Sheep Inc sweater comes with an RFID tag so you can watch your sheep grow.
The fashion industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards environmental responsibility and innovation. Here are ten pioneering companies leading this change:
Sheep Inc.
This knitwear brand produces garments with a naturally negative carbon footprint. They source ZQ-certified Merino wool from regenerative farms, ensuring ethical animal treatment and sustainable land management. Utilizing 3D Wholegarment® knitting technology powered by solar energy, they create zero-waste products. Each sweater includes a unique tag allowing customers to trace its origins and environmental impact, fostering transparency and connection to the product’s lifecycle. Visit their website
Sampla:
Sampla vegan shoes. Do they come in green?
Specializing in vegan footwear, Sampla crafts shoes from innovative materials like AppleSkin™, derived from repurposed apple waste from the juice industry. This approach reduces reliance on animal products and utilizes agricultural by-products, minimizing waste. Their designs combine sustainability with contemporary aesthetics, offering eco-friendly alternatives without compromising style. Visit their website
Vivobarefoot:
Focused on minimalist footwear that promotes natural movement, Vivobarefoot uses sustainable materials such as recycled plastics and bio-based alternatives. Committed to regenerative practices, they collaborate with communities to restore natural ecosystems and incorporate circular economy principles by offering repair services and recycling programs for their products. Visit their website
Babaà:
A Spanish brand offering timeless knitwear made from 100% natural materials like cotton and wool. Babaà ensures local production in Spain, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local artisans. By focusing on creating durable, high-quality pieces, they encourage consumers to invest in long-lasting clothing, countering the fast-fashion mentality. Visit their website
Patagonia:
Renowned for its environmental activism, Patagonia integrates sustainability into every aspect of its business. They utilize recycled materials, such as turning discarded fishing nets into gear, and promote organic cotton through their Regenerative Organic Certified Cotton program. Patagonia also donates 1% of sales to environmental causes and encourages customers to repair and reuse products through their Worn Wear program, fostering a circular economy. Visit their website
Reformation:
Prioritizing sustainable fabrics and ethical manufacturing processes, Reformation uses materials like TENCEL™, deadstock, and vintage fabrics, reducing the demand for new resources. Their RefScale tool allows customers to track the environmental impact of their purchases, promoting transparency. Reformation’s factory in Los Angeles operates with sustainable practices and fair wages, ensuring social responsibility alongside environmental consciousness. Visit their website
Allbirds:
Known for comfortable shoes made from natural materials like merino wool and eucalyptus fibers, Allbirds has achieved carbon neutrality by focusing on renewable materials, responsible energy use, and carbon offset programs. Each product includes a carbon footprint label, educating consumers on its environmental impact and encouraging informed purchasing decisions. Visit their website
Stella McCartney:
A Stella McCartney decomposing shoe
A pioneer in sustainable luxury fashion, Stella McCartney avoids the use of leather and fur, opting for innovative materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. The brand emphasizes transparency in its supply chain and collaborates with organizations promoting environmental awareness. By proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist, Stella McCartney sets a high standard for the fashion industry. Visit their website
Eileen Fisher:
Emphasizing simplicity and sustainability, Eileen Fisher uses organic and recycled materials in their designs. Their take-back program encourages customers to return old pieces, which are then upcycled into new creations, promoting a circular fashion model. The brand also prioritizes fair labor practices and supply chain transparency, ensuring ethical production alongside environmental responsibility. Visit their website
Girlfriend Collective:
Offering activewear made from recycled materials like water bottles and fishing nets, Girlfriend Collective uses eco-friendly dyes and ensures ethical manufacturing with fair wages and safe working conditions. Their ReGirlfriend program encourages customers to recycle old products, which are then transformed into new items, closing the loop and reducing textile waste. Visit their website
These companies exemplify how the fashion industry can innovate towards more sustainable and future-forward practices, setting benchmarks for others to follow.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
