Within the realm of fashion and sustainability there is a uprising phenomenal which hails itself from the 1980s-1990s: Knitwear. Now, more than ever, we see a number of brands centered around knitwear through the lens of Eco friendliness. Within each brand, their mission is working with small scale suppliers and working with various materials such as: wool, natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain is an eco-conscious knitwear brand that focuses on sustainability and ethical production practices. Within their brand they strive to create stylish and high-quality knitwear while minimizing their environmental impact. Daisy Chain sources materials responsibly, often involve organic or recycled fibers to reduce their carbon footprint. They prioritize fair labor practices, ensuring that workers throughout their supply chain are treated ethically and paid fairly.
Knitwear within sustainable production of clothing is a driving force within exposing the use of harmful chemicals, water wastage, and energy consumption. Sustainable knits aim to minimize these negative impacts by using eco-friendly materials, reducing water usage, and implementing energy-efficient manufacturing processes. The fashion industry generates a significant amount of waste, from unsold inventory to discarded garments. Sustainable knits prioritize longevity and durability, which can help reduce the frequency of replacing worn-out items and ultimately decrease waste.
PH5
PH5 is a contemporary knitwear brand that combines innovative design with sustainability. Founded in 2014 by Wei Lin and Mijia Zhang, PH5 is known for its playful yet professional approach to knitwear, incorporating vibrant colors, bold patterns, and intricate textures. PH5 utilizes cutting-edge techniques and eco-friendly materials in its production processes, aiming to minimize environmental impact while ensuring high-quality garments. The brand prioritizes ethical manufacturing practices, fostering fair labor conditions and supporting local communities.
Each Brand works towards Ethical Production
While many traditional fashion practices involve exploitative labor conditions in developing countries. Sustainable knits often prioritize fair labor practices, ensuring that workers receive fair wages and operate in safe working conditions. Most of the brands listed have a vast array of price points that can be obtainable. Sustainable knitwear brands often strive to make their products accessible across various price points. While some sustainable knitwear may be priced at a premium due to factors such as quality materials, craftsmanship, and ethical production practices, many brands offer options that are affordable and attainable for a wide range of consumers. This inclusivity allows more people to participate in sustainable fashion and supports the growth of ethical practices within the industry.
Verloop Knits
FOUNDER
Verloopknits is a contemporary knitwear brand that combines traditional knitting techniques with modern designs to create unique and stylish pieces. The brand is known for its commitment to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and production methods wherever possible. Verloopknits offers a wide range of knitwear products including scarves, hats, gloves, socks, and more, all crafted with attention to detail and quality. Their designs often feature vibrant colors, playful patterns, and innovative textures, making them stand out in the world of knitwear fashion.
The Endery
The Endery is a sustainable knitwear brand based in Peru. They specialize in creating handcrafted knitwear pieces using traditional techniques, such as hand looming and hand knitting, passed down through generations of Peruvian artisans. The brand is committed to ethical and environmentally friendly practices, working closely with local communities to support fair wages and promote sustainable livelihoods. One of the unique aspects of The Endery is their focus on upcycling. They source surplus yarn from textile factories and repurpose it into new, one-of-a-kind knitwear creations, reducing waste and minimizing their environmental footprint. Each piece is carefully crafted with attention to detail, resulting in high-quality, durable garments with a distinctively artisanal feel.
There is a Conservation of Resources within each Stitch of fabric and Material
Sustainable knits often utilize recycled materials or organic fibers, which reduces the demand for virgin resources. By conserving resources, sustainable knits contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Through these delicate and sustainable changes within the clothing industry, we can see Purchasing sustainable knits encourages consumers to consider the environmental and social impact of their clothing choices. As consumers become more aware of sustainability issues, they can drive demand for eco-friendly fashion practices, leading to positive changes within the industry. According to, Gitnix: Retail and Shopping Statistics, "In 2021, over 50% of fashion retailers are expected to implement sustainable sourcing strategies. The use of organic cotton in sustainable fashion reduces blue water consumption by 91%. 66% of global consumers say they are willing to pay more for sustainable apparel brands." These statistics underscore the growing awareness and demand for sustainability in the fashion industry. As consumers increasingly prioritize ethical and environmentally friendly practices, fashion retailers are adapting their sourcing strategies to meet these expectations. The shift towards sustainable fashion not only benefits the planet but also reflects a fundamental change in consumer values, signaling a transformative era for the industry.
