The designer brands that are leading the move towards sustainable fashion

Canada Goose recently pledged to end the use of fur in its products by the end of 2022 as a move towards a more environmentally-conscious strategy. 

But the luxury winter coat brand isn’t the only high-end label to put sustainability at the forefront of its designs. As the environment becomes an increasingly prominent topic of conversation, more designers are making environmentally-friendly products a priority. 

Here are some sustainable designer brands, so you can wear high fashion brands and save the planet at the same time. 

CANADA GOOSE 

The brand, known for its coyote fur-trimmed parka jackets, has committed to end the use of fur for the creation of their products by the end of 2022. 

To help achieve this goal, the firm is introducing their Fur Buy Back Program in which customers can return their new or used Canada Goose fur and receive credit to use on a future purchase. 

This move towards sustainability also includes using 30 per cent less carbon in the making of their Standard Expedition Parka.

STELLA MCCARTNEY 

Since its launch in 2001, Stella Mccartney has been committed to staying environmentally-conscious and has never used leather, feathers, fur or skin in its products. 

The brand has steadily become more sustainable over the years with the use of organic cotton, sustainable packaging as well as innovating new ways to make silk.

LVMH 

The luxury goods company has recently teamed up with weturn, a start-up that offers an innovative recycling chain, to adopt a high-quality textile recycling process which recycles textiles to be used as materials for future products.

By 2030 the brand aims for 100 per cent of their new products to follow an eco-design approach with a controlled environmental footprint as well as a traceability system for their supply chains.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD  

The designer label is a longtime champion for sustainable fashion and demonstrates this in a range of ways. 

From avoiding blended fibres which are difficult to recycle, to eliminating all single-use plastic from transit packaging, to leading a campaign that encourages other luxury brands to switch to a green energy supplier, the brand is fully committed to a sustainable future for all fashion vendors. 

GUCCI 

Gucci is another designer brand that is taking big steps to reach their targets for sustainability. 

In 2015 Gucci launched its 10-year “Culture of Purpose” sustainability strategy, underpinned by a series of targets to achieve by 2025. The brand aims to reduce their total environmental footprint by 40 per cent by 2025, use 100 per cent renewable energy by the end of 2022 and decrease their greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2025. 

VERSACE 

Versace, along with many other high-fashion brands such as Coach, Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, is fur-free and has been since 2019. As well as launching sustainable boutiques which use less energy for heating, air conditioning, and lighting than an average store, Versace’s Artistic Director Donatella Versace received the CNMI Award in recognition of sustainability at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in 2018.