, dresses and trousers: Lovjoi's range is wide. Materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton and Tencel are used. Only components from Germany are used. Since 2019, Lovjoi has also been running the sustainable underwear collection “Lovjoi Intimates” as well as its own denim collection, which produces jeans made from organic cotton in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
The label:
What started with self-knitted sweaters with oversized motifs for friends is now one of the top places to go for pieces made from cashmere, mohair and alpaca - founded by Maike Dietrich, who lives in Berlin. Maiami relies on high-quality materials and focuses on tradition and the value of handcraft. “We are sustainable in production. As a small boutique label, Maiami's ecological footprint is small," the founder tells us at a meeting in Berlin in autumn 2024. Hand knitting does not need a machine and produces almost no waste. "Basically, our standards are high, and we are “We are very aware of our responsibility in the area of social justice,” says Maike Dietrich, who is particularly interested in female empowerment. “Female empowerment is also important to us.” Two of our productions, one of them in Bosnia, for example. have the goal and purpose of supporting women to become self-sufficient and independent.”
The collection:
Maiami has everything in its range, from sweaters to cardigans to knitted coats. According to Maike Dietrich, the pieces are “modern, but not fashionable,” which makes them incredibly timeless and long-lasting. Whether as a key piece in the outfit in winter or as a layering option in spring or autumn, the high-quality knitwear works all year round.
The label:
Behind the British brandPangaiais a collective of scientists, engineers, artists and designers whose mission is to create fashion for a greener future. The label primarily relies on groundbreaking, innovative materials and dyeing methods as well as regenerative and circular systems. For example, Pangaia developed C-Fiber™, a bio-based fabric made from pulp and seaweed powder, and FLWRDWN™, an animal-friendly, warming alternative to down made from a combination of wildflowers, a biopolymer and airgel, used in the brand's jackets and vests . To reduce the fashion industry's over-reliance on cotton, Pangaia Lab also created the material FRUTFIBER™, which transforms food waste such as banana leaf fiber, pineapple leaf fiber and bamboo into a comfortable fabric.
The collection:
Pangaia's collection is primarily characterized by streetwear: oversized T-shirts, hoodies, jogging pants and tracksuits in bright colors are the label's trademark. It also offers activewear, outerwear and its own denim line, all of which impress with modern minimalism.
The label:
The sustainable streetwear label Thokk Thokk from Munich stands for striking, minimalist, energetic graphic design and a strong awareness of quality and the environment.
The collection:
From socks to hats, all Thokk Thokk clothing is vegan, organic and fair trade certified. Thokk Thokk is also the first fashion brand to use wild kapok fiber for the lining of its warm jackets, vests and parkas.
The label:
“Because there is no Planet B” is the motto of the Spanish label Ecoalf, which has been doing what many other brands are just now starting to do for around 15 years: making fashion out of garbage. "I was frustrated by the overuse of the world's natural resources and the amount of waste produced by developed countries. The aim was to create the first fashion range that achieved the same quality, modern design and technical advances using recycled materials the best non-recycled products," says founder Javier Goyeneche, describing the idea behind Ecoalf.
The collection:
Ecoalf offers outerwear, accessories and shoes for men and women. The sustainable design and reuse of raw materials is the idea behind everything: for example, sneakers are created that do not require any toxic glue and are made from recycled plastic bottles and plant fibers, flip-flops made from old car tires or a swimwear line made from recycled PET bottles , which are fished from the sea in Thailand.
The label:
To create a perfect swimsuit that combines style, sustainability and functionality – Mareen Burk started her label Mymarini with this aim. The result is a swimwear collection for surfers and everyone interested in water, style and environmental protection, which has now been expanded to include a ready-to-wear collection. The yarns and fabrics come from Germany and the fabrics from Italy - they are produced in Croatia.
The collection:
The highlight: All bikinis and swimsuits are reversible and therefore offer two designs in one. ECONYL® yarns, which are certified according to OEKO TEX Standard 100 and the Global Recycling Standard (GRS), are used for almost all models and most ready-to-wear styles. Since 2024, Mymarini has also been using fabrics made from LENZING™ ECOVERO™, a high-quality viscose fiber from Lenzing AG, for its ready-to-wear collection.