Carcel
Carcel is a clothing brand with a strong focus on ethical fashion and sustainability. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Carcel was founded with the mission of empowering incarcerated women by providing them with fair wages, dignified employment opportunities, and a chance to rebuild their lives. The brand is renowned for its luxurious knitwear collections, which are handmade by incarcerated women in prisons around the world. These women are provided with training and support to learn the craft of knitting, enabling them to earn a living wage while serving their sentences. Carcel's approach not only helps to address issues of poverty and inequality within the prison system but also offers a path to rehabilitation and reintegration into society for these women.
House of Sunny
House of Sunny is a contemporary fashion brand based in London, UK. Known for its bold and eclectic designs, House of Sunny offers a range of clothing pieces that blend retro aesthetics with modern silhouettes, catering to a youthful and fashion-forward audience.
The brand has gained popularity for its unique take on trend-driven pieces, often incorporating playful textures, vibrant colors, and distinctive prints into their collections. House of Sunny's designs exude a sense of individuality and confidence, appealing to those who are unafraid to make a statement with their style.
In addition to its focus on aesthetics, House of Sunny is committed to sustainability and ethical practices. The brand prioritizes transparency in its supply chain and works with manufacturers who adhere to fair labor standards and environmentally friendly production methods. They also utilize eco-friendly materials and strive to minimize waste throughout the production process.
La Granni
La Granni, a London-based brand, specializes in unisex alpaca knitwear known for its vibrant colors and crafted from the finest Peruvian fibers. Alpaca yarn, renowned for its durability and luxury, has been dubbed the 'Fiber of the Gods' since Inca times. While traditionally used in clothing, La Granni takes a fresh approach by offering gender-neutral, bold alpaca pieces designed for everyone. Rooted in Peruvian craftsmanship and the alpaca production process, La Granni maintains this heritage while infusing modern flair into its designs.Founder Isabella Michell, who spent her formative years in Peru before relocating to England, has a deep connection to alpaca yarn. Inspired by her upbringing and a desire to reinterpret traditional applications, Michell aims to cater to contemporary tastes with long-lasting, modern alpaca pieces. Through La Granni, she seeks to offer an inclusive range that appeals to her own generational style and beyond.
Sheep Inc
At Sheep Inc, every knitted piece narrates a unique journey, commencing with a solitary thread crafted from the fleece of carefully chosen Merino sheep. Through the innovative Connected Dot, an NFC tag seamlessly integrated into the garment's hem, the origin story of each item becomes readily accessible. This groundbreaking technology provides complete transparency, enabling wearers to uncover the narrative behind their attire's genesis with a simple tap of their phone. However, Sheep Inc's ambition extends beyond the creation of exceptional knitwear. Their aim is to revolutionize the fashion industry's environmental stance. Rather than solely offsetting emissions, Sheep Inc endeavors to enact a positive change, committing to removing more CO2 from the atmosphere than their manufacturing processes produce. This forward-thinking approach has propelled Sheep Inc to become the inaugural carbon-negative fashion brand, establishing them as trailblazers in environmental stewardship.
By purchasing sustainable knits, individuals contribute to the collective effort to mitigate the fashion industry's environmental and social impact while supporting brands that prioritize ethical and responsible practices. Look out for transparent supply chains and high-quality knitwear staples. By shopping from these brands, that are not only fashionable but also made to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements and further minimizing their environmental footprint. By purchasing sustainable knits, we can actively contribute to the collective effort to mitigate the fashion industry's environmental and social impact while supporting brands that prioritize ethical and responsible practices. With a growing number of sustainable knitwear brands offering a range of price points, quality, and styles, our generation has ample opportunities to make eco-conscious choices without compromising on style or affordability.
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