Shopping with a Conscience
Author: Kel Tan
These four homegrown fashion labels are kind to both people and planet.
For basics
SOURCE COLLECTIONS
Source Collections makes T-shirts and underwear using sustainable materials like Tencel (a cellulose fibre) and organic cotton. All shirts are made in a factory that has been certified by international non-profit Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production for its ethical standards.
For swimwear
HAIKINI
Fair-trade swimwear label Haikini offers sustainable bikinis handmade by Balinese artisans, who are paid fair wages. Each comes in a pouch crafted from leftover fabric too. As a bonus, they are easy on the wallet, with nothing over SGD 100.
For jewellery
EDEN + ELIE
Dainty, intricate pieces – from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and cufflinks – are hand-woven using materials from reputable ethical producers such as Miyuki, the oldest seed bead manufacturer in Japan. To champion diversity, they also hire artisans from Singapore’s Autism Resource Centre.
GLOSSARY
A brief description of some of the popular terms used to describe sustainable fashion.
Ethical: Refers to fashion that is designed and manufactured in a way that respects the rights of workers, taking into account factors such as wages and working conditions.
Organic: Refers to natural materials that are produced without the use of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals.
Cruelty-free: Refers to fashion that does not contain animal by-products, or that is not tested on animals.
Fair-trade: Refers to an institutional arrangement that helps producers in developing countries receive a fair wage for their work.