B-Corp sustainable fashion brands are a great starting point for those wishing to purchase new, and shop more sustainably. B-corp status has grown in popularity in recent years, there has been a growing demand for transparency and sustainability across all businesses, especially in the fashion industry.
As consumers, we are becoming more conscious of the environmental and social impacts of our purchases, but with greenwashing becoming more mainstream it’s hard to know which brands to trust. Many of us are turning to B-Corp-certified fashion brands and supporting small independent brands like those on the Ethical Brand Directory.
But what exactly does the B-Corp certification mean, and can you trust it?
Background on B-Corp Certification
B-Corp certification is a designation given to businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Certified B Corporations, or B-Corps, are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This rigorous certification process ensures that B-Corps are genuinely committed to using business as a force for good.
Can You Trust a B-Corp Brand?
B-Corp certification is one of the most trusted labels in the world of sustainable business. The certification process involves a comprehensive assessment of a company’s impact on all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
This means that when you buy from a B-Corp, you can be confident that the brand is committed to a wide range of practices across its entire operation. However, it’s always a good idea to do your research and see if the brand aligns with your values and standards.
Some are disputing the B-Corp status as a way to hide behind greenwashing. Whilst this may be true for some brands (Pategonia has been under scrutiny over unethical labour) most of the brands are doing the best they can. B-corp status requires a lot of work to get, and maintain.
List of B-Corp Sustainable Fashion Brands (UK)
Affiliate links are marked with a *
- Aspiga
- Baukjen*
- Bam Bamboo Clothing
- Desmond & Dempsey
- Deploy
- The Deck
- FatFace
- Finisterre
- Joanie
- Thrift Plus
- Lora gene
- Loft & Daughter
- Omnes
- Wolf & Badger*
- YOU Underwear
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List of B-Corp Sustainable Fashion Brands (EU)
Affiliate links are marked with a *
- Armedangels (Germany)
- Allbirds*
- Chloé The FIRST well-known Luxury brand to get their B-Corp status in fashion
- Veja (France)
- Organic basics*
- Patagonia (Global, HQ in the US) Although headquartered in the US, Patagonia operates extensively in Europe.
List of B-Corp Sustainable Fashion Brands (US)
Affiliate links are marked with a *
B-Corp Sustainable Fashion Summary
B-Corp fashion brands are leading the way in creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.
These brands prioritize the well-being of their workers, the environment, and customers, ensuring that every step of their production process is as responsible as possible.
By choosing to support B-Corp-certified brands, you are contributing to a positive shift in the fashion industry and helping to promote a more sustainable future. Remember to look beyond certifications and do your research to ensure the brands you support align with your values and standards.
For more information on B-Corp certification and to explore more certified brands, visit the B Lab’s official website.
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Things to Consider
While B-Corp certification is a strong indicator of a brand’s commitment to sustainability, it’s important to consider other factors as well. Look into the materials used in the products, the working conditions of employees, and the brand’s overall impact on the environment.
Transparency is key, so favour brands that are open about their practices and willing to share detailed information about their supply chain and production processes.
No specific percentage of a company’s portfolio must be free from “non-ethical” or polluting industries for it to qualify as a B-Corp. Instead, the B Impact Assessment would scrutinise the company’s practices and impacts across its entire portfolio.
This means that even if a company has some involvement in less ethical industries, it could still be certified if it demonstrates strong performance in other areas.
B-Corp status is not forever
While B-corp’s status does help us determine the brands doing good out there, it’s not a fail-safe, so you should always do additional checks and trust your instinct.
To qualify for B Corp status, businesses must score at least 80 points in an impact assessment, which evaluates positive impact in five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers, in addition to proving evidence and information across 300 questions. However, B-corp has faced scrutiny over brands that have known unethical labour practices, such as
Whilst not a fashion brand, Havas London, Havas Lemz, Havas New York and Havas Immerse have recently had their B-corp status removed, this is due to the media agency group having fossil-fuel clients. A beer company called BrewDog lost its B Corp status due to allegations of a toxic workplace culture.
Let me know what you think of this list and if I have missed any brands. If you need to discuss anything that can’t be left in the comments, head to my contact page.
