The July heatwave seems to have brought the immediacy of the climate crisis to our attention once more. Yet, for many of us it’s hard to reconcile our concerns for the planet with our love of fashion and desire to stay on trend. In 2019, UN Environment stated that the fashion industry is responsible for 8% of carbon emissions, a shockingly high number that shows it is time for change.
Small brands have recently been touted as a step towards a more sustainable fashion industry - not to mention a more exciting one. With unique and high quality items combined with affordable prices they give rise to a combination not found either in the big fashion houses or fast fashion brands. Yet, given their lower visibility, they can be hard to find.
I’ve curated seven of the most fashion forward small brands today, each of which takes time to make durable pieces which can be reword for years, in many cases using deadstock materials, that would otherwise end up in landfill.
In a nutshell:
1. Valliant Studio (19.9k followers)
Valliant studio is a Paris based brand created by visionary designer Alice Valliant. The pieces have been described as a balance between structure and fluidity, mixing lace trims and fluted sleeve with structured leather trousers and bustiers. With mind to sustainable fashion, the leather is up cycled using unwanted offcuts from fashion houses.
Price range: €110-880
2. Aseni Eluas (8k)
Described as ‘minimal romantic’ by the designer, this up and coming brand features classic, elegant designs. Often crisp white with lace trims and shirring details, these gorgeous tops and dresses would be the perfect pieces for walking around the streets of Paris or under the sun on the Amalfi coast. Everything is handmade by the designer and so these pieces are limited in availability - make sure to catch the next drop this August!
Price range: unavailable
3. Tatovi (2k)
Tatovi is a Ukraine based small business which creates made to order pieces, which means less waste and individual items tailored for a great fit. With a focus on coats and neutral colours, the brand offers timeless, vintage inspired outerwear using high quality materials.
Price range: email thetatovi@gmail.com for enquiries
4. Lisou (45k)
A London based brand whose founder Rene Macdonald hails from Tanzania, Lisou is the perfect brand for lovers of bright, luxurious prints and 70s style. The vibrant fabrics are designed in house for suits, belted midis and jumpsuits. Lisou are focusing on becoming a zero waste brand, with biodegradable fabric and a collaboration with One Tree Planted.
Price range: £175-550
5. Chalsie Joan (10k)
Founded by Chalsie Williamson in the UK, Chalsie Joan is a small brand which has found particular success with its Anna blouse. This, as well as the rest of her range, constitutes a carefully balanced amalgamation of classical, simple, modern, feminine and playful elements, at times infused with bold colour. The made to order policy of the brand reduces waste and allows customers to customise the final product in terms of the colours of fabric used.
Price range: £145-435
6. Spirit and Grace (13k)
Spirit and grace was founded to create timeless clothing or ‘forever’ pieces in the words of its founder Emily. The range of summer dresses are perfect for an effortlessly stylish look. Everything is produced in England in limited runs to keep the carbon footprint of the brand down.
Price range: £55-170
7. Freya McKee (33k)
McKee is a young designer who began selling secondhand on depop and transitioned into making original designs. She focuses on sustainable design using materials that would otherwise be discarded. Specialising in knitwear, McKee makes made to order and one off pieces, and her work has recently been featured in the Heavan by Marc Jacobs store.
Price range: £55-150
This post was created by guest writer - Isabel Dernedde