Redefining Luxury: High-End Sustainable Fashion Brands
High-end fashion brings to mind exclusivity, style, and elegance. It conjures up a vision of the finest silks and the most luxurious furs, of sophistication and class.
In 2024 alone, luxury fashion brought in a substantial revenue of US$ 145.4 billion and this figure is expected to grow continuously.
Today, however, as the world leans toward a more eco-conscious future, high-end brands are also taking a break from their traditional methods. Their need for sustainability is taking the shape of a fusion of elegance and ethics. Now, modern luxury comes with eco-conscious materials and practices. From organic silk to lab-grown diamonds, the new definition of elegance includes respect for the planet.
Affluent consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, have a greater regard for their values and are unwilling to compromise on them. A recent study reveals that 78% of US consumers place great importance on a sustainable lifestyle.
Read on to find out how sustainable practices by high-end fashion brands are changing luxury fashion and the lasting impact they are making on the environment.
Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney is a luxury brand that is known to create beautiful pieces without harming the planet. It employs cutting-edge technology and innovative materials to reduce its environmental footprint. All the processes are cruelty-free and it follows closed-loop systems to reduce carbon emissions and waste generation.
This way this luxury fashion brand is making a positive impact on the environment and on the people in it
Mara Hoffman
This fashion brand has high ethical standards and places great value on the basic rights of the people working in their factories.
Mara Hoffman uses environmentally friendly technologies and continues to improve its operations to support sustainable practices.
Not only does the brand ensure fair labour practices and sustainability in its own production facilities but it also makes sure that the companies it partners with comply with all these rules.
EILEEN FISHER
This luxury fashion brand is moving away from a linear model to closed-loop systems. It employs regenerative, renewable and recyclable materials to create new clothes. This high-end fashion brand believes in conserving water and energy and using fewer chemicals to keep the planet clean.
Surprisingly this luxury brand also sells repaired cashmere and helps reduce waste.
Gabriela Hearst
Designer Gabriella Hearst has always believed in slow fashion and creating magic without compromising her values. Her brand is reflective of her ethics and her strong belief in conserving resources and saving the planet.
The brand is known for using deadstock fabrics to eliminate the use of plastic, made-to-order bags so that there is no overproduction and TIPA flexible packaging that is fully compostable within six months. In 2024, the designer created costumes made out of Merino wool which is an extremely sustainable fabric
Burberry
Burberry uses the gaberdine fabric woven from one hundred percent organic cotton in its Heritage trenchcoat line. The brand has also launched refillable perfumes which is a remarkable way of reducing and reusing packaging.
Burberry is also committed to using responsibly sourced raw materials for its products by the year 2030.
Use of Sustainable Materials in Luxury Fashion
The root of the problem created by the textile industry lies in the extensive use of synthetic materials in fashion.
Polyester has had a long run as the favourite material of designers big and small. However, polyester does not biodegrade. It piles up in landfills and stays without decomposing for hundreds of years.
Many innovations are taking place in the textile industry to help counter the problem of waste generation. Some of them include:
- Biodegradable and Organic Materials in High End Fashion
The fashion industry is increasingly turning to biodegradable and organic materials as part of its sustainable evolution. These materials offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fabrics.
CELYSTM Compostable Fibre
CELYSTM compostable fibre is an innovative material that was developed at the labs of INTIMITI Australia. This fibre was designed with circularity in mind and can fully biodegrade naturally within 179 days under industrial composting conditions. It provides a permanent solution to the textile waste problem created by the fast fashion industry.
CELYSTM is luxurious to the touch and has all the properties to make it suitable enough to be used in high fashion. It has been showcased in global trade shows and has the potential to revolutionise luxury apparel.
Common Organic Materials in Luxury Fashion
- Organic Cotton:
Luxury brands are increasingly using organic cotton for their collections. This material is grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilisers and is helping reduce the environmental footprint of the industry while maintaining softness and durability. - Hemp:
Although it was once seen as a humble fabric, hemp is now gaining a foothold in luxury fashion for its sustainability. It is lightweight, strong, and has a natural aesthetic appeal, making it suitable for both casual and high-end designs. - Silk Alternatives:
Organic silk is produced without harming silkworms. Its finesse helps in retaining the luxurious feel associated with traditional silk.
- Recycled and Upcycled Fabrics in High End Fashion
The use of recycled fabrics is another change that we are witnessing in high-end fashion. Fashion brands have taken to using recycled fabrics without compromising on the sophistication that is expected from luxury items.
Some examples of Recycled and Upcycled Fabrics are:
- Regenerated nylon
It is made from discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic waste. It is durable, versatile, and indistinguishable from virgin nylon, making it a favourite among luxury brands.
- Recycled Polyester
Created from PET bottles and textile waste, recycled polyester requires significantly less energy to produce compared to virgin polyester. Luxury activewear brands and designers are incorporating it into sleek, sustainable garments, showing its adaptability for high fashion.
- Upcycled Textiles
Upcycling involves repurposing existing materials into new, high-value items. Brands often use upcycled fabrics to create one-of-a-kind pieces, reflecting creativity while reducing waste.
Fair Labour Practices
Luxury fashion brands are now paying more attention to their workers and making sure all production processes are in keeping with fair labour practices. The working conditions are safe and healthy and the workers are paid fair wages.
To provide transparency to these efforts, fashion brands acquire third-party certifications such as Fair Trade and B-Corp.
Closed-Loop Systems
High end fashion brands are changing their practices to employ closed-loop systems. This helps them meet the growing consumer demand for ethical fashion. Here’s how they are integrating these systems:
- Designing for Circularity.
They choose materials that are biodegradable or organic and innovative fabrics like Tencel. The accessories and apparel are both designed for longevity, repairability and recyclability.
- Recycling and Upcycling Programs.
Some high end fashion brands have started garment take-back schemes and recycling of products that are unsold. Some brands also upcycle leftover fabrics to create new collections.
- Zero-Waste Factories.
Companies are innovating to minimise waste during the production process by using leftover materials to create new items.
Closed-loop systems while reducing waste and conserving resources are also helping redefine luxury as synonymous with sustainability.
Final Word
Although the steps taken by luxury fashion brands are promising, we still need to go a long way. True transformation will only be possible if there is an industry-wide commitment to sustainability.
There needs to be a cultural change in the way consumers view and consume fashion. The focus should change from mere exclusivity to include accountability and long-term environmental goals.
