Eco Fashion World

There is a great deal to be said about clothing and accessories made by artisans:  traditions passed down for generations, the time and planning involved in their creation, the fact that these effects are carefully held in someone’s hands with absolute attention to every minute detail – this recipe truly generates the extraordinary.  Like humans, no two items are entirely identical, adding exclusivity to the already beautiful. 

Augden

Augden knits are hand made by artisans in Bolivia.  The company aims to empower the artisans they work with to showcase their traditions and skills on a global scale while positively impacting the lives of their families and their communities. 

Sawang Boran artisan weavers produce and offer items such as luxurious scarves, shawls and sarongs made with organic silk and natural dyes.  While the heart of the Sawang Boran mission is in preserving tradition, they are also committed to bringing “new life to the old” by experimenting with new combinations in color and technique.

Elizabeth Plumb is an artisan jeweler from Utah in the U.S. who designs and hand crafts jewelry using techniques such as wrapping, silversmithing and casting.  Plumb makes an annual trip to Chiang Mai in Thailand to buy the Thai hill tribe silver and also uses gold, brass, pewter and copper mixed with a variety of natural stones. 

Indigenous Designs offers organic and fair trade fashion for men and women, handcrafted by artisans in Peru using alpaca, organic cotton, silk and merino wool.  The Indigenous team focuses on positively affecting all communities touched with their business practices while creating stylish, high quality clothing and accessories. 

Andean Collection was founded to bring sustainable change to impoverished areas of South America.  The artisans who create the Andean Collection jewelry, hats, and scarves are given an opportunity to take part in the global market, sharing their craft skills and constructing covetable pieces of wearable art.

Carla Fernandez designs are bold in aesthetic with adventurous mixtures of colors and shapes.  Fernandez travels all over Mexico, immersing herself in specific areas to work with groups of artisans on individual projects. 

Maiyet is a luxury brand working with companies and artisans in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya and South Africa to offer pieces representative of timeless design and outstanding craftsmanship while promoting self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship in lesser-developed areas of the world.

Many ethical fashion designers recognize the inherent beauty and value in the work of artisans and therefore, elect to search all corners of the world for artisan groups to work with in creating their collections.  When you purchase something that is artisan-made, you are supporting the artistic value of someone’s heritage, allowing a tradition to remain alive, while also providing the artisans, their families and their communities with something even more beautiful - a means of sustainable survival!   

Stay tuned for Part VII of the Eco-Criteria Series, putting a spotlight on fun DIY projects with a list of resources to gather inspiration and instructions. For a full outline of what is to come within the Eco Criteria series, read our 'Intro To Eco Criteria' article.

EFW US based writer Magaly Fuentes-Sagan has a broad range of interests spanning art, fashion, travel, environmental issues, health and wellness. With an AS in Fashion Design and a BA in International Business and Marketing as well as a comprehensive fashion career that has included couture bridal design, sportswear product development, visual merchandising, buying and marketing management, Magaly brings the scope of her experience and passions to her written work.

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