The label:
Dedicated – this is sustainable streetwear from Sweden. The label, founded in Stockholm in 2006, only uses 100% GOTS organic cotton for its collections. In addition, large parts of the collections are Fairtrade certified.
The collection:
T-shirts, sweaters, shirts, pants, shorts, hats – all with cool prints or sayings. For the creative designs, Dedicated works with various photographers, designers and artists who care about sustainability just as much as the Scandinavians.
The label:
Clean, fair, minimalist: The friends Anna and Jula founded their label Jan 'n June in 2014 for their own needs. “We have always loved fashion and trends, but could not reconcile the production conditions and environmental impact,” say the two. What sustainable fashion was available up to that point was either too expensive or simply not fashionable enough for the two of them - so they had to create their own brand. Today Jan 'n June combines sustainability, affordability and a high level of fashion. “Our heart beats particularly for recycled materials, such as polyamide from old fishing nets and garbage from the sea.” All of the Hamburg label's clothing items are produced in GOTS-certified factories in Portugal and in Poland by a small family business.
The collection:
The minimalist designs, whose product life cycle can be traced from start to finish, are supplemented by smaller capsule collections with influencers such as Lisa Banholzer and Tanja Trutschig from Rauwm, as well as the vegan leather alternative from the Hamburg label.
The label:
Anyone who likes cool retro T-shirts and sweaters with funny prints and slogans should definitely have Thinking Mu on their radar from now on. The label from Barcelona not only relies on organic cotton, natural colors and fair working conditions, but also regularly works with Spanish artists for its humorous designs.
The collection:
T-shirts with slogans like “Here comes the Sun” and “One Humanity” or eye-catching retro prints on sweaters and shorts. At Thinking Mu there is a lot to discover, from well-fitting jeans to statement pieces to cozy loungewear in bright colors.
The label:
“Cossac stands for sustainability and simplicity,” says Agatka Natalia Kozak, the woman behind the London label founded in 2014. With her versatile, sometimes tongue-in-cheek and provocative pieces of clothing, she wants to create “Eco-Hot Garments” – clothing that is not only sustainable but also stylish. The color palette is minimalistic with black and white, the cuts of jumpsuits and dresses are simple and always a bit sexy and the T-shirts have sayings or prints. “With my fashion I want a cool alternative to the high streetoffer,” says Agatka. One thing is particularly important to her: “You should just have fun with the clothes and feel good when you wear them – I’ll take care of the serious issues!” At Cossac, the theme of responsibility extends from the design to the distribution of the fashion: the raw materials used are fair trade, organic or recycled and production is limited to Europe.
The collection:
The collection is characterized by flowing silhouettes and light materials such as cupro. The boundaries between workwear and loungewear are blurred, it's all about luxurious comfort and elegant convenience - kept in a neutral color palette.
The label:
“We are not here to make fashion. We a re here to make change”, lautet das Motto vonArmedangels. The brand was founded in 2007 by two young students from Cologne with the aim of counteracting climate change and sustainably changing the fashion industry. The result is clothing made from organic materials, certified according to GOTS and Fair Wear Foundation standards, which was transparently produced under fair conditions and with the least possible damage to the planet. To ensure that the garments can be worn for a long time, the label also offers a professional repair service with original spare parts. Armedangels has recently started using artificial intelligence in collection planning: AI-controlled demand forecasts can reduce overproduction.
The collection:
Urban streetwear meets timeless basics - Armedangels' clothing looks minimalist and modern and therefore fits easily into any wardrobe. The label also offers an extensive jeans collection made from DetoxDenim, which is made without dangerous chemicals and with an increasing proportion of recycled cotton.
The label:
“Sustainability is not a lifestyle, it is absolutely necessary”: Anne and Hermann Kohnen have their label with this attitudeLanaFounded in Aachen 30 years ago - daughter Maria has now taken over the business and completely redefined the brand in 2017 - because unlike in the 80s, sustainability, trends and creative design are no longer mutually exclusive. The company is GOTS certified, many pieces bear the “Peta-Approved Vegan” seal and are manufactured in Europe.
