One of the most enjoyable parts of my work is the opportunity to discover new emerging brands and talk to the founders about their work, aspirations, and challenges they face working in the fashion industry. Although women make up the majority of the workforce in the fashion business, they are still consistently underpaid, overworked, and mistreated throughout the industry’s supply chain.
On this International Women’s Day, I am excited to celebrate and give recognition to all the incredible women designers and founders who decided to take a different path and create clothes and accessories with enormous regard for the craft, the environment, and the people involved.
Here is a list of some of my favourite sustainable fashion brands, created by women for women.
Aleksandra
Minimalist leather goods line Aleksandra is founded by the Belgrade-based Aleksandra Zivanovic Popovic. Inspired by the contemporary art and architecture, the Aleksandra bags are the perfect fusion of sculptural shape and unexpected details.
Joanna Organisciak is young designer based in Poland. Characteristic style of her brand Organisciak is unique combination of classic and modern, deconstruction of traditional forms and ambiguity. Easy yet elegant shirts and dresses in the brand’s signature white color fulfill the mission to bring an avant-garde twist to the classic silhouettes.
CYVONYUK is a Polish brand created in 2016 by Aleksandra Cywoniuk. Its collections combine everyday ease with the nonchalant elegance of the luxury fashion. Arhitect by profession, Aleksandra pays special attention to details and tailoring. Each piece is consequently designed to accentuate the female form with subtle yet striking details. Almost all fabrics used in the collection come from the local companies or are made especially for CYVONYUK in Polish production plants.
Bepart is a studio focused on handcrafted jewellery and homeware, founded in 2012 by artist and designer Petra Arbetova. Studio is finding the beauty in minimalistic forms, graphic elements & modern simplicity, using clean lines and geometric shapes to produce delicate and contemporary jewellery. All the pieces are designed and hand fabricated by the designer in her studio in Slovakia.
The first step towards changing the story of millions of women in the fashion industry is to ask yourself if your purchase also empowers the women who made it.
Ennos
Ennos is a contemporary fashion brand founded by Kersti Pohlak in-between Paris and Tallinn. The label approaches womenswear by blending Scandinavian minimalism with Eastern European comfort and practicality. Their timeless design, use of natural materials and ethical approach towards production make brand the perfect choice for women looking for timeless staple pieces that will never leave their wardrobe.
Based in Tallinn, Estonia, the independent label Ida Tau offers timeless leather accessories ranging from bracelets, chokers to harnesses. The brand is establishing itself on the high-end street-scene known for design that celebrates the unique character of the wearers. The pieces are minimal yet daring, not confined to gender or any other norm.
Based in Sofia, Bulgaria, 05 Studio is an emerging lingerie brand Sianna Marinova. Their first collection consists of minimal, timeless underwear and swimwear pieces, designed to fit your personality and simplify your everyday life. The simple, yet modern pieces move comfortably with the body and enhance the natural feminine shape and therefore represent the ultimate addition to every modern woman’s wardrobe.
Inspired by raw forms and strong statements, Sanda Vidmar creates unique contemporary jewellery that celebrates playful tenderness of the natural world and its organic forms. Designed and handcrafted in her studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia, each piece is made with special attention to detail, embracing the natural imperfections of the hand work.
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In Focus: Female-Founded Slow Fashion Brands
One of the most enjoyable parts of my work is the opportunity to discover new emerging brands and talk to the founders about their work, aspirations, and challenges they face working in the fashion industry. Although women make up the majority of the workforce in the fashion business, they are still consistently underpaid, overworked, and mistreated throughout the industry’s supply chain.
On this International Women’s Day, I am excited to celebrate and give recognition to all the incredible women designers and founders who decided to take a different path and create clothes and accessories with enormous regard for the craft, the environment, and the people involved.
Here is a list of some of my favourite sustainable fashion brands, created by women for women.
Aleksandra
Minimalist leather goods line Aleksandra is founded by the Belgrade-based Aleksandra Zivanovic Popovic. Inspired by the contemporary art and architecture, the Aleksandra bags are the perfect fusion of sculptural shape and unexpected details.
Shop timeless bags by Aleksandra
Sustainability criteria:
– handmade
– ethically-made in EU
Breve Bag – Black
550.00€Mini Fermata Bag – Black
445.00€Mini Fermata Bag – Tan
445.00€Wave Shoulder Bag – Red
725.00€540.00€Joanna Organisciak
Joanna Organisciak is young designer based in Poland. Characteristic style of her brand Organisciak is unique combination of classic and modern, deconstruction of traditional forms and ambiguity. Easy yet elegant shirts and dresses in the brand’s signature white color fulfill the mission to bring an avant-garde twist to the classic silhouettes.
