In honor of Earth Day this year, we have acknowledged our wide range of brands that continue to participate in sustainable fashion and practices. With many concerns about our Earth and its development, we have a duty to protect the land we inhabit. Many of the larger firms and brands that we carry are full advocates in protecting the planet and minimizing their green footprint. Practices including reducing carbon emissions and utilizing biodegradable and recycled materials are just a few of the earth-friendly practices that these companies are focusing on. Fashion labels including Veja, Nike, Nudie Jeans, Reese Cooper, and more are implementing new practices in hopes to make a change. Our editorial dives deeper into sustainable brands to get a better understanding of their practices and how they are taking care of Mother Earth. 

PUMA 

When Rudolph Dassler founded Puma in 1948, creating the ideal shoe was a top priority. As time went on they found it increasingly important to implement practices that are safe for the planet. With a focus on the future, the brand has 10 goals that they want to achieve by 2025 that will offer better options to the fashion and footwear industries. Some of these goals include biodiversity, water, and air quality, plastic and ocean conservation, and more. They are focused on finding better solutions as they know a big part of their market and audience are sports advocates and utilize outdoor spaces. Puma is committed to providing a healthy ecosystem by constantly improving its processes. 

They have also started working with more sustainable products including organic cotton, polyester, different types of leather, and cardboard in hopes to put less stress on farms. Another ongoing project they are working on entails a collaborative effort with Central Saint Martins as they are immensely involved with reducing waste and preserving the environment. Their partnership includes a line of eco-friendly products that utilize safe practices and materials that are better for the environment. 

VEJA 

Veja’s approach to sustainability is what makes them stand out and integral within the footwear industry. The brand’s attitude is completely transparent as they educate their consumers on safe practices and how they provide for the environment. Some of these initiatives include the use of raw materials like Amazonian rubber and organic cotton. These materials are manufactured in Brazil and Peru as Veja has been committed to fair practices and following regulations in organic farming. They make sure their products aren’t diminishing eco-life by protecting the forest and utilizing harvested rubber by smaller farmers and families. 

Every bit of Veja’s brand is sustainable including their recyclable packaging. This is incredibly important as they have noticed the unfair and diminishing eco-life around the world. Another main goal of Veja is the reduction of carbon emissions; this is easily attainable by the brand as they have their manufacturing and farms all within the same country. Their footwear continues to cultivate the market as they introduce new silhouettes with advanced technology that can put an end to unsafe practices. The ChromeFree leather technology they started to implement within their sneakers is produced in a safe matter that doesn’t contain any chromium, heavy metals, or dangerous acids. Grab a closer look at their latest arrivals here. 

NUDIE JEANS

Combating traditional manufacturing and fast fashion, Nudie Jeans works closely with suppliers to provide sustainable fabrics that will outlast typical designs. Since their initial introduction in 2001, Nudie Jeans has been committed to sustainability as 93% of their fabrics follow organic ordinances, fairtrade rulings, and recyclable practices. They strive to achieve complete sustainability with time but they find it important to continue doing their best and promote eco-friendly applications. This can all be verified as they are transparent online and post their certifications authenticating their execution. From a consumer’s perspective, this provides security and comfort when buying into a product. 

In addition to optimizing fabrication, they harp on the fact that they are dedicated to reducing water consumption and they do this through their organic cotton farming. This practice reduced water consumption by 91% in comparison to conventional cotton. Knowing this impact, the brand has been completely transitioned into producing 100% organic cotton jeans. The fashion label has impacted the world immensely with its direct branding and honest outlook. To get a better look at their products, click here.  

AKILA

The independent eyewear company, Akila, reworks traditional accessories with frames that are biodegradable and plant base. Akila’s attacks on traditional operations are altered in hopes to limit waste. All of their sunglasses utilize a plant-based acetate that is biodegradable over time. This natural bioplastic consists of fibers of cotton and/or wood pulp making it biodegradable and renewable. The acetate is build to last but Akila also offers a program once you have outlived your current style. If you send back your used accessory they are able to donate, reuse, or recycle the products as they hope this will minimize waste and end up in the proper hands. 

Working alongside the natural composition, whenever you purchase a lens from Akila they will plant a tree. They have partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to contribute to restoring healthy forests. It is incredibly important to the brand to practice what they preach and teaming up with Eden Reforestation coincides with their character. To complete the experience, all of Akila’s eyewear comes with a vegan leather pouch that is generated from a singular piece of material which reduces energy consumption. The latest arrivals from Akila can now be explored here. 

ADIDAS 

Adidas has become incredibly vocal about reducing plastic waste as they have introduced new lines and developments that coincide with these principles. One of the main materials that they are utilizing within footwear construction is Primeblue and Primegreen. With similar names, they both have positive effects on the environment. Primegreen is a rendered material Adidas configured that utilizes recycled materials. Whereas Primeblue is a partnership with Parley for the Ocean and the fabric is constructed with recycled plastics that make their way into natural eco-systems.  Adidas has partnered with Parley for many years as their key collaborator to achieve their goals of restoring oceans and creating a plastic-free environment. 

By 2024, Adidas aspire to utilize only recycled polyester in their products along with emphasizing their Better Cotton Initiative which addresses their impact on mainstream cotton farming and the use of harmful gases. The footwear powerhouse is determined to make an impact as they produce new events and initiatives that help the planet. These include marathons, clean-up events, and their latest ‘Own The Game’ project which highlights their latest processes and how sustainability is of key importance. 