The collection:
The ready-to-wear styles are fashionable and urban. Timeless essentials that can be worn in a variety of ways are complemented by individual statement pieces and pieces with small but fine details. Comfort and a pleasant feel play a major role in every collection. By the way, all prints are unique.
The label:
Created under the creative direction of Sandra SándorNanushkaFashion and accessories made from carefully selected materials that have a low environmental impact. The luxury brand from Budapest works with, among other things, upcycling, organic cotton, regenerated leather and OKOBOR™, a fabric made from recycled polyester and polyurethane that was specially developed by the label and is more environmentally friendly than other synthetic materials. The collections are manufactured in factories in Hungary or in neighboring Serbia in compliance with a fair code of conduct. By 2025, the brand aims to achieve complete transparency and traceability throughout the entire supply chain.
The collection:
Nanushka stands for functionality and modern elegance - the label's collections are therefore characterized by high-quality materials and sophisticated designs that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary bohemian elements.
The label:
Sustainable fashion since 1999 –Laniusis a family business from Cologne that has been committed to environmental and animal protection for more than 25 years. The brand is GOTS certified and a member of the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry. The garments are made primarily from natural materials from controlled organic cultivation or controlled organic animal husbandry as well as resource-saving and recycled materials such as TENCEL™, EcoVero™ and ECONYL®. The production facilities are located in Romania, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, North Macedonia, India and also in China, among others, which Lanius proves that the label “Made in China” does not have to have negative connotations. In principle, all producers have certificates such as the BSCI Code of Conduct, the SA8000® standard and auditing by the Fair Wear Foundation, which ensure fair and safe working conditions in the company.
The collection:
The creations are more classic with a modern twist and great attention to detail, meaning they can be worn for many seasons. Lanius is all about reflective design, which means that only trends are picked up that the label believes in over the long term.
The label:
The Parisian labelMarine Serreis known for its avant-garde silhouettes, sportswear and eye-catching half-moon prints, but also impresses in the area of sustainability. The designer of the same name puts circular economy at the center of her design process. Currently around 50 percent of the collections consist of upcycled or recycled materials. For the other half of its work, the brand relies on environmentally friendly fibers, such as biodegradable yarns and recycled fibers.
The collection:
Marine Serre is the go-to label for all fashionistas who like something a little more extravagant. We love the signature long sleeves and t-shirts with the iconic brand logo! Even beyond the characteristic pattern, the brand's collections offer cool statement pieces as well as basics with an unexpected twist.
The label:
People Treewas the first fashion company to be awarded the World Fair Trade Organization product label. There are also other certifications such as GOTS, Ökotext Standard 100 and Peta-approved Vegan, which guarantee ethical production with respect for people and the environment. The eco-fashion pioneer's garments are specifically made in developing countries such as India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Nepal from natural materials such as organic cotton, organic wool or Tencel in order to promote trade with socially disadvantaged groups and traditional handicrafts. In this way, producers should benefit from their work instead of suffering from it.
The collection:
Simple shirts, airy dresses and hand-knitted sweaters are the core of People Tree's collections. The brand also offers beautiful activewear and loungewear. Unfortunately, the company has now had to file for bankruptcy, so get your eco-fair pieces quickly before it's too late.
The label:
Recolutionis one of the best-known German brands when it comes to sustainable, fair fashion. Since 2010, the Hamburg company has been setting a good example for a greener fashion industry. That's why it only uses materials that can be traced exactly where they come from. The garments are mostly produced in Europe from GOTS organic cotton, organic wool and TENCEL™ or ECOVERO™, the environmentally friendly alternatives to viscose, under certified fair conditions.
The collection:
Sustainable basics instead of fast-moving trends - from blouses and T-shirts to trousers, dresses and knitted pieces, everything is represented and can be easily combined with each other. Recolution is not afraid of color or patterns, which is why you can sometimes find bright green or large prints in the label's collections. We like!
The label:
AtNudie JeansTransparency comes first. The Swedish denim label only uses certified organic cotton, which comes mainly from Turkey and India, and manufactures mostly in Tunisia and Italy. As a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, ethical, fair production is a given for the brand. The complete list of all suppliers can be viewed on the company's website. Every pair of Nudie jeans is designed to be your “jeans for life”, which is why the models are characterized by their durability and all customers can benefit from a free repair service.
