Beyond Big Brands: Ethical and Independent Labels You Need to Know

While it’s great to see more people question the environmental footprint of the items they buy, it can sometimes be difficult to know which companies are genuinely striving to make a difference and which are out to jump on the eco trend to make a profit. The risk of greenwashing is high when it comes to sustainability, so how do you know that the companies you’re buying from are actually ethical? Here, we’ll explore some of the smaller ethical labels and businesses you should look to when adding sustainable clothing to your wardrobe.

Shaku

Shaku is a brand deeply committed to responsibility, conscious quality, and unconditional respect, guiding them to embrace the slow fashion mentality. Slow fashion at Shaku means responsible manufacturing, the use of natural materials, ethical labour practices, and creating timeless, durable accessories such as scarves, hair bands, and homeware.

Their designs are crafted primarily from natural threads such as silk, cashmere, and cotton, avoiding the use of polyesters. This approach ensures that each Shaku piece is unique and minimises textile waste through limited edition production runs, where discarded materials are repurposed as secondary raw materials. Adhering to a stringent Code of Ethics, Shaku’s manufacturers uphold high standards of social responsibility and fair labour rights, aiming for the highest standards and corporate certifications to guarantee an ethical working environment free from exploitation.

Thought

With a range of women’s and men’s clothing to choose from, Thought creates eco-friendly clothing that’s made from environmentally friendly materials such as cotton, bamboo and hemp. With a host of certifications to back up their eco-credentials, from adhering to International Labour Organisation standards to being an Ethical Trading Initiative member, and using FairTrade certified materials, you can feel good about purchasing wardrobe staples from this company.

They’ve also partnered with TRAID to make the process of donating unwanted, pre-loved clothing easier and more accessible. Thought’s products are shipped in zero plastic packaging and they also make use of upcycled fabrics and sustainable yarns in their manufacturing, so it’s also a great choice for vegan-friendly items.

Komodo

Despite being a brand promoting sustainability since the ‘80s, you may not have heard of Komodo but they’re a company that strike the perfect balance between classic elegance and laid-back casual. From sourcing wool from non-mulesed sheep and choosing GOTS certified fabrics like cotton, hemp and linen, to using renewable energy in their manufacturing processes, Komodo considers sustainability in every aspect of their processes.

Another layer to Komodo’s sustainability is that they prioritise workers over profits, making sure its suppliers pay a living wage to workers for fairer labour. Their garments are produced in factories in Indonesia, Slovakia, India, China and Kathmandu, and are businesses that Komodo has worked with closely for decades, forming strong partnerships from an ethical standpoint.

KOHR

KOHR is a distinguished slow fashion brand that designs and manufactures its products in-house. Committed to responsible innovation, KOHR focuses on three main principles: longevity, versatility, and traceability. These principles ensure that each piece not only lasts but also adapts to various styles and maintains transparency in production processes. By designing and manufacturing in-house using macro trends—trends that last up to 10 years—KOHR creates timeless basics that elevate wardrobes and withstand the test of time.

Understanding that carbon neutrality is no longer sufficient, KOHR strives to be climate positive. This means not just reducing their environmental impact but actively contributing positively to the planet. Their products are made-to-order in the UK from GOTS-certified organic, ethically produced, and deadstock materials, ensuring high environmental and ethical standards are maintained. KOHR’s commitment to sustainability is further highlighted by their Good On You accreditation.

Mayamiko

Mayamiko is a standout brand in the world of ethical and sustainable fashion, renowned for its Malawi-based responsible production. This is a brand that takes its commitment to fair trade seriously, producing a stunning collection of fashion and accessories that feature textiles and silhouettes sourced from Africa, Asia, and Italy. As a PETA-certified vegan brand, Mayamiko is dedicated to creating vibrant, colourful clothing without compromising on their ethical standards.

A leading advocate for better labour rights, Mayamiko ensures that its production processes adhere to fair trade principles. The brand has also established the Mayamiko Trust, a charity focused on training and empowering disadvantaged women within the community. This initiative not only supports local artisans but also promotes sustainable economic development. By choosing Mayamiko, consumers can support a brand that prioritises ethical production, worker’s rights, and community empowerment.

Greater sustainability in clothing production is only ever a good thing, and something that more brands should be striving for. There are many pillars of sustainability to consider when assessing how ethical a brand is, from the materials they use and how environmentally friendly they are, to the use of animal products like leather, fur or shearling, and also whether workers are treated fairly across the entire supply chain.

Another aspect of ethical companies is the use of resources and energy management – is a brand making attempts to reduce their carbon emissions and how successfully are they doing this? With the fashion industry one of the top polluters globally, it’s more important than ever that we’re more discerning as consumers when choosing where to spend our money.

By Dakota Murphey

Image by Maksim Goncharenck – pexels.com