Shop shirts by Joanna Organisciak
Sustainability criteria:
– organic materials
– ethically-made
– made in EU
Shirt no. 15
150.00€Shirt no. 16
141.00€Transparent Tunic no. 23
129.00€Tunic no. 1
186.00€CYVONYUK
CYVONYUK is a Polish brand created in 2016 by Aleksandra Cywoniuk. Its collections combine everyday ease with the nonchalant elegance of the luxury fashion. Arhitect by profession, Aleksandra pays special attention to details and tailoring. Each piece is consequently designed to accentuate the female form with subtle yet striking details. Almost all fabrics used in the collection come from the local companies or are made especially for CYVONYUK in Polish production plants.
Shop CYVONYUK
Sustainability criteria:
– locally-sourced materials
– ethically made
– made in EU
Dress
169.00€Open Back Blouse
99.00€Pencil Skirt
119.00€Slip Dress
149.00€Bepart
Bepart is a studio focused on handcrafted jewellery and homeware, founded in 2012 by artist and designer Petra Arbetova. Studio is finding the beauty in minimalistic forms, graphic elements & modern simplicity, using clean lines and geometric shapes to produce delicate and contemporary jewellery. All the pieces are designed and hand fabricated by the designer in her studio in Slovakia.
Shop timeless jewellery by Bepart
Sustainability criteria:
– handmade
– ethically-made in EU
Bar Earring – Silver or 14k Gold
32.00€ – 155.00€Dot Ring – Silver or 14k Gold
65.00€ – 215.00€Line Ear Climber – Silver or 14k Gold
40.00€ – 265.00€Line Ring – Silver or 14k Gold
65.00€ – 210.00€The first step towards changing the story of millions of women in the fashion industry is to ask yourself if your purchase also empowers the women who made it.
Ennos
Ennos is a contemporary fashion brand founded by Kersti Pohlak in-between Paris and Tallinn. The label approaches womenswear by blending Scandinavian minimalism with Eastern European comfort and practicality. Their timeless design, use of natural materials and ethical approach towards production make brand the perfect choice for women looking for timeless staple pieces that will never leave their wardrobe.
Shop Ennos
Sustainability criteria:
– natural materials
– ethically-made
– made in EU
Alisia Shirt
152.00€Byano Trousers
160.00€Calde Blouse
210.00€Chruse Dress
190.00€Ida Tau
Based in Tallinn, Estonia, the independent label Ida Tau offers timeless leather accessories ranging from bracelets, chokers to harnesses. The brand is establishing itself on the high-end street-scene known for design that celebrates the unique character of the wearers. The pieces are minimal yet daring, not confined to gender or any other norm.
Shop Ida Tau
Sustainability criteria:
– handmade
– locally sourced materials
– ethically-made in EU
Leather Bracelet – Special Edition
25.00€Leather Choker One
35.00€Leather Harness One – Black or White
60.00€Leather Harness Two – Black or White
60.00€05 studio
Based in Sofia, Bulgaria, 05 Studio is an emerging lingerie brand Sianna Marinova. Their first collection consists of minimal, timeless underwear and swimwear pieces, designed to fit your personality and simplify your everyday life. The simple, yet modern pieces move comfortably with the body and enhance the natural feminine shape and therefore represent the ultimate addition to every modern woman’s wardrobe.
Shop 05 studio
Sustainability criteria:
– upcycled deadstock fabrics
– vegan
– ethically-made
– made in EU
Elodie Transparent Bra – Burgundy or Black
33.00€Lea High Waisted Panty
29.00€Lea High Waisted Velvet Panties – Burgundy
28.00€Leonie Velvet Bra – Black
35.00€Sanda Vidmar
Inspired by raw forms and strong statements, Sanda Vidmar creates unique contemporary jewellery that celebrates playful tenderness of the natural world and its organic forms. Designed and handcrafted in her studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia, each piece is made with special attention to detail, embracing the natural imperfections of the hand work.
Shop jewellery by Sanda Vidmar
Sustainability criteria:
– handmade
– organic materials
– ethically-made
– made in EU
Birds Silver Earrings
123.00€Twig Ring Set
188.00€Two Hearts Silver Earrings
100.00€Wild Forest Silver Earrings
175.00€Subscribe & receive 15% off your first order!
Subscribe to our weekly dose of fashion and interior inspiration and be the first to discover emerging designers, new arrivals, special offers and cool stuff like that!
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