The collection:
From classics with straight legs to skinny fits or wide and high waisted – Nudie Jeans leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to jeans. The brand attaches particular importance to ensuring that the trousers fit the figure perfectly in order to create real favorite pieces. In addition to denim pieces, the collection also includes denim jackets, shirts, dresses, knitted models and accessories.
19. Embassy of Bricks and Logs
The label:
Embassy of Bricks and Logswas founded in Essen in 2015 and has since made it its mission to bring high-quality and stylish outerwear to the market that is sustainable through excellent craftsmanship and durability. The creed? Design first - designing a first-class product and then making it as sustainable as possible. All of the brand's clothing is vegan and ethically made in China. The founders ensure that all production partners can guarantee good working conditions for their employees and visit them regularly. The majority of materials are sourced from South Korea from certified manufacturers. As a filling material, the label worked with its Chinese partner to develop E100, a robust down alternative made from recycled plastic.
The collection:
Thanks to its functionality, contemporary cuts and colors as well as high-quality materials, outerwear from Embassy is clearly slow fashion that you will enjoy for a long time. The coats and jackets are characterized by clear lines and streetwear elements.
The label:
Since 2018, designer Antonia Goy and architect Bjoern Kubeja have been deconstructing what it means to make fashion for a modern (business) woman that accompanies her from day to night. Between Berlin and Paris, the founders create a symbiosis of minimalist, sophisticated aesthetics that is completely sustainable and plastic-free. The collections are made from high-quality natural materials such as mulesing-free wool, certified organic cotton or silk. Production takes place in family-run businesses in Germany, Poland and Italy as well as in the studio in Berlin.
The collection:
Dark colors meet carefully selected materials that create exciting silhouettes with clear tailoring and high-quality knits. Unique, sensual and yet expressive, each piece captures a very special design spirit inspired by architecture, art and surprising influences.
The label:
The Parisian brand La Galpa was founded by friends Angelina Trapani and Lucie Guigal. Her vision was to restore the relationship between the body and fashion and make wearing clothes a sensual experience. The environmentally friendly pieces, which fit like a second skin, are available in an inclusive range of sizes from XS to XXXL, with the individual cut constructions being adapted to the different body types. With a mix of pre-order and limited quantities, La Galpa tries to save resources and numbers each of the pieces produced individually. When it comes to materials, the French brand relies on Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified fabrics such as organic cotton, sustainable viscose and mulesing-free, traceable SustainaWool.
The collection:
The collection, designed using 3D technology, offers a variety of sophisticated basics, all of which flatter the body in a figure-flattering way. The minimalist cuts are loosened up by sophisticated details such as cut-outs, lacing or button placket and are available in neutral colors and bright tones.
The label:
Wool and GOTS-certified organic cotton are the core materials of the traditional label from Tyrol, which are sourced from Austria, Tuscany and Portugal. By 2025, production, which does not require additives such as plasticizers and dyes, is to be switched entirely to organic cotton. By combining traditional techniques such as fulling and modern cuts, Stapf tries to delight its customers with long-lasting and timeless products made from natural materials.
The collection:
From the traditional “Janker” to the casual sweater, everything is represented in the collection. It consists of fine-knit pieces and those with a coarser structure. Bottoms and hats, in a color range from neutral tones to colorful contrasting colors, also complement the sustainable product portfolio, which can be worn in both summer and winter.
23. Addition (Sustainable Apparel)
The label:
Appreciation and creating a new relationship with fashion are two of the concerns that the Addition Sustainable Apparel label, founded in 2020 by Wiebke Clef, pursues. The fair fashion store owner's Hamburg label relies on classic designs and existing collections, which are supplemented with new colors, patterns or styles as required - in the spirit of a capsule collection. Produced fairly, transparently and responsibly with partners in Portugal, Romania and Peru. All this with the use of selected,such as certified organic cotton, Tencel (Lenzing) or Fairtrade certified alpaca wool from Peru. Only vegetable-tanned organic leather from Alpine organic cattle from small family farms is used for the shoes, which is then tanned without chrome.
