Designers + Labels

That’s all well and good as a statement, but what does it actually mean?

FASHION AS A FORCE FOR GOOD

Stella McCartney’s signature style of sharp tailoring, natural confidence and sexy femininity has wowed the industry since she launched her eponymous line in 2001. A lifelong vegan, Stella translated her ethical values into her own label – refusing to use fur or leather in an industry built on handbags and shoes – and proving to top houses values and businesses are thriving.
 
Since 2011, Stella McCartney has been working in partnership with Kenya for a portion of her line’s handmade accessories, specifically in screen-printing and tailoring. A new video by Stella McCartney x the Ethical Fashion Initiative showcases a behind the scenes look at the brand’s devotion and positive impact in the region.
 
“5,000 people in Kenya are involved with the Initiative. Ninety percent of them are women, mostly from disadvantaged or isolated communities. Poverty and female inequality can not be eradicated by simply dishing out cash handouts. Instead, they provide employment and support … the empowerment of the women working for us has to be one of the meaningful to me.” – Stella McCartney

150 MILES SEED TO GARMENT

From grow to sew, within 150 miles of their San Francisco Bay area headquarters, the North Face has successfully made a local, GMO-free cotton hoodie almost entirely produced in California.

ROMANTIC. RELAXED. RESORT.

Organic doesn’t ask either/or; it answers both/and. Beauty and ethics. Green and global. These aren’t binaries of opposition. They’re gradients of possible. Prioritizing organic materials, fair labor practices, and ecological awareness, Organic’s supply chain is a prototype that refines and renders those relationships.

FAIR TRADE HOLIDAY COLLABORATION

Mercado Global has collaborated with cosmetics brand MAKE and worker-owned cooperative Opportunity Threads to design a beauty bag. Using traditional weaving methods passed down for generations, Mercado Global created vibrant color textiles while Opportunity Threads constructed the custom finished cosmetic bag.