As the fashion industry grapples with its environmental impact, UK-based brands and consumers are increasingly turning to sustainable materials. 

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From plant-based leathers to traditional fibres produced sustainably, the UK is at the forefront of the green revolution with these new eco-friendly materials.

What Are The Sustainable Materials Currently Available To The Fashion Industry?

Sustainable fashion is no longer a niche in the UK – it is a growing movement. With environmental concerns on the rise, UK-based brands, designers, and consumers are prioritising eco-friendly materials that are both stylish and conscious of the planet. Whether you are a fashion entrepreneur or a conscious consumer, here is a guide to the best eco-friendly materials currently shaping the UK's fashion industry.

1. Organic Cotton

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Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilisers and uses significantly less water than conventional cotton. Organic production supports healthier soil and results in fabric suitable for sensitive skin. Organic cotton is certified by standards like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which guarantees compliance with environmental and social criteria, protecting not only the planet but also the rights and well-being of all workers.

Many UK sustainable fashion brands, including Lucy & Yak, Finisterre and Yes Friends, rely on organic cotton to reduce their environmental footprint.

2. Hemp

Hemp is a low-impact crop requiring minimal water and no pesticides. It is naturally durable and breathable, perfect for year-round clothing. Its fast-growing nature makes it one of the most sustainable natural fibres.

3. Organic Linen

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Produced for millennia, linen has lost much of its popularity with the rise of cotton, but it remains one of the most sustainable fabrics brands can choose. Linen is produced from flax, a crop that does not require extensive irrigation or pesticides, and it is completely biodegradable when not dyed. The natural colour range of untreated linen includes ecru and beige, soft shades that add a touch of sophistication to this breathable and durable fabric.

4. TENCEL™ (Lyocell)

TENCEL™, made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, is produced in a closed-loop process that reuses water and solvents. It is silky-smooth, biodegradable, and a great alternative to synthetic fabrics.

5. Piñatex®

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Piñatex® is a plant-based leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibres produced by Ananas Aman. It provides a second income for farming communities and helps reduce agricultural waste. Piñatex® is a cruelty-free, flexible and durable material that can be debossed and embellished with embroideries, making it suitable for sustainable bags and footwear.

6. Recycled Polyester And Recycled Nylon

Recycled polyester, made from post-consumer waste like plastic bottles, helps reduce landfill and carbon emissions. It uses up to 59% less energy than virgin polyester. Similarly, recycled nylon made from old fishing nets and textiles is being used across UK fashion brands.

7. Kelsun®

Kelsun® is an innovative material developed by Keel Labs from seaweed. This new sustainable material is made from seaweed-derived biopolymers, and it can be transformed into yarns and fabrics, finding application in many sectors, including apparel. The resulting fabric is biodegradable, non-toxic, flame-resistant and anti-bacterial. Using textiles and materials derived from algae can be extremely beneficial to the environment, as seaweed absorbs CO2 like trees, but it grows at a fast pace without the need for pesticides or fresh water.

8. Innovative UK-Based Sustainable Clothing Materials

BioSequin®: developed by Radiant Matter, these fully biodegradable, non-toxic and plastic-free sequins are made from cellulose and first debuted in 2023 with the first all-sparkly jumpsuit by designer Stella McCartney and worn by Cara Delevingne.

BioPuff®: a cruelty-free, plant-based thermal insulation developed from bulrush seed heads by Ponda. Its lightness, warmth and water-repellent properties make it a great alternative to feathers and synthetic filling material.

9. British Wool And Regenerative Farming

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UK fashion is reconnecting with its agricultural roots. Labels like Herd, Navygrey, and Lake District Tweed are investing in soft, high-quality British wool and local leather tanneries. This promotes biodiversity, regenerates land, and supports rural communities.

Sustainable Bonus Choice: The UK's Upcycling Movement

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In the UK, there are a number of organisations committed to collecting and repurposing unwanted clothing and fabric scraps, as well as initiatives to promote fashion swaps and educate the community. While brands like World Secrets, Helen Kirkum, Spilt Milk and Pikol Clothing are turning discarded textiles into stylish fashion as a counter-movement to fast-fashion culture.

From shoes crafted from antique rugs to shirts made from repurposed tablecloths, upcycling breathes new life into forgotten fabrics.

Conclusion

The UK's fashion industry is embracing a variety of eco-friendly materials, from traditional fibres like wool and linen to innovative alternatives like Piñatex® and BioSequins®. By choosing these sustainable options, brands and consumers alike can contribute to a more environmentally responsible future in fashion.

Press pause and breathe deeply. Reach a calm state of mind with "In The Zen", the newest New Earthy Nail Polish collection.

Nature changes all around us suggesting it is a new season. It is a new season for your nails as well with the newest WonderFall Collection by Earthy Nail Polish.

Are you waiting for the summer season for a nice swim? The wait can be long, but Pink House Mustique is ready with its newest sustainable swimwear collection for men and kids.

Whether you started the year with Veganuary and want to get fully into veganism or you just want to find an animal-friendly alternative for your shoes, V.GAN could be the way.