The collection:
In addition to the always existing signature essentials of dresses, skirts and shoes, the collection is supplemented by smaller drops that can all be combined with one another. Among other things, a jewelry collection was created with the sustainable label Fremdformat.
The label:
Moot stands for “Made out of trash” and thus describes the philosophy of the Berlin upcycling company. The brand, founded in 2020 by fashion designer Nils Neubauer and business economist Michael Pfeifer, wants to take action against the climate impact of the fashion industry. It is produced with short transport routes in Berlin in collaboration with the Union of Social Institutions (USE) by people with mental disorders. In addition to ecological compatibility, the social component is also an important cornerstone of Moot, which creates “new” things from supposed garbage.
The collection:
The garments, which are made from rescued textiles that are seen as trash, are truly unique pieces. Colorful prints in vintage style or patchwork pieces make Moot's clothing absolutely fashionable and perfect eye-catchers that can be easily combined.
The label:
Former fashion editor Katharina Hogenkamp switched sides in 2021 and founded the fashion label Ellima. Inspired by her love for vintage fashion and French chic, the sustainable label combines both influences in one. Using materials such as cotton (which is sourced from Germany), linen or wild silk, each piece is handmade and the time spent producing it is listed on the product page - pretty transparent. Because everything is made to order, Ellima avoids overproduction and waste of resources.
The collection:
The elegant French chic with vintage character and playful details makes Ellima's dresses, skirts and blouses the perfect summer and spring companions that can be combined with both sneakers and high shoes.
The label:
Vlora (“Lola”) Rexhepi and Dennis Tong are behind the sustainable brand Lola Tong. The sustainable fashion start-up from Switzerland creates luxurious capsule collections that are made in Italy exclusively from responsible and high-quality fabrics. What is special about the concept is that the fashion designers or artists behind each fashion item are shown in order to increase the visibility of the people behind the product. You can find further information about the creatives on the website. Collaboration is also a priority when it comes to materials, and Lola Tong works with a traditional textile company based in Italy that sells certified, sustainable materials.
The collection:
Flowing fabrics, playful details, clear tailoring or basics? Everyone will find what they are looking for at Lola Tong, because the different designers also reveal different influences in the collections. From blouses, coats and T-shirts to dresses and accessories, everything is represented and can be easily combined with each other.
The label:
Habibi – you know?, as the young Hamburg label is called on Instagram, plays with the meaning of the Arabic word for “sweetheart”. The expression that is both the name and concept of Imad and Jessica EL Rayees' brand. With their fairly produced T-shirts and hoodies, they want to take a stand against Islamophobia and have a positive influence on the discourse surrounding Arabic lettering. The whole thing can be read in their manifesto, which is supported by a video on a visual level.
The collection:
The streetwear collection, which includes hoodies and T-shirts as well as accessories and limited drops, is largely sewn and embroidered near Hamburg using the made-to-order principle. Many of the products can also be personalized to create your individual Habibi style.
The label:
Free from chemical substances and social exploitation. The working conditions for all the people who work in the textile production strongholds are often appalling. The Mannheim fashion label Belle Ikat wants to produce extravagant fashion under fair conditions for workers and nature. The Ikat patterns are the label's trademark. This involves a special production and dyeing of fabrics. This technique has its origins in Asia and that is exactly where Belle Ikat wants to preserve this tradition and give the workers a fair wage and a safe job.
The collection:
At Belle Ikat, every piece is unique. Embroidered tunics, scarves, dresses and kaftans shine in bright colors, without any chemicals. And when it comes to materials, natural products such as silk, linen and cotton are also used. The fabrics are made by hand in small factories in Central Asia. These special craft traditions create beautiful unique pieces whose editions are very limited.
The label:
Tracksuits, hoodies and the like are no longer just worn at home on the couch or for sports. Casual street style is hotter than ever and even cooler when it's sustainable. The Berlin label “The Tracksuit Club” relies on 100 percent, such as recycled PET and organic cotton. In order to keep emissions as low as possible, they source their raw materials from European countries.
The collection:
As the name suggests, tracksuits are the heart of the collection. Like the leggings for women, these are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. There are also unisex T-shirts, hoodies and socks made from organic cotton. Reflective prints and lettering adorn the sporty clothing.
