The circular economy is one of the major game-changers in the sustainable fashion world that is being incorporated by an increasing number of brands. This innovative system demonstrates how industries can continue to grow while having a low environmental impact by rethinking business practices and focusing on two key ideas: recycling resources and eliminating waste. Explore the top circular fashion brands below, but first, learn why they deserve our support.
,The R Collective
The R Collective creates its collections by reusing excess luxury fabrics and materials. Every year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated; thus, reusing excess fabrics helps reduce waste and keeps it in circular fashion design and creative strategies.
The R Collective has taken it a step further with the introduction of ‘Refashioned,’ an on-demand service that allows customers to select from a 20-piece collection and have it tailored to their size and preferred fabric. This model fully embodies slow and circular fashion in that, rather than mass-producing clothing items that may or may not sell, the label is able to make the exact needed products to order, thereby eliminating potential waste!
BEEN London
BEEN London designs simple and elegant bags out of waste materials such as recycled leather and polyester. These bags are made in London from sustainable materials and will last you for years and seasons. The leather industry generates a large amount of waste, with tanneries discarding approximately 40% of each hide.
The brand uses off-cut leather pieces from the pre-chemical treatment stage that would otherwise end up in landfills, and it lines its bags with fabric made from recycled bottles. BEEN London is making significant strides in the circularity of fashion by tracing the origins of its materials.
,A.BCH
A.BCH is a Melbourne-based, Australian-made fashion label for consumers who value garment provenance.
It makes use of renewable, organic, and recycled materials. Find the range in sizes XS-XL, or customize to fit you!
,Whimsy + Row
This Los Angeles-based company creates elegant and modern pieces from locally sourced leftover materials from other brands. It buys low-impact fabrics like Tencel, rayon, and linen and creates its pieces with no water!
As an added bonus, its packaging is made entirely of recycled materials and recyclable boxes that are attractive enough to be reused! Most items are available in sizes XS-XL.
,Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney is making the circular fashion industry a reality. It is Cradle to Cradle certified and is part of the Make Fashion Circular initiative (a system of scoring brands for their commitment to the circular economy). The luxury label is developing novel methods of reusing materials such as recycled nylon and polyester, as well as regenerated cashmere.
It also promotes restorative farming practices to ensure the regeneration of natural resources used in the production of clothing and accessories. This includes sourcing viscose from Sweden’s sustainably managed forests and using GOTS certified organic cotton.