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Many fashion brands claim to be sustainable, but there's no real consensus about what it means to be truly sustainable in fashion. Some brands use recycled materials and others promote resale programs. But those practices alone aren't enough to counter "greenwashing," which is defined as outwardly presenting to the public as environmentally friendly without transparent facts. Doing your own research is key. Certain sites can assist you with this on your shopping journey, including Good on You, which establishes brand ratings by price point based on designer production methods.
We narrowed down a list of nine labels — abacaxi, PH5, Bassike, LOTI, Hanifa, Collina Strada, Lisa Folawiyo, Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese, and Marrakshi — that are exploring ways to improve their sustainability efforts even further in 2022.
Most of these brands are led by founders and creative directors who are creating small batches of made-to-order clothing, so as not to overproduce and cause waste. These brands maintain working environments to reflect their priorities (think solar powered buildings and materials, and machinery that isn't outsourced).
The designers here are from different backgrounds and walks of life, yet they all share a mission of working to improve industry standards. Some brands, like PH5, even send out sustainability reports year after year so shoppers can track their progress directly.
Ahead, check out the sustainable intel shared exclusively with POPSUGAR about what to expect from these labels, and shop a standout piece from each one now.