The label:
Born as the granddaughter of a tailor, the Hamburg designer Lara Krude developed a great fascination for traditional craftsmanship and the high quality of handmade clothing at an early age. In 2017, slow fashion designer Lara Krude won the “Designers for Tomorrow” award – after which her career really took off. Aware that the excessive consumption ofnot only puts a strain on our environment, but also drives the decline in quality and craftsmanship, Lara Krude decided to found her slow fashion label of the same name in 2018 as an alternative.
The collection:
Perfectly tailored shirts, dresses and trousers: Lara Krude's designs represent uncomplicated elegance and abstract femininity with timeless pieces that are designed to help women feel like the best version of themselves - strong, independent and curious.
The label:
Inspired by his own life and pop culture: Behind the young Berlin fair fashion streetwear label In Private Studio is the former menswear blogger Michael Späth, whose fashion is aimed at "daydreamers, creative people, cosmopolitans and artists" directed. And with success: Stars like Gigi Hadid, Cody Simpson and Tom Kaulitz have already been spotted in the designs of In Private Studio.
The collection:
His debut collection "Loneliness keeps me running" was created in a time of personal crisis, says Michael Späth, and is intended to raise awareness that it is ok to feel lonely and introverted from time to time. Best-selling pieces include the “Dinner for One” T-shirt and the “Social Anxiety” hoodie. In Private Studio only uses organic cotton and has its clothing produced under fair conditions in Turkey.
The label:
Fashion like an endless summer – that’s Rove. The Australian brand sees itself as a “label for globetrotters and freedom lovers who let their hearts lead them out into the wide world in search of adventure.” Founded by the German Carolin Materna in the hip Australian town of Byron Bay, Rove combines relaxed Australian beach culture with a Mediterranean-feminine flair. But it's not just about Instagrammable fashion: the focus is on fair production and sustainable materials made from natural fibers. The packaging and shipping materials are also 100 percent plant-based, biodegradable and plastic-free. The label delivers to Europe within 4-10 working days - even free of charge for orders over 125 euros. Also commendable: Rove supports women in developing countries with various educational projects.
The collection:
Colorful jackets, skirts, tops and playsuits on their travels around the world: fashion and travel influencers such as Leonie Hanne, the German-Australian travel couple Marie Fe & Jake Snow or the Australian travel blogger "Saltyluxe" are often featured in Rove's designs see.
The label:
Playful, individual, courageous: The two Komana designers Livia and Nina Henne live out their love for folklore, art and nature in their designs. The sisters from Switzerland only use carefully selected ecological and fairly produced materials for their fashion.
The collection:
Graphic prints are always at the heart of the collections, balancing the spirit of the times and tradition: digital prints meet block prints that Indian artisans implement, thereby keeping an old tradition alive.
The label:
Founded and based in Vienna in 2014, the Rudolf Vienna label combines elegant cuts with natural materials, ancient dyeing art with the latest technology and current collections with timeless designs. All pieces are made in and around Vienna. The natural fibers used for the clothing come, among other things, from sheep from controlled organic animal husbandry. Dyed exclusively with plant fibers.
The collection:
In addition to ready-to-wear, the two founders Lisa Mladek and Antonia Maedel, who named their label after their grandfathers, both of whom were called Rudolf, also have accessories such as cozy plaids, pillows, belts and hats in their range.
The label:
High-quality fashion, minimalist, limited and handmade in southern Germany: Ecostories relies on individual favorite pieces that are transparent and produced in small editions in Ravensburg. The young company attaches particular importance to high-quality natural materials and designs that reflect the love of art, architecture and nature.
The collection:
Timeless sweaters, cardigans, jackets, pants and T-shirts: The founders don't actually talk about collections, but rather about "chapters" - because additional styles for women and men are added to the existing designs each season and the entire range is not replaced. All styles can be ordered directly from the shop or from the online retailer Avocadostore. There is also an Ecostories store in Ravensburg for everyone who wants to get a first-hand impression.
