With the UN recently announcing that humanity has missed the 1.5°C climate target, we’re reminded to examine the industries contributing most to the crisis — and fashion is among the biggest culprits. The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water globally and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions. But the environmental cost is only part of the story. Over two billion animals are killed annually for wool, fur, and leather, while garment workers in developing nations face unsafe conditions and poverty wages in the relentless push for fast, cheap production.
The good news? Meaningful change is well underway. Brands across the world are stepping up with genuine alternatives that address the impacts of fashion on animals, people, and the climate. In the spirit of World Vegan Day, here are five names proving that ethics and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive:
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Immaculate Vegan is one of the world’s leading vegan marketplaces, curating products from more than 130 carefully selected labels. Since launching in 2019, their goal has been to prove that shoppers don’t need to compromise on their values for their wardrobe. Immaculate Vegan has a rigorous selection process: every item of a chosen brand must be completely animal-free and crafted using sustainable materials, from natural fibres like organic linen and hemp to innovative alternatives like Mirum, the world’s first plastic-free leather substitute. They only partner with brands committed to responsible production and fair labour practices, including living wages and transparent supply chains. Beyond meeting ethical standards, brands must also offer contemporary aesthetics and quality craftsmanship. Browse their sleek, elegantly designed website here.
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Founded in 2018 by three vegans struggling to find stylish animal-free fashion online, Netherlands-based Shop Like You Give a Damn has grown into Europe’s largest vegan marketplace. Now featuring over 19,000 products from 200 European brands, the platform operates on five core values: vegan, fair, sustainable, inclusive, and social. Behind the scenes, they use 32 detailed criteria to vet every brand they work with, ensuring genuine impact rather than greenwashing. What started as a solution to hidden leather labels and unexpected wool blends has become a movement to make ethical shopping more accessible for everyone.
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Founded in London in 2018 by longtime friends Para Hamilton and Shafiq Hassan, Ninety Percent lives up to its name by distributing 90% of annual profits between the people who make their collections (10%) and five rotating charitable causes (80%) chosen by customers. Each garment contains a unique label allowing wearers to vote for causes, currently spanning wildlife conservation, children’s education, conflict relief and women’s empowerment. Beyond profit-sharing, the brand prioritises impact reduction. Collections use GOTS-certified organic cotton, TENCEL™, and linen produced in zero-wastewater facilities, while their Bangladesh factory provides workers and their families with comprehensive health insurance. It’s a truly inspiring and revolutionary model.
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Founded in 2002 by Alice Asquith, this London-based pioneer has been crafting eco-friendly activewear for yoga, Pilates, and beyond for over two decades. Asquith’s philosophy prioritises pieces built to last over fleeting trends: their signature fabrics include bamboo, organic cotton, and their patented Bambor® blend, chosen for being naturally breathable, anti-bacterial, and exceptionally soft against the skin. All collections are manufactured in GOTS-certified factories in Turkey and India that meet rigorous social and environmental standards through Sedex audits. These are versatile, timeless pieces that move seamlessly from studio to street.
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This female-founded, female-run business makes activism wearable. All apparel uses vegan materials and dyes, produced in sweatshop-free facilities with zero-waste and biodegradable packaging policies. But it’s the broader mission that stands out: championing equality for women and marginalised communities through partnerships with causes like Bloody Good Period, which fights for menstrual equity for displaced people and those in poverty. The Spark Company’s fun collections span Witchy, Pride, and Pop Culture themes, with no shortage of options for slogan tee lovers.
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