Leading Australian bridal giant, Grace Loves Lace, is ready to launch its new eco wedding dress on the sweetest day of the year, Valentine's day.

Whether it has been a long day at work or a cosy day at home, you should always look after your skin. Having a favourite moisturiser or hair mask which becomes a staple in your bathroom, is going to make you feel better. So just relax, and debrief on your day as we go through some necessities.

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Our favourite items from The Body Shop are going to help your skin appear, smoother, younger and clearer. Pair them with our top tips to get the best out of your skin.

1. The Almond & Honey Body Butter

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A soothing and thick moisturiser that really does butter up your body as it gives the illusion of silky skin. The scent has nutty, creamy notes and it lingers on your body for days. What more could you want than a product which is going to help nourish your skin, as well as make you smell great for days on end? The same scent also defines other products like shower creams, exfoliators and soaps.

Links to products: Almond Milk & Honey Exfoliating Cream Scrub | Almond Milk & Honey Shower Cream - The Body Shop®

2. The Japanese Cherry Blossom Kiss EdT

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A beautiful spray edition for springtime. The fragrance is very light, which is perfect for warmer weather. It is a fruity scent infused with notes of strawberries, amber and peony. Smother your body in the matching shower gel or body lotion, and spray with the eau de toilette for a longer-lasting smell.

Links to products: Japanese Cherry Blossom Strawberry Kiss Eau De Toilette 50ML  | Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower Gel - The Body Shop®

3. Hand Creams

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Especially during a time when you are washing and sanitising your hands more than ever, you need to remember to take care of them. Hand sanitisers are known for drying out your skin and they can also cause blisters in some cases. Therefore, The Body Shop hand creams are going to be a lifesaver, making a perfect balance with soaps, gels and sanitisers. These hand creams come in various scents, so you have many options, whether to match with your existing scent or to try something new.

Links to products: Palms & Pinkies Hand Cream Trio  | Joy & Jasmine Hand Cream - The Body Shop®

4. The Tangle Taming, Nourishing Hair Mask

Source: The Body Shop UK

A thumbs up from us. The formula will really help to calm down your wild hair, whilst making your locks glossy and smooth. The mask also comes in a banana scent, really incredible.

Links to the product: Banana Hair Mask- The Body Shop®

All Body Shop products are vegan friendly and made out of all-natural ingredients. They have also started to become a sustainable company by bringing out new ecological packaging to help save the world.

The choices are endless when it comes to vegan and sustainable fashion. Whether you are looking for a cool slogan t-shirt, cruelty-free faux-leather shoes, or a stylish dress to leave everyone speechless at the next gala dinner there are plenty of fashion brands to choose from.

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You can easily keep up with the latest fashion trends or find the one-of-a-kind garment made just for you thanks to all the sustainable and vegan fashion brands out there.

Nowadays sustainable fashion is not something new or rare, yet everyone seems to think it is very hard to find. The proof: here are some brands to have on your list for sustainable fashion.

Birdsong

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More than just an ethical and sustainable fashion brand, Birdsong is a social enterprise. A brand that wishes to revolutionise the way we produce and consume fashion. The slogan 'dress in protest' is meant to raise awareness of the fast pace of the fashion industry and the desire to follow trends. Birdsong designs clothes for remarkable women, but are also designed by remarkable women. The fabrics used are either ethical, sustainable or reclaimed alongside the use of eco dyes. It is all about finding that unique garment that makes you feel empowered. Their collection is unlike anything you will find on the high street: "it’s about thoughtful clothes in bright colours, edgy silhouettes and original prints made from natural fabrics."

Fanfare

Source: Fanfare

The brand is built on the foundation of ethics and sustainability. Their goal is to popularise circularity in the fashion industry and change the way people buy, wear and consume clothing. With upcycling at the heart of the label’s philosophy, the Fanfare team manages to transform vintage pieces into contemporary designs by repurposing existing materials through various textile cutting techniques. In addition to being entirely plastic-free, Fanfare is made from sustainable materials and is certified by OEKO-TEX and GOTS.

“Our hope for the future is that we can change the world around us and become a catalyst towards powerful social good and new models of consumption.”

Lucy & Yak

Source: Lucy & Yak

Lucy & Yak is an independent, ethical, and sustainably made brand, committed to preserving the environment and society. Every item, from boilersuits to colourful dungarees to cropped sweatshirts, is made with organic fabrics and manufactured in their factory in North India, where workers receive four times the minimum wage for the state. They use 100% recycled and biodegradable postage material and stationery to distribute their products. And if that was not enough to get you hooked on the brand let me tell you that they also have a Depop shop. To ensure all stock gets sold and demonstrate that sustainable clothing can be affordable, any flawed piece is advertised at a discounted price on Depop.

Indigo Luna

Source: Indigo Luna

A small family-run brand focused on producing good quality products created using eco-consciousness and sustainable manufacturing practices. A yoga and swimwear line, Indigo Luna is handmade in Bali by women-owned and operated factories. Using natural fabrics and natural dyeing techniques, the rich, earthy colours come from various plant materials such as indigo leaves, mango leaves, Indian almond leaves and Indian redwood bark. Be sure to keep yourself updated with the brands newest addition, because their collections are purposely created in small, sustainable runs so they can run out of stock and avoid wasting any materials.

