Green is the new black
Sustainable fashion
takes hold in Asia
HOMEFEATURES ▸ Green is the new black: Sustainable fashion takes hold in Asia
2016.06.23

By Divia Harilela

Green is officially the new black in fashion as sustainability has transitioned from a hot topic into a necessity for today’s brands and designers. Every segment of the industry from high street giants like H&M and Esprit to luxury brands like Stella McCartney has made it its mission to incorporate sustainable practices into their businesses while addressing pertinent topics such as textile waste and the effects of fashion production on the environment.

Christina Dean, founder of Hong Kong based fashion NGO

Earlier this year the Kering Group, which owns luxury labels such as Gucci and Saint Laurent, released its first Sustainability Report revealing the environmental and social impact of its supply chain, proving that the fashion community cares just as much about how clothing is produced.

On the other end of the spectrum we have seen the rise of brands and designers who are committed to creating beautiful fashion that is rooted in sustainability. While this trend started in the West with successful names such as Lemlem, Edun (which was launched by U2 frontman Bono) and Maiyet, it has finally taken hold in Asia.

“There are so many more brands moving forward within the sustainability arena – it’s almost hard to keep up all the exciting activity,” says Christina Dean, founder of Hong Kong based fashion NGO, Redress.

“Through the EcoChic Design Award, for example, we inspire fashion designers to use the minimal waste design techniques of zero-waste, up-cycling and reconstruction and we encourage them to break out of the box and source their own textile waste, be it damaged fabrics or yarns.”


Last year also saw the launch of the Y.E.S. Awards by global online retailer Yoox.com and ethical fashion platform Esthetica, to honour young eco-fashion talents in Asia. Taking home the top award was homegrown brand Ffixxed which produces its collections from start to finish in their headquarters in Shenzhen using excess fabrics from local mills.

Other up and coming eco-design talents making headlines include Eco Chic Design Award alumni Angus Tsui, whose avant garde creations wouldn’t look out of place on the runways of Paris thanks to their sculptural shapes and unique prints. His latest collection called Somewhere In Time was ethically made in London under the mentorship of renowned up-cycling expert, Orsola de Castro, and utilises up-cycling and zero-waste techniques.

Wan & Wong Fashion, which was founded by Joyce Wong and Kelvin Wan in 2013. sources over 70 per cent of potential fabrics from factories in Mainland China and Hong Kong and turns them into minimalist yet contemporary essentials using sustainable production techniques like up-cycling and reconstruction. Highlights in their latest collection include tailored denim separates and dresses with fashionable details such as buttons and contrast piping.

Wan & Wong Fashion

For the upcoming autumn/winter season, designer Alex Law uses "end of roll" fabrics from various factories to create a series of oversized and tailored silhouettes such as shift dresses and jackets featuring cut outs.

Being green has never looked more chic.

About this author

To bring our readers insightful and relevant content about local fashion, FASHIONALLY invites Divia Harilela as our contributor. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Divia Harilela is the founder of The D’Vine and known as a leading authority on fashion in Asia. She also contributes for SCMP, Vogue ChinaBusiness of Fashion and Howtospendit.com, among many other publications.

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