Earth Day is a movement dedicated to protecting and educating people about the importance of the environment. However, some of the most influential luxury brands have already embraced an eco-friendly approach to fashion. Diesel, Marni and Viktor&Rolf are but a few brands helping people all over the world by developing impoverished regions; iconic British designer Vivienne Westwood has also been active for many years in campaigning to preserve the rainforests and attending anti-fracking events. And now it’s your turn.
By Jemma Walker
Fashion, beauty and jewellery brands are making it easy for everyone to work towards a brighter future by using ethically sourced precious stones, sustainable materials and natural resources in their products. Stella McCartney is a life-long vegetarian acclaimed for her devotion to cruelty-free fashion – with strict anti-leather and anti-fur rules in both her clothing and accessory collections. Earlier this year at Paris Fashion Week the designer caused ripples with an abundance of ‘fur-free fur’ taking to the autumn/winter runway, proving that fashion can be animal friendly (the shaggy coats stole the show, and the headlines). Stella said afterwards that ‘modern fake fur looks so much like real fur, that the moment it leaves the atelier no one can tell it’s not the real thing’. Her message is simple: consumers should embrace the modern era of environment protecting outerwear.
When it comes to our diets, everyone knows organic is best, so why not take the same approach to what you’re using on your skin? Some of our favourite beauty brands treasure natural ingredients for skincare, make-up and haircare, and Beauty Counter goes one step further with ‘The Never List’. Not only does it outline the unnatural and harmful ingredients they never use, it also offers advice on what to avoid when indulging in your newest go-to lipstick. The innovative brand expels animal fats, coal tar hair dyes and ethanolamine for products that protect your skin and everything around you. The Tint Skin Complexion Coverage is a pore diffusing tinted moisturiser full of vitamin-infused fruits and hydrating elements – it also happens to be one of Gucci Westman’s favourite products.
Diamonds, of course, are a girl’s best friend but sourcing them is often a moral conundrum. Some brands have committed their time to promoting responsible practices within the jewellery industry to tackle the trade of conflict and blood diamonds. Brilliant Earth has a mission to create sustainable jewellery with ethically sourced diamonds and with Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie championing ‘friendly-jewels’ it’s a trend that’s sure to continue.
If you haven’t heard of SVILU then know that it’s a brand which is ethical to the very core, using environmentally sensitive organic cotton, Tencel made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, and soft Modal from beech trees. The plethora of beautiful designs are also created without causing an impact on the environment. The spring/summer collection is full of sustainable staples for the modern woman with pops of colour.
One brand that creeps into everyone’s beauty routine is L’Occitane en Provence. Known for replenishing pores with their range of skincare products sourced from Provence, the skin-saviour supports the cultivating of almond trees, preserves rare flower species and encourages the growth of lavender. Some of our favourite products include the eco-friendly Savon Bonne Mére soap and with refillable versions of shower oils, shampoos and conditioners especially launched for Earth Day. They’re certainly doing their bit for the world around us.