Ninety Percent

Source: Ninety Percent

Can you guess where the name might come from? Ninety Percent is a London-based sustainable womenswear label that shares 90% of its profit between charitable causes. With the purchase of their products, the brand asks its customers to pick which charity they would like to support. The pioneering business model, Ninety Percent has created, strives to have a different approach to the fashion industry. Their collection includes a variety of luxury basics that elevate the everyday, such as well-cut organic cotton sweats, detailed jersey staples and comfortable tops made from soft TENCEL.

“We don’t believe in short-lived trends and hope that once you have finished with your Ninety Percent garment you’ll pass it on for somebody else to love, too”

Have you fallen in love with the world of sustainable fashion? There sure is a lot to fall in love with. From the colourful and bold garments to the minimalistic and sophisticated high street-like collections. They all share the same mission: to be good for you and good for the planet.

We hope you are familiar with the concept of Veganuary, as it has been taking place since 2014. But if you do not know in detail what it actually is, in a nutshell, it is an annual event that promotes a vegan lifestyle and motivates non-vegans to try a vegan diet during the whole month of January.

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But why stop only with food consumption and not explore more of the vegan products out there? Here are some recommendations to try a vegan beauty regime.

The Story Of Veganuary

The British entrepreneur Matthew Glover and animal rights campaigner Jane Land started the challenge, but now there is also a non-profit organisation with the same name that officially runs the campaign. What most people like about the campaign is that it is not all about going vegan, it is more focused on educating others about the effect of food on the environment and raising awareness of animal suffering. The campaign started in 2014 and each year more and more people take part, with an estimated 1.3 million people committing to Veganuary in 2019¹.

Diving More Into A Vegan Lifestyle

One of the biggest challenges of the 21^st century is climate change. It is believed by many that a plant-based diet can help fight global warming. If veganism offers so many benefits why not explore more of the beauty of leading a vegan lifestyle? Literary vegan beauty is taking over the industry, as more and more people decide to make more conscious decisions in terms of their everyday life and strive to minimise their carbon footprint.

UpCircle

It all started with a single cup of coffee from a small independent coffee shop. A sister passionate about skincare and a brother concerned with the waste produced from daily activities such as drinking a cup of coffee. The brother and sister duo launched the company in 2016 and they have been growing the brand ever since. A sustainable, ethical and high-performing skincare brand that is focused on incorporating circular economy to the skincare industry. UpCircle "products are unique in that not only are the sustainability credentials unparalleled, they genuinely deliver results for the skin", said Anna Brigthman, co-founder of the brand.

Irene Forte

The cosmetic brand of Irene Forte is just another reason to fall in love with Italy. The Verdura Resort in Sicily is home to the organic farm from which the key ingredients for their products are sourced. Each product is created with ingredients such as organic olive oil, floral hibiscus, fragrant lavender and herbal rosemary from the organic farm at Verdura Resort. Together with the icy fresh mineral water from Sicily’s mountainous Madonie Regional Natural Park they make the product we see today. The low allergenic potential of their products comes from the unique blend of fragrance and feel, along with delivering great results. On top of that, they are also with low allergenic potential. Along with that every stage from manufacturing to distribution is considered for their impact on the planet, the user and the Sicilian community from which our products originate.

Sakrid

A British brand dedicated to eliminating toxins and chemicals from our daily lives. To achieve their goal they use only high quality natural and organic ingredients for their products. That also makes them good for both you and the planet. The brand also strives to implement sustainable practices in sourcing ingredients, packaging and collaborating with suppliers who share the same philosophy. Following their motto “We make good products, using good ingredients, that are good for you and good for our planet”, all of their products are vegan, cruelty-free, organic and handmade in the UK.

Wild Science Lab

The London-based botanical haircare and skincare brand, founded by husband and wife Ali and Zoe, is worth checking out. Wild Science Lab has created innovative, award-winning hair and skin treatments that harness the natural power of the wild. They are driven by the desire to create high-performance, botanical, eco-friendly products that guarantee exceptional results while maintaining an environmental focus. Striving to achieve the highest possible percentage of naturally derived ingredients because they believe that nature offers power and simplicity that can work in harmony with our bodies to achieve effective transformations of skin and hair.

Gallinée

The world’s first skin and hair care line devoted to the health and wellbeing of “Planet You''. Do you know what a microbiome is? This is all the brand is about! A microbiome is the protective layer of your skin which is made up of 1000s of good bacteria. The unbalance and stripping away of the microbiome can result in inflamed and sensitive skin, from which a number of issues arise. Through a patented combination of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, Gallinée protects and nurtures your very own microbiome to ensure even the most sensitive and stressed skin can thrive even under the most severe conditions.

The number of benefits from using vegan cosmetics is immense: it benefits your skin, the environment and the animals. Why not make your new year's resolution to be more considerate of the planet? With the growing number of brands that offer vegan products, you have plenty of options to find your new favourite products.

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