Empowering the Future: 5 Women-Owned Sustainable Brands Leading the Charge
Welcome to a world where conscious consumerism meets women empowerment!
Now, more than ever, we feel the urgency to make a change as we see the effects mankind is leaving on planet earth. If you’re anything like me, you feel a sense of responsibility and want to actively be part of the change.
In this article, we’ll delve into the realm of sustainable living and celebrate the creativity, tenacity, and innovation of women entrepreneurs who have forged a path toward a greener and more equitable future. These trailblazing brands embody the essence of sustainability, championing eco-friendly practices while empowering women to take charge of their lives and businesses.
Let’s embark on a journey through five remarkable women-owned sustainable brands that are redefining success and leaving a positive mark on the world.
Founded in 2012, Harvest & Mill makes organic cotton clothing that is entirely grown and milled in the USA. Designed in their Berkeley studio and sewn in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, California, all their organic basics come with only natural dyes or unbleached — and all products come in plastic-free, compostable packaging.
Natalie Patricia founded the company because she believed there must be a better way of making clothing. By supporting their USA organic cotton farmers, American heritage mills and the local sewing community, Harvest & Mill is rebuilding supply chains based on ecological and ethical principles.
Los Angeles-based Proclaim makes beautiful bras, underwear, and basics from lower-impact materials like recycled plastic bottles and TENCEL. In case you’re wondering (as I was), TENCEL is a brand name for a set of fibers called lyocell and modal. These fibers are known for feeling super soft and are widely used in sustainable fashion. Proclaim’s designs come in three shades of “nude,” building inclusivity into the brand. It also ensures the people in its California factory earn a living wage, while regularly visiting their suppliers.
Sobha Philips founded Proclaim in 2017 because she was tired of not being able to find a nude bra that matched her brown skin. Proclaim is founded on the principles that fashion should represent all women and can be made in a way that does good for people and the planet.
Two Days Off
Two Days Off was initially founded as a climate conscious clothing brand, but has since expanded its range of products to accessories, home goods and more. Prioritising deadstock and biodegradable materials, the brand’s limited pieces are long-wearing or long-lasting and thoughtfully designed.
Founder of Two Days Off Gina Stovall worked in the sustainability climate change world for over a decade and decided to launch her own brand when she realized it was time to re-evaluate her own lifestyle. Two Days Off, a carbon-neutral lifestyle brand that’s ethically and sustainably made, was born.
Every piece of ARTICLE22 jewellery is locally handcrafted in Laos using recycled materials from Vietnam War bombs, plane parts, military hardware, and other aluminium scraps.
Founder Elizabeth Suda met artisans in a rural village melting US bombs into spoons. Having studied history at Williams College and Oxford University, she was surprised by her lack of awareness of the Secret War in Laos (1963-1974) which left a legacy of 80 million unexploded bombs. Recognising that market access and design are major constraints on artisans, she founded ARTICLE22.
Loop Swim is a brand that transforms post-consumer use plastic bottles into phenomenal REPREVE UP50+ sun protective swimwear for men, women, and kids. Here’s another word for us all to learn: REPREVE. It is the trusted, branded recycled performance fiber used to make sustainable textiles with wicking, odor control, water resistance, and more.
Loop founders Itee Soni and Heather Kaye met in Shanghai in 2008. At the time, they were both completely fed up with the unnecessary waste they saw being generated first-hand by the fashion industry. So, they decided to do something about it and launched Loop Swim.
Fun fact: It takes 12 recycled PET bottles to make a beautiful one-piece bathing suit. That’s 12 bottles saved from landfill and kept out of our oceans.
The women-owned sustainable brands we’ve explored are more than just businesses; they are the embodiment of a global movement towards a brighter, greener future. These visionary entrepreneurs inspire us to be mindful of our choices and the impact we have on the planet. By supporting women-owned sustainable brands, we empower a cycle of positive change that reverberates through communities and ecosystems worldwide.
As consumers, let us vote for the world we want with every purchase and join these trailblazers in shaping a more sustainable and equitable tomorrow.
