Sustainability Sunday: Four Sustainable Local Fashion Brands

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Whether you’re new to sustainable living or a seasoned eco-warrior, we’re here to help you on your journey to Going Green in Beijing. Every week, we’ll bring you China-centric eco-friendly news and tips in our column, Sustainability Sunday!

“It was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, plastic-bottles-made bikini…” Yes, you read that right – a bikini made out of plastic bottles! That’s how far our technology has come these days. And that’s not all it’s capable of. I have three pairs of buttery soft pants hanging in my closet that are made from recycled coffee grounds. Incredible isn’t it?!

Sustainable fashion has spawned new enterprises that utilize various environmentally-friendly practices, from eco-materials and packaging to circular business models in which unwanted clothes are repurposed or recycled. Of course, we would still say that buying and consuming less is the best way to go, but if you’re really in need of a wardrobe update, then here are some local brands you can turn to for more sustainable choices.

NudePeche

Turning PET plastic bottles into fabric threads and then spinning that into comfortable yet sturdy sportswear is what NudePeche is all about. As the brand espouses, “each piece is made from up to 25 recycled post-consumer water bottles.” At the moment, the catalog comprises five pieces – Hardcore Leggings, Essential Shorts, Everyday Leggings, Everyday Top, and Essential Bra – in four wholesome colors. I just bought my first outfit and love how soft it feels. Plus, it ships in no-frills packaging from Shanghai within days of ordering, through the brand’s founder Nika, or on their TaoBao store. Scan the QR code on the poster below for more info.

LOOP Swimwear

Lovers of the ocean rejoice! Loop Swimwear makes beautiful bikinis, rash guards, and swim shorts for adults and kids alike, out of Repreve rPET yarn (again, from post-consumer plastic bottles). In their own words, “We are all about closing the loop on waste and making sure we #ProtectWhatYouLove – especially your skin and our environment. For divers, surfers, swimmers, snorkelers, paddle boarders, and wave jumpers, that environment is our oceans – and our oceans are saturated with plastic pollution.” Loop will also recycle your swimwear at the end of its use!

Zodiac Active

Denim is one of the most problematic aspects of the clothing industry, riddled with unfair labor, poor water, and cotton farming practices. Zodiac Active only sources denim and fabrics from pioneering suppliers who were game-changers on the sustainability landscape in China and in denim. They use 3 percent BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) as standard and other fabrics like organic cotton, linen, and merino wool. The womenswear brand offers hybrid essentials for the modern woman who goes from the office to pilates class, which is precisely why Zodiac Active developed their signature yoga denim pieces. Scan the QR code to check out their shop on Weidian.

NEIWAI

Homegrown Chinese brand NEIWAI (Pronunciation: NAY-WHY. Translation: Inside and Out.) aspires to create lingerie that frees both body and mind. It is less than ten years old but has multiple stores across Beijing. They were lauded for a recent media campaign “No Body is Nobody” that showcased women of various body shapes and skin tones in their store advertisements, which seems to support their brand messaging about ” liberating and empowering women with comfortable, functional clothing which accentuates natural beauty.” As they claim, “we want to help you embrace yourself, inside and out.” Sustainability-wise, the brand uses high quality, eco-friendly materials such as recycled nylon, Supima® Cotton, TENCEL™ Modal, and Spandex, is actively reducing its packaging, and provides washable panty liners! 

Know of more sustainable fashion brands here in China? Let us know in the comments below!

Images: Courtesy of the vendors

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