The best time to shop sustainably is now. More than ever, awareness on sustainable living has been sweeping around the world, and brands are doing all that they can to make sustainable living just a little more accessible. These brands in Singapore are taking the bull by the horns and not only making sustainable fashion accessible, but super stylish too.
1. OliveAnkara
Started off the list with a brand that brings bold patterns to the fashion scene. OliveAnkara is embracing sustainable fashion by merging the traditional and the modern. Inspired by traditional African prints, they blend these prints with modern silhouettes to create stunning statement pieces. Fabric for these pieces are sourced straight from Nigeria and stitched together by their team in Singapore. The brand prioritises quality and design over quantity and trends, and they adopt a zero-waste mindset throughout their work process. This means that excess fabric is never wasted and always used to create pieces like accessories and even kids wear.
You can view more of their designs on their Instagram here or make a purchase through their website here.
2. Qlothè
Started by Elvynd Soh, a self-taught designer in 2018, Qlothè (pronounced klo-they) has to become a sustainable womenswear label featuring basic pieces that can be dressed or down depending on the occasion. The brand transitioned to become a more sustainable brand as a reflection and a reminder to consumers to be more mindful about how they consume fashion. The brand incorporates materials with strong sustainability credentials such as Tencel Lyocell.
Qlothè is also concerned about transparency of their materials. By working with a team in Canada, they have created a full Life Cycle Inventory to study the impact customers make when buying their garments from source to boutique. Qlothè hopes to be able to answer the question “who made our clothes” at every stage of the process. That’s a thumbs up from us on accountability!
You can find more of their designs on their Instagram page here, or you can shop on their Lazada seller store here.
3. Sui
A brand that is based in India and Singapore, Sui is a conscious fashion label that aims to connect the threads of nature with fashion. At the core of their business is the “green heart”, and their business theory is simple, “We make clothes that are ethical, wearable and chic, using earth friendly fabrics and dyes”. This theory is followed throughout the production process of the product.
All their materials are sourced from sustainable vendors that align with Sui on values of sustainability. These include artisan communities such as Women Weave, Herbal Fab, and Aura Herbal. The production is then moved to an in-house team of tailors (they call them “threadspellers”) that add the magic touch to the fabric.
You can find some of their amazing designs on their Instagram here. Their website also has an extensive list of products for you to browse and shop.
4. Esse
Started in 2017 by fashion designer Alicia Tsi, Esse’s goal is to redefine the approach to fashion. With understated and modern designs, they create pieces that are staples in a basic wardrobe. Esse crafts its products from a variety of materials. These include organic materials like linen and bamboo, to regenerated ones like Tencel. Each product is also placed through a rigorous wash test to ensure it can stand the test of time and last in your wardrobe.
To ensure the products are also made under fair and ethically working conditions, the brand partners with factories that have a excellent track record of ethical work environments.
Esse also gives back. The brand has partnered with several NGOs such as Star Shelter Singapore and Trees That Count in New Zealand to give back and help society grow together.
To view more of their amazing pieces, you can head over to their Instagram here. You can also shop for their pieces online at their website here.
5. Source Collections
If you’re looking for basics to add to your wardrobe, look no further than Source Collections. Started in 2016 by Vincent Ooi, its mission is to create premium basics. These basics are your everyday essentials that are a must-have in a wardrobe (eg. T-shirts, undershirts and underwear).
Their products are made from high-quality sustainably sourced Tencel and organic cotton, and their cuttings are made for the Asian physique. The brand is also committed to having their packaging plastic-free and tags made from FSC-certified sources.
Source Collections is also committed to ensuring ethical workplace environments. The brand is committed to sourcing and working with 100 sweatshop free factories, with guarantees of cruelty free employment and safe working conditions. They are actually very transparent with the factories they work with such as, The Knit Factory and The Undergarment Factory.
You can view more of their designs on their Instagram here. They also have a website where you can shop for your wardrobe basics.
It is not too late to start thinking sustainably and revamping your wardrobe. You can use these designers to kickstart your journey and be more aware of sustainable fashion. 😊
