6 Latinx-Owned Sustainable Brands That Are Helping the Planet
When we think of Earth Day, we think of air pollution, waste management, and protecting our oceans - but the truth is, fashion is one of the highest polluting industries out there
Photos: Instagram/@wovenfutures/ @lagottaofficial
When we think of Earth Day, we think of air pollution, waste management, and protecting our oceans – but the truth is, fashion is one of the highest polluting industries out there. The fashion industry accounts for up to 10 percent of the output of global carbon dioxide — more than international flights and shipping combined, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Furthermore, 87 percent of the total fiber input used for clothing is ultimately incinerated or sent to a landfill, Bloomberg reported. Now more brands are working to become more eco-friendly and sustainable including a few Latinx-owned brands. Among them is Woven Futures which uses natural and recycled materials straight from Guatemala and Neems which makes custom makes jeans from deadstock denim. Read on to learn more about six sustainable fashion brands making moves toward better practices and changing the way we shop for the better.
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Woven Futures
Photo: Instagram/@wovenfutures
Woven Futures is a super cute ethical brand based out of the United States and Guatemala. All of their pieces are handmade by Indigenous artisans and use natural or recycled materials. They sell bags with bright and bold designs and woven sombreros.
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La Gotta Swimwear
Photo: Instagram/@lagottaofficial
Designer Valeria del Rey, based in Puerto Rico, created La Gotta in Sept. 2020 and already has a devoted following. The nature-inspired swimsuits are made out of recycled plastic bottles and dyed with non-toxic dyes, and, inspired by her island roots, each piece is SPF 50. Fashionable, eco-friendly, AND it protects your skin – talk about a win-win.
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Naja
Photo: Instagram/@naja
You should definitely be following Naja on Instagram to be the first to know when new products launch since they have limited edition collections and sell quickly. Their collections feature fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and the designs are printed on the fabric instead of using dyes. Not only are their products eco-friendly, but they are made by single mothers and women who are the head of their household.
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Fresa Thrift
Photo: Instagram/@fresa_thrift
If you’re obsessed with vintage clothing then you need to check out Fresa Thrift. Founder and owner, Anita Gutierrez, has always loved thrift shopping and opened an Etsy shop to share her amazing finds. You’ll find truly one-of-a-kind items in her shop from the ’60s through the ’90s including sweaters, shoes, bathing suits, and accessories.
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Neems Jeans
Photo: Instagram/@neemsjeans
Everybody knows jeans can be a pain to shop for because you have to try everything on but Neems is changing that up. They offer custom-built jeans made from deadstock denim. So how does it work? Build your pair of jeans with the Dream Jeans Builder: choose your style, rise, wash, stretch, and length Deadstock denim is the discontinued, leftover fabric from denim mills and every pair is made exclusively using this denim.
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Salvage Maria Goods
Photo: Instagram/@salvagemaria
Salvage Maria Goods includes goods that prominently feature the serape designs including pet beds, pillows, and blankets. Everything is personally crafted with eco-friendly materials straight from Mexico including dead stock and salvaged materials. “We are located in the heart of Venice, CA where we draw from the cool-boho beach vibes that we merge within our Mexican roots, to create our unique aesthetic,” they state on their website.
