Fashionably Sustainable, Sustain-ably Fashionable

It’s all about looking and feeling good!

All of us have questions when we’re shopping for some new threads — Does it look good? Will it fit? Does my butt look big in it? Granted, we all do. But many like me also want to know if the garment was sustainably put together, if it was constructed using eco-friendly practices, and if the craftsmen were paid a fair wage. I’m sometimes teased about being so granola about clothing, as sustainable fashion often carries the negative stigma of being uncool.

But is it so hard to be stylish, and be sustainable?

Imagine my joy, when I found a bunch of designers who source fabrics and materials from traditional craftsman in villages across Asia, Africa, and South America; or recycling rubber tires for shoe soles; or reclaiming wood for eyeglass frames. The products are beautiful, and values uncompromised. Wahey!

This research of mine led me to Modavanti, a sustainable fashion platform created by David Dietz and Jesse Ayala that makes it simple for consumers to buy stylish and sustainable products (albeit in US, Australia or Europe for now), while consciously supporting values they believe in. All products on the platform feature a story of its provenance, and its social and environmental impact on the larger community. The site’s signature badge system helps shoppers filter products across “wellness” standards — Fair Trade, Recycled, Vegan, Eco-Friendly, Organic, Zero Waste, and Artisan — that also serves as the site’s guiding principles.

One is painfully aware that close to 85% of textile waste ends up in landfills. Therefore, keeping this in mind, David and Jesse went a step further and created Modacycle, a recycling program that offers $20 credit for anyone who sends them their old clothes for recycling.

Visit the store here.

Here’s a sample of the kind of designers and brands that Modavanti is promoting.

Indosole

With a five year reputation of re-purposing waste tires into soles for footwear, Indosole has taken resourceful fashion to the next level. Their designers have teamed up with Indonesian batik specialists and worked overtime to incorporate this one-of-a-kind fabric into our shoes and apparel.

Catch the inspiring video story and visit the store.

Bôhten

Nana Boateng Osei, Founder of Bôhten, had the initiative to use reclaimed material to manufacture an eco-luxury eyewear line. He draws inspiration from his Ghanaian roots, from his love of nature but mostly from his late grandfather Andrew Hanson Osei, who was Ghana’s first land surveyor in the 60s. The Bôhten’s manufacturing process starts with reclaimed wood from the heart of West Africa. The lightweight eyeglasses are designed in Canada and handcrafted in a zero-waste facility. The frames are protected by a water resistant protective varnish. The design and the production team is working towards pushing the boundaries to introduce timeless designs.

Catch Nana Osei’s interview or visit the store for more information.

Sword & Plough

Sword & Plough’s goal is to emotionally and physically touch civilians in their everyday lives. They aim to remind them, in a beautiful way, of the challenges our country and veterans face, and the power that every person has to help. Not only is Sword and Plough made in America using repurposed military surplus, they give a percentage of each sale to charity. They also employ veterans to help them get on back on their feet and learn valuable skills.

Catch their inspiring story here, or visit the store.

Share your thoughts on sustainable fashion and products that bring meaning and goodness to our lives and the world around us.