As fashion begins to leave behind environmental and social harm, we’re celebrating the labels making a difference.

As we welcome a new, environmentally charged beginning with the recent launch of our eco-friendly packaging, we celebrate the true heroes in the world of fashion: the labels that design and create with a purpose, whether socially conscious, cruelty-free, charitable or planet-friendly. The domino effect of going green is much more than a fashion trend, and as our edit grows with conscious labels, we’re highlighting some of the most notable brands steering the scene into a considerate, ethical path.

POUR LES FEMME

Actress & activist Robin Wright was disheartened after seeing the unimaginable struggles women are facing in the eastern Congo, so she made it her mission to contribute. In a collaboration with designer Karen Fowler, Pour Les Femme was created with the purpose of supporting women’s rights in comfort, stability and security by creating and providing economic opportunities. This feminist drive led to the special Made in Congo capsule collection, which focused on working with Congolese women who were survivors of violence, giving them the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. From working with women in various regions of conflict, the label creates lush feminine designs in a selection of luxuriously soft lightweight sleep and resort wear.

AESOP

When Aesop talks about sensory pleasure, it’s not just about the experience, but the process behind it. In a selection of plant-based and lab-made products, founder Dennis Paphitis wanted to create a line of products without collateral damage. The vegan label became a cult brand of natural skincare, with its aversion to animal testing, mostly natural ingredients and cleansing products designed to be biodegradable and recyclable. Captivating the natural skincare world by storm, the incredibly fragrant botanical products focus on the health of your skin rather than an anti-ageing approach, helping counteract the impact of everyday life. Not just beneficial to your skincare needs, the iconic and identical no-fuss brown bottles and squeezable beige tubes have been a staple in decorating every fashion girl's bathroom vanity. Currently in the process of shifting its plastic packaging to 99.7% fully recyclable, locally-sourced plastic, their much-loved bottles are also taking care of our planet.

NANUSHKA

Nanushka is all about being modern, contemporary and minimal — an ethos that shines through its efforts to become a sustainable brand. In its respect for flora and fauna, its collections make butter-soft vegan leather and faux fur a productive style statement by using certified sustainable fabrics, in subtle feminine shapes with unexpected detailing. Aimed at a youthful sartorially-driven audience, the brand hopes to educate its customers and impact their everyday lives by detailing the ingredients used on their tags and labels, creating more awareness on conscious fashion. Aside from their production and cruelty-free approach, the label is also charitable. Nanushka gives back to the community by supporting causes like helping those affected by the Sri Lanka attacks and raising donations for The Bibi Fund.

RAHUA

In their own words, Rahua is inspired by Mother Nature. The environmentalist founders, Fabian Lliguin and Anna Ayers, created the fair-trade beauty brand sourced directly from the rainforest in the most ethical of ways. They actively take part in creating a better state for the Indigenous People by educating them on their land and human rights, helping them create a better economy. Setting NYC as its home, the label works with over 500 families in Amazonian tribes to bring unique rainforest ingredients to luxury haircare, maintaining the ancient harvesting processes in the Amazon. Exclusively using Symbiotic® Ingredients — those wild-grown instead of farmed — its vegan, non-toxic formulations are designed to naturally bring out the exceptional benefits of its organic, cruelty-free ingredients resulting in luxurious shampoos, conditioners and masks to bring your hair back to life.

STELLA MCCARTNEY

Perhaps one of the first agents of sustainable fashion, Stella McCartney embraces going green in every way that she can. The British designer is exemplary in her commitment to be not only eco-friendly but being a fully sustainable designer from production to presentation. Stella McCartney is a great advocate who proves eco-luxury can exist and thrive; whether it’s recyclable metal, biodegradable rubber, organic cotton, faux leather, a cruelty-free ethos or using renewable energy, the label continues to break boundaries with an appetite for innovative, planet-friendly techniques without affecting style. The environmental trailblazer has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to on-trend conscious choices, mostly recognised for her rejection of all animal products, she now has an official responsibility beyond her brand, as special adviser on sustainability to LVMH’s chief executive officer.