Every day can be Earth Day
Since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated yearly on April 22. The date also marks Fashion Revolution Week, created to commemorate the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, when more than 1,100 people were killed in the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh. Both dates are a way of reiterating the importance of sustainability for an industry that is notoriously bad in that regard: sustainability in terms of the materials and processes used to create our clothing, but also in terms of the people who make them. Rebecca Tay discovers five pieces by brands that are doing things a tiny bit better for the sake of our future.
BUDGET BUY
A good, wear-everywhere hat can be hard to come by, so this 100 per cent recycled wool `Festival' style by Vancouver brand Tentree is a strong contender. And did we mention that Tentree plants 10 trees for every single purchase? To date, they've planted over 50 million trees, with a goal to hit 1 billion by 2030. Hats off to that.
Tentree, tentree.ca | $50
GOOD JEANS
You already know Reformation for its hyper-instagrammed dresses made from surplus fabric, and now, they've expanded their eco credentials with Good Earth Denim, a six-piece collection of climate positive denim — meaning the process in which it's made absorbs more carbon than it releases. The capsule, which includes the `ponce' shade of these `Cynthia' highrise jeans, features Fibretrace technology, which embeds scannable, luminescent pigments into the fabric so you can trace the entire life cycle of each pair. Reformation, thereformation.com | $182
REVOLVE AROUND
We've all seen those pieces that claim to be able to be worn six different ways — just watch the Youtube video to see how — only to be sorely disappointed. Not so with the Revolve dress by Toronto brand Encircled. Designed by founder Kristi Soomer to be worn as a top, tunic or dress, it actually works as each, thanks to a reversible neckline and soft, stretchy, plant-based modal that's Oeko-tex 100 Certified, meaning it's sustainably sourced and contains no harmful substances. Best of all, Encircled is a Certified B. Corp company — proof that it puts planet and people before profits.
Encircled, encircled.ca | $170
TROPICAL TOUCH
We're pretty impressed with the range of bio-based, vegan leathers out there, which are made of everything from mycelium, which is basically the root systems of mushrooms, to apples and even flowers. Now, for Earth Day 2021, Quebec company Rose Buddha has released a tote bag which is partly made from pineapple leaf fibres. We love the slightly crinkly texture and how it's a great style for everyday wear — then, at the end of its life, just remove the magnet closure and it can be composted. Rose Buddha, myrosebuddha.com | $145
SOFT AND FUZZY
We don't always think of the impact on the planet of natural textiles — we simply assume that they're `better' than polyester or other synthetic materials — but it's an important consideration. Enter Club Monaco's `Everywhere Cashmere' recycled cashmere collection, which features hoodies, sweaters and tops in gorgeous hues and pretty stripes, all spun from reclaimed cashmere remnants. Club Monaco, clubmonaco.com | $298