NIKE 

Nike has become a worldwide label that fits all styles. Their impact on the planet is incredibly detrimental as they have a wide market to cater to. Knowing the severity of protecting the earth, Nike has changed their practices and developments to support a sustainable way of production. They are completely transparent when it comes to their upcoming projects and goals; they deep dive into the processes within their sustainability report online. Some of their most essential developments include their interception of footwear waste from landfills or incineration which recovers an extraneous amount of energy. They’ve also committed themselves to the reduction of freshwater usage when it comes to dying and is utilizing renewable energy versus typical gas executions. 

They‘ve continued to introduce new products with materials that are recycled which reduce their waste intake and the amount that will be led into natural territories. One of the most sustainable styles from Nike is the Space Hippie. The upper consists of Space Waste Yarn a new development that consists of 85-90% of recycled content from plastic bottles to t-shirt fabrications. The outsole consists of Crater Foam which is constructed with 12% Nike Grind recycled rubber and foam for a more sustainable option that doesn’t alleviate the lightweight and comfortable fit. Any sneaker constructed with Flyknit technology produces 60% less waste than traditional practices which is why Nike has a bigger push with this technology as they want to achieve a goal that helps solve the overall problem. Grab a closer look at Nike’s latest arrivals, here. 

HERON PRESTON

Well respected designer, Heron Preston, has a deep appreciation for the eco-system as many of his collections and styles consider natural concepts and imagery. It is no surprise that Preston finds it integral to practice sustainable options when it comes to clothing and construction. He is immensely vocal on the problem and that his larger mission is to find a better solution to sustainable fashion within the industry. The fashion label has teamed up with many companies to support green deliveries which include the partnership with Tiny Factory to get a better education on recyclable fabrics and the collaboration efforts with the New York Department of Sanitation. This collaboration included garments that have undergone sustainable operations and utilized rendered materials. The brand has also introduced a biodegradable option versus the typical plastic bag containment commonly used in shipping products. Heron Preston can be seen advocating for safer production and materials and strives to find the best solution when it comes to manufacturing. 

1017 ALYX 9SM 

Matthew Williams has been incredibly vocal when it comes to providing premium products in an effective manner. His jewelry and apparel label, 1017 ALYX 9SM, finds it important that their production takes into consideration economic development that respects and protects the environment at the same time. The brand constantly pushes sustainable uses by including organic cotton and upcycled yarn within its garments and collections. They are able to obtain this practice by teaming up with Recover Tex which allows them to use upcycled textiles within their developmental processes. Recover Tex offers a chemical-free and waterless production which reduces their carbon footprint. 

1017 ALYX 9SM operations are now consisting of safer and water-reduced dying treatments. This new technology also coincides with their improvements in recycled apparel and their biodegradable packaging. Drawing an emphasis on these actions really speaks volumes as they have cornered a part of high fashion and are immensely popular. As their brand continues to grow, they continue to introduce new options that are safer for the environment and produce less waste in the long run. To get a better understanding of how products are created, ALYX has started a blockchain project; allowing customers to scan a QR code that shows the blueprint of the garment’s development. ALYX is committed to being as transparent as possible to implement change in the fashion industry. Explore the latest arrivals from ALYX, here.

READYMADE 

Japanese fashion label, ReadyMade, became popular due to its unconventional take on high fashion. Designer and founder of the brand Yuta Hosokawa works with vintage army gear and reimagines them to fit modern trends. The option of upcycling second-hand garments is an important process as many don’t realize that this is another way of being sustainable. The brand reduces its use of energy immensely in comparison to other fast-fashion labels. Because they don’t utilize fabrics that are built from scratch, they are able to reduce water usage and their carbon footprint. Also, each garment, accessory, and lifestyle product is crafted by hand. ReadyMade eliminates the use of big manufacturers and contributes minimal emissions. Yuta Hosokawa prides himself on the unique designs but also the processes he follows to produce them. 

REESE COOPER 

The young designer known as Reese Cooper is devoted to the growth and development of mother nature. It is a fundamental part of the brand’s aesthetic as they highlight many natural landscapes and draw inspiration from outdoor themes. With this in mind, Cooper takes pride in being transparent and allowing consumers to understand what they are buying into. A majority of his creations follow organic principles including natural cotton consumption and safe practices when it comes to garment dyeing. The environment is just one of the brand’s core ethos and they contribute a majority of their revenue to support organizations that follow these values. 

Create Now, Kids in Need Foundation, Summaeeverythang, Flint Kids, and FSC are the main organizations that they partner with but the main foundation they continue to support is One Tree Planted. Every item sold from Reese Cooper is matched in a donation to save and protect the planet. One Tree Planted is committed to preventing deforestation and protecting natural landscapes. Reese Cooper is devoted to saving the world we live in and continues to use his platform to shine a light on nature’s beauty and how to preserve it. Reese Cooper’s latest arrivals can now be explored, here. 

A-COLD-WALL 

Making its debut in 2015, A-Cold-Wall is the brainchild of prolific designer Sam Ross. His non-traditional entry to fashion landed him a spot upon top brands as his unique styles became highly desirable. Knowing his impact and how he could use his platform for the greater good, Ross continuously harps on implementing sustainable practices when it comes to styling and manufacturing. He has become very candid about the problems the industry faces and hopes to nail them head-on throughout time. 

Within the collections, we see the use of organic materials and textiles within his works. Along with the materials, the use of water reducing process is prominent when the items are treated with color. Recently the brand has teamed up with Nike to showcase a recycled version of the beloved Air Force 1. The modern take on the signature shoe had a positive outcome as many understand and support the use of eco-friendly practices. A Cold Wall implements the ideology throughout the brand as a philosophy and lifestyle.