Our friends at Remake just published their annual Fashion Accountability Report. This year features in-depth assessments of 58 large scale brands. The results are grim but expected: brands like SHEIN and Amazon scored 8 and 7, respectively, out of a possible 150.
On the other side of that, there are a number of small, sustainable brands that stood out for their innovative approaches to slow fashion and saving fashion.
Here are Remake’s 15 Small Sustainable Businesses to support in the coming year.
ALOHAS
Shoe and clothing apparel company founded in Hawaii by Alejandro Porras in 2015
Report Highlights:
- on-demand production model means that there’s no overstock so far less waste
- all shoes locally made in Alicante, Spain
- plant-based materials including corn and cactus leather
We also love: Their two-toned boots and the chunky heels dominating the collections this year are next level
Backbeat.co
California born clothing company, launched by Isadora Alvarez 2015
Report Highlights:
- prioritizes the use of organic, recycled and low-impact materials
- current material portfolio: recycled cotton, hemp, GOTS certified organic cotton, tencel and deadstock fabric
- made in LA in family owned factories
We also love: Their fabrics, prints, and sharp tailoring make these basics everything but boring.
Cotopaxi
Sustainably designed, durable outdoor gear founded by Davis Smith in 2014
Report Highlights:
- durability is top priority: they offer lifetime warranties and repairs
- incentivized product trade-ins
- one collection is made entirely of remnant fabrics from other companies’ production run
- donate % of profits to 1% for the Planet
We also love: Their vests. Every single style and color palette is perfect.
DÔEN
Quality clothing and home goods offered by sisters Margaret and Katherine Kleveland, who founded Dôen in 2016.
Report Highlights:
- introduced regenerative cotton into products via collaboration with farmers in California
- 88% of all 2021 product volume, including apparel, footwear, and accessories, was produced in a woman-owned or co-owned factory
- on track for 100% transparency
We also love: The dreamy, unapologetically feminine silhouettes nail what the sisters have called “the nostalgia of a coastal California of days past”
For DaYS
Circular model clothing company founded in 2018 by Kristy Caylor and Mary Saunders: a better way to shop for new, on-trend goods more responsibly
Report Highlights:
- all products are recycled and recyclable
- Take Back Bag program means customers can send the company any fabric textiles from any brand back to the company to be downcycled into insulation, rugs or cleaning materials in exchange for store credit
- 90% of all returned For Days items are recycled into new materials
We also love: Their Winter Days in the City collection – obsessed.
Ganni
Cult favorite Scandi fashion label started by husband-and-wife duo Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup in Copenhagen in 2009
Report Highlights:
- repair, rental and resale initiatives
- increasing designing and manufacturing garments for recyclability
- supply-chain transparency
We also love: #GANNIgirls. Look it up.
Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese
Launched in 2019 by designer Tracy Reese in her pivot to towards more sustainable, slow fashion business models
Report Highlights:
- ethical fabric sourcing
- materials portfolio: organic cotton and linen, Tencel™ Lyocell, Cupro (zero leather or polyester)
- creates economic opportunities for women in underserved communities through her artisan studio in Detroit
We also love: Reese’s extensive design experience and trademark style comes through in this new line – we’re especially into the bold prints and seratonin-infused frocks
Known Supply
Launched by besties Kohl Crecelius and Travis Hartanov (formerly of Krochet Kids Inc) in 2017, Known Supply’s underlying mission is to reconnect people with the makers of their clothes
Report Highlights:
- each of the company’s garments are hand-signed by the person who made them, and profiles of many of the artisans can be found on Known Supply’s website
- part of For Days Take Back Bag initiative; taking responsibility of the full life-cycle of their garments
shows its commitment to uplifting garment workers in the United States by supporting worker-centered legislation
We also love: Their graphic tee collection celebrates the Y2K revival by putting forth messages we need to hear today, in the styles of 2002.
LA Relaxed
Launched by Dana Weinstein in 2015, LA Relaxed scored the highest among all participants: “exemplary degree of transparency”
Report Highlights:
- keeps its sourcing within a ten mile radius in LA
- produces 100% of its goods in-house
- uses bluesign® certified dye and wash houses
- discloses workers’ wages
We also love: The collections feature a significant amount of the ultra soft, hand knit velour blend, meaning we can literally drape ourselves in velvet this winter and look good doing it
Lemlem
Paris based founder / designer Liya Kebede started her company in 2007 and has been guided by two pillars: the first is that collections are preservations of traditional Ethiopian handweaving and the second is a commitment to promoting a fair and sustainable fashion industry in Africa
Report Highlights:
- pieces are sourced from traditional weavers and local Ethiopian artisans.
- swimwear is made largely from recycled polyester and regenerated nylon through its partnerships with Repreve® and Econyl®
We also love: The colorful, breathable fabrics and handwoven detailing makes lemlem garments the pinnacle of casual chic.
Mate the Label
Founded by Kayti O’Connell Carr in 2015, womenswear basics using clean materials
Report Highlights:
- materials portfolio: organic cotton, linen and Tencel™ Lyocell — taking extra care to avoid nylon, polyester, conventional cotton and rayon
- recently joined forces with other brands, scientists and farmers to implement regenerative practices on two farms in the California Central Valley
- responsibility for its products at end-of-wear, having launched their own clothing take back and recycling program in collaboration with SuperCircle
We also love: The loungewear collections epitomize the comfy cozy chic vibe we’re feeling this season.
Selva Negra
Selva Negra was founded by Kristen Gonzlalez in LA in 2016
Report Highlights:
- minimizes waste by putting out small batch production runs
- upcycle collections using leftover textiles from previous seasons to make new pieces
- procures materials and trims from deadstock wholesalers
We also love: In an effort to build relationships with women they admire and want to get to know, they created a platform to tell their stories. Womanism profiles stylish women doing important things – it’s a must-see for inspiration – both fashion and life-wise.
RIOT Swim
Founded in 2016 by Monti Landers, Riot Swim is a body inclusive swimwear line gaining recognition for its luxe meets minimalist vibe
Report Highlights:
- use biogenic materials like manmade Cellulosic Fiber
- forgoes packaging entirely
We also love: We’re big fans of their #relaxitsjustass campaign, and their dedication to making quality swimwear suitable for however much or little skin you want to show.
Tala
Conscious active wear and athleisure company started by fitness influencer Grace Beverley in 2019
Report Highlights:
- materials portfolio: LYCRA® SPORT, elastane, recycled polyester/polyamide, and nylon made from regenerated raw materials
- no hazardous chemicals used in their production processes
- discloses supply chain information and audits factories
We also love: The SZN collection puffer jackets are at the top of our wish list this winter.
We are Hah
By women for women sustainable lingerie + loungewear brand started by Sharleen Ernster in 2015
Report Highlights:
- all prints are done using digital and sublimation printing techniques, which use 95% less water than traditional printing
- launched their own EFL™ eco-friendly performance fabric this year (also use uses mostly recycled or bio-based yarn)
We also love: Their bodysuits are lovely as stand-alones, but also fantastic for layering with a touch of luxe.
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