Pages

Saturday 16 April 2016

Businesses doing good things



Over my lifetime, I have become increasingly aware of environmental and social sustainability, ethical businesses and related issues. I naturally developed my own values and beliefs as I became more knowledgeable. The more I learn, the more companies I discover who have chosen to be mindful of people and planet, producing low impact products and trying to promote a different way of consuming.

It's often difficult to find such brands, though they have been becoming better known over the past couple of years, and when you find them the prices can be surprising when you are used to cheap as chips Kmart sort of prices. But, in truth, if you want to live with lower impact to the earth while supporting the people who work for these companies, you have to be willing to pay reasonable prices for good quality products. What you can do to save yourself some money is teach yourself to buy fewer clothes and beauty products. Look at fashion as an investment, buy good quality, ethical clothes (that aren't going to be cheap), but don't buy something new every week. If you buy fewer clothes, but of the good sort, and treat them well then they will last you longer and treat you better.

However, here in lies the problem of changing fashions and wanting to remain a young adult who has a sense of fashion that is somewhat accepted by society. I, for one, love fashion, I love being inspired by it, being creative with it and feeling confident in something that is slightly vintage, slightly op-shop, slightly hipster, but, most importantly, a whole lot of me. It is how we present our personalities to the world, to a degree, and how express ourselves. If you too enjoy keeping up with fashions or creating your own and thus feel the need to add to your wardrobe regularly, then firstly, you too probably have more clothes than you need and, secondly, spend more money than you'd like to on looking they way you want to. Having sensible parents with a middle class income and a mortgage, I was never allowed to indulge my want for regular new and different clothes, and I quickly realised that this was a good thing. However, that doesn't mean I don't have way too many clothes. For as long as I can remember, Mum and I have been shopping at the Salvos, City Mission, Vinnies, the Red Cross Shop etc. It got to a point a few years ago where most of my wardrobe consisted of op shop finds, so I have calmed down a bit over the past few years. Yes op shops are cheap, but even more brilliantly, they often support a good cause. So simultaneously, while you are doing good by supporting these charity shops your are NOT supporting the fast fashion brands that are not ethical or sustainable. Another of my favourite things about shopping second hand clothes is the variety and the vintage beauties available for next to nothing. Mind you, you have to have a well trained eye to find them!


A Norwegian hand knitted 100% woollen jumper I found the other week in City mission for $6!
Just one of the many things I have found in op shops over my lifetime.

Something else I do, which isn't for everyone and is fairly easy to do if you have a mother who has taught you such skills from an early age, is make my own clothes. I love it. I love making things in general so when you combine creating, a wide variety of sewing patterns to choose from, the skill to change a pattern up so it's exactly what you have pictured in your head, and being able to wear the result - what's not to love! Sewing seems difficult when looking at it from the outside, but, I promise that it really is a case of practice makes ...wearable results! As you keep sewing you build up the confidence to eventually sew things that you can get proper wear out of. I didn't wear the first few things I made more than once, but the better I got at sewing and the more confident I got, the more I was able to create pieces that fitted me, suited me and were even a bit hip ;) So even if you think you're too old to learn or have no one to teach you, if you can get your hands on a sewing machine there are plenty of books out there that can help, as well YouTube videos and even paid classes if you're really dedicated. 

To finish a piece of clothing, with many mistakes and bugger moments along the way, and to love it when you try it on, is one of the most exciting, freeing and rewarding experiences. Plus, you know for sure who made it and if you're extra careful you can even make sure the fabric used is ethically produced too. You can truly take control of your fashion and its impact.






Conversely, op shops and home made clothes aren't the only alternative to fast fashion brands, there are plenty of ethically managed fashion labels and cosmetics and beauty labels who are working their buts off to give the world happier alternatives. And a great many of them are Australian owned. Because it is fashion revolution week, and I coincidently had the idea for this blog post, I thought I would share a list of my favourite, tried and trusted, ethical and more sustainable fashion and beauty brands. And I apologise to any men reading this in advance that they are mostly women's brands, but some of them do cater for both and all in between.

1. Dharma Bums - I am a yoga fan and found this Australian yoga and active wear company a few years ago. They make gorgeous printed leggings and sports bras and all that sporty stuff.
      'All Dharma Bums clothing is designed, printed and made here in Australia, close to the home of the head office. By working closely with our partners in the supplier chain we are able this ensure ethical and fair working conditions to all those involved in helping us bring the product to you.' 

