Writing by Wen H. Photo by Dim Gunger
FEBRUARY 12, 2022
How could you deliver your everlasting love to the one you love most? These sustainable well-made products could be what you’re looking for if you would like to deliver your love through a minimalistic aesthetic gift. These creators’ love for the earth and their persistence in the use of sustainable materials are the same as your deep love for your partners. If you are looking for a romantic gift, buy smart, pursue circular brands, and use them for good.
Gerbase
Image via Gerbase
“Every stitch, fold and fastening is carefully considered. The result is intuitive; emotional; philosophical; intimate. Designed to play a part in a life well lived.”
WHO:
London-based womenswear brand.
MATERIALS:
Only the highest quality materials are selected, and the source is fully traceable and animal friendly in order to give priority to life, emphasizing discovery, design, repair, and ultimately recycling. The brand aims for complete transparency, creating a model which is sustainable both for people and the environment. All materials of Gerbase, such as polyester and nylon are certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and 100% organic cotton using. The information is noted on their website.
INSIGHTS:
Minimalistic aesthetic with the female vibe, there is strength as well as grace in her garments, 柔中帶剛 [róu zhōng yǒu gāng] in mandarin, I’d describe Gerbase in this way. The feature of the brand design allows an unlimited number of unique explanations. The layer can be worn alone, which can expose the skin below, or it can be hidden in layers to form functional opacity.
Prada Re-Nylon
“Our ultimate goal will be to convert all Prada virgin nylon into Re-Nylon by the end of 2021. This collection allows us to make our contribution and create products without using new resources.”
WHO:
A Milan Italy-based brand. Prada Re-Nylon project launched six sustainable well made and classic pieces in 2019. Since then, they have been developing into the latest collection with a combination of the original concept with a statement of sustainability.
MATERIALS:
According to Prada Group, the textile yarn producer, Aquafil, has invested heavily in ground-breaking research and development of sustainable materials, producing new from old. ECONYL® is a regenerated-nylon yarn that can be recycled an infinite number of times without affecting the quality of the material. ECONYL® yarn is made of recycling discarded plastic that has been collected from landfill sites and oceans across the whole planet.
INSIGHTS:
Prada fans would be very pleased to know their loved brand is contributing to green fashion. However, we here, at the beginning of 2022, are also interested to know further updated reports about their achievement from Prada, have they covered all of Prada’s virgin nylon into Re-Nylon by the end of 2021 already?
Marine Serre
“Regeneration” is the definition of MARINE SERRE
WHO:
Marie Serre is an avant-garde brand from Paris.
MATERIALS:
Through many transparent making processes documentary videos, it is easy to understand Marine Serre’s green fashion core. The sustainable development model is to adhere to the value principle of remaking, innovating, and reusing old materials at the end of life. The development process reduces a lot of waste and adapts to respect the current situation of resources, and finally “repair the old and make use of the waste” gives it new vitality.
INSIGHTS:
In June 2019, Marine Serre was rated rather poorly by Good On You. However, through all the videos highlighted by them, we can clearly see their efforts in trying to achieve a green model. Old materials can leave shoppers with an unflattering and dubious husky feel, but Marine Serre brings a unique combination into her garments, each with its own green circular story. The combination makes meaningful sustainability awareness to all buyers.
Live the Process
Image via Live the Process
“The road to sustainability is not always linear or obvious. Each choice begets other potential obstacles and solutions. As of now, there is no such thing as fully sustainable fashion, but we pledge to continue to evolve and come as close as we can.”
WHO:
California-based and sustainably made womenswear brand launched in 2013.
MATERIALS:
Live The Process have been using recycled cashmere, recycled polyester, cotton sourced under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) to reduce the footprint of production and lightweight knits created via the Recycle to the up-cycle initiative. Also, they make sure that the root materials are non-toxic and safe to wear against your skin. They are proud of their recycled packaging materials and 1 % for the planet scheme, which means they will be donating 1% to The Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots non-profit focused on protecting and preserving the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches.
INSIGHTS:
Last updated in July 2020, Good On You gave them “not good enough” to both the environment rating and labour rating. Live The Process responded to this by saying “Our knits are made in China, as their yarn technology is not yet available in the States.” They are investigating more carbon-neutral shipping options. However, on the surface perspective of design aesthetic, I’d say their activewear garments are very suitable for people who work from home, a great combination of smart casual outfits, chic design and comfortable-at-home wearing. You will not feel unformed when you are in a zoom meeting. Avantelier is going to keep observing their sustainable improvement in the future.
Lara Intimates
Image via Lara Intimates
“Environmental sustainability and local production are core to everything we do at Lara Intimates.”
WHO:
Sustainable women’s underwear brand, produced locally in the UK, launched in 2017.
MATERIALS:
Using recycled fabrics and plastic-free, recyclable packaging is common sustainable approach we all can see from green fashion label brands. Lara Intimates is no exception as well. Their material isn’t the only thing green and circular about the collections, but they also prioritise employee wellbeing.
INSIGHTS:
Two things featured on their website, Lara Intimates is proud to offer the widest size range of non-wired, eco-friendly bras in the world. And in 2021, Lara Intimates became certified carbon neutral in partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain.