“Knitted stitch” means maska in Swedish – because the first collection consisted exclusively of wool cardigans. The Scandinavian label was founded in 2009 and today has a complete ready-to-wear collection in its range, including accessories. The mission is clear: Maska wants to produce high-quality clothing that is durable and produced sustainably in Europe. Using fabrics such as linen, cashmere, Tencel or organic cotton, we create typically Scandinavian, minimalist fashion that is designed to be worn for more than one season and is also suitable for the office.
The collection:
The collection shows clear silhouettes and light fabrics, which are complemented by timeless knitted pieces and can be perfectly combined with the colorful prints of the skirts, dresses and tops.
The label:
A trip through Latin America - particularly the landscapes, traditional craft techniques and materials - inspired Pauline Treis to found her own label Jungle Folk in 2013. Today she creates clothing from certified organic fabrics and collaborates with artisans from Peru, Colombia and India. Jungle Folk foregoes several seasonal collections per year, instead focusing on timeless pieces that can be worn and combined for many occasions.
The collection:
The pieces from Jungle Folk consist of minimalist cuts and boho accessories and are perfect for your next vacation or a dance in the summer rain.
The label:
The Ukrainian label Sleeping Gypsy combines sustainable fashion with beautiful boho silhouettes. All dresses, tunics and tops are designed by young Ukrainian artists and made by local seamstresses. Katya Hermann, former model and founder of Sleeping Gypsy, attaches great importance to bringing "Vyshyvanka", the artistic and time-consuming hand embroidery for traditional blouses and dresses, from Ukraine to the world - on conditions that both the employees and make future customers happy.
The collection:
In addition to artfully embroidered blouses, tunics and dresses made of linen, Sleeping Gypsy also offers skirts. In keeping with the “slow fashion” approach, the collection will only be expanded, not completely replaced. “We create unique, high-quality garments that are designed to last a lifetime,” says Katya.
What is sustainability in the fashion industry?
The fashion industry is one of the most carbon-intensive, dirtiest industries in the world. So it's high time for something to change to counteract climate change and unfair working conditions. Sustainable fashion is the future of the fashion industry and also a good opportunity for each and every one of us to make a concrete difference and make a decisive, albeit small, contribution to the green transition.
Sustainable fashion stands for clothing and accessories whose production does not harm people, animals or the environment. Specifically, this means that materials are sourced from organic farming, resource consumption is kept as low as possible and the principles of fair trade are adhered to. The focus is on responsible treatment of the environment, the avoidance of toxic chemicals, fair working conditions, fair wages, regulated working hours, occupational safety and no discrimination, child or forced labor.
Transparency plays a central role so that we as consumers know where our clothing comes from. Manyethical fashion brandshave dedicated a separate section on their website to the topic of sustainability, in which the entire supply chain from the cotton plant to the packaging of the garment is often disclosed.as well as non-profit organizations like theFair Wear Foundation(FWF) also check and certify the ecological, social and health standards of a product in order to make purchasing decisions easier.
AlsoCircular Fashion, recycling and upcycling, processing deadstock materials or simply choosing high-quality, long-lasting pieces that you keep for a long time are all part of sustainable fashion.
How do I recognize sustainable fashion?
Sustainability is a very complex topic that is easy to lose track of. It is often not that easy for normal end consumers to recognize which products have really been produced ecologically and ethically.
We often have to deal with greenwashing, especially in fashion, because of course no brand wants to be seen as polluting the environment and supporting unfair working conditions. To achieve this, misleading practices such as green logos and unprotected terms such as “natural” and “responsible” are used in wording to portray themselves as more environmentally friendly or sustainable than they actually are. The term “sustainable” itself is not protected and can therefore be used virtually arbitrarily.
However, authentic sustainability is a holistic concept that is not reflected in an advertising slogan, but in the entire actions of a brand. So that you can make informed decisions when purchasing, here are a few tips that will make sustainable shopping easier for you:
- Check materials and use natural and recycled materials
- Onand respect certifications such as GOTS, IVN Best, Oeko-Tex 100 and the Fair Wear Foundation
- Read the “About Us” section or the sustainability report on the brand websites
- Brands with platforms like“Good On You”check
- Choose high-quality, timeless basics that you will use for a long time
Want even more sustainable fashion brands? There is more on the topic here:
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