This quote is from the website, where they tell you all about the company and it's mission - always a good sign when a company openly discloses everything about their products.

2. Vege Threads - This Australian label sells basics that are a bit more special than your average basic. Their production is moving towards 100% Australian this year and all garments are dyed in Australia. They also use certified organic fabrics. Check 'em out.

3. Thunderpants - A New Zealand label here to fill your under garment requirements. Made in New Zealand from Organic cotton that comes from Indonesia. They have some pretty snazzy prints, which is another bonus. 'Exacting standards and keeping it local' - from website.

4. Alas - A sleepwear label who's products are 'made in India where the cotton is also grown, spun, woven and dyed. All of our garments are constructed with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton, in fair labour, sweatshop-free factories. We visit our producers regularly to maintain strong relationships and trust between all parties. We believe this personal approach is the best way to ensure the integrity of each factory.' 

While the clothes aren't made in Australia the company includes information about the Indian factories. I have a onsie from Alas that is heavenly comfortable and looks so cute! 


Wilbur All-in-one
Image from http://alasthelabel.com/

5. Tightology - 'Tightology is an Australian independent label producing hosiery and essential consumer products, with a social and environmental conscience and a considered approach to design. Made in Australia and Italy we are known for our use of fine materials, detailed design approach and luxurious fibres.' Yes, I am getting lazy and just copying the descriptions from the websites. Deal.

6. Etiko - An Australian brand who make ethical versions of popular shoes like Converse, Toms and thongs, which sounds a bit dodgy, but it's actually great. If you think about it, Kmart, Target and similar shops rip off the same brands and charge half they price. The only difference between them and Etiko is that Etiko is ethical and has been awarded for the way they business. They also make clothing, but footwear is their main gig.

7. Inkkas - An American footwear brand. They make gorgeously colourful Latin America inspired casual and smart casual shoes (sneakers, sandals, boots etc.), and they do it ethically and sustainably. 'using authentic textiles and working with local artisans and launched the Inkkas brand to create footwear that connects the world.' - from website.


8. Duckfeet Shoes - 'Quality is the heart of Duckfeet shoes.' These gorgeous Danish boots, Mary Janes and similar kinds of shoes are hand crafted, made from leather and died with vegetable dyes. And my mum vouches for their comfort.


9. Veja shoes - There's a lot to say about Veja, but I'll just say they are extremely ethical and focused on sustainability. So check out their about page. They produce casual/smart casual shoes as well, quite slick and urban style.

10. mighty good  undie - An Australian label who produce 'affordable organic quality' underwear for everyone.

11. Cue - Cue is an Australian brand that is well known and mingles among the most popular fashion industry brands, in department stores like Myer and David Jones. What many don't know is that it is an ethically accredited brand by Ethical Clothing Australia.

12. Sukin - An Australian skincare brand whose slogan is 'Skincare that doesn't cost the earth.' 'Nuf said. I have been using their products on my sensitive combination skin for about 5 years now.

13. Natio - Another Australian skincare and cosmetics brand that I adore! Their plant based products are not tested on animals, made in Australia, the packaging is recyclable and most importantly just works with my skin. They do as much as they can to continually improve the sustainability of their products and reduce their impact on the environment. 

14. Simpleasthatskin - This Australian owned and made, organic, fair trade, vegan skincare brand is a smaller company that I haven't tried yet...but they sound fab so far! 
     'using the fewest ingredients possible to promote natural beauty.' - from website.

15. The good polish - Vegan, cruelty free and made in Australia, this nail polish brand was founded by two Sydney mums. As well as being a less toxic nail polish 'with heart', the company donates 30% of their profit to charities that support women and children in need.


There are plenty other brands that I haven't thought of or remembered in this list, but I often check out the brands that Frankie Magazine and Peppermint Magazine promote when looking for a new brand to get excited about.

So hopefully this post wasn't too lengthy for you to get through and you're reading this now thinking...well, ain't that a dandy thing to have read on a Sunday! And fingers crossed I have pointed you towards some brands you can try and trust and love for the rest of your life, knowing you are lowering your impact on earth and contributing to ethical business practices, increasing the quality of life for many.

I'll leave you with a quote from the Dharma Bums website -

'We believe that given the choice people will choose to support a company that shares their values and helps create a difference. We aim to offer you that choice.'


xx Thanks for reading lovely people,
Love Kate xx






No comments:

Post a Comment