Words: Isobella Wolfe
Category: Top Picks
Published: 26 Aug 2022
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Home to some of the world’s leading fashion labels like Versace, Bottega Veneta, and Armani, Milan is no stranger to fashion. But is the city tackling consumers’ rising demand for more sustainable and ethical fashion? These 7 brands are turning the tides.
Small but mighty eco Milan
It’s undeniable: sustainability is becoming increasingly important. More and more people are trying to reduce their impact on our planet and, as a result, a growing number of ethical and sustainable fashion brands are arising to both meet the demand and help change the fashion industry for the better.
Italy is no stranger to style, and Milan takes the cake as the fashion capital. Known for its high-quality, expertly tailored fashion in all the latest styles, Milan is home to some of the most famous luxury labels in the world like Versace, Bottega Veneta, and Armani. But these brands are still falling short for people, the planet, and animals overall.
Luckily, there are a growing number of more ethical and sustainable fashion brands from Milan that are upholding the quality and appeal of traditional Milanese fashion with responsible practices anyone would be proud to support.
Before we meet the brands, let’s learn about what makes a brand responsible in the first place.
What makes a fashion brand more ethical or sustainable than others?
Long story short, a responsible brand makes sure it positively affects our Earth and its inhabitants.
A more ethical brand ensures its workers are treated fairly across the supply chain. This includes policies and practices on child labour, forced labour, worker safety, the right to join a union, and payment of a living wage.
A more sustainable brand also cares about its use of resources and energy, reducing its carbon emissions, impact on our waterways, and using and disposing of chemicals safely.
Finally, a conscious brand uses no or very few animal products, like wool, leather, fur, angora, down feather, shearling, karakul, and exotic animal skin and hair. Ideally, the brand is 100% vegan.
Now that you know what to look for to determine whether a brand is more ethical or not, you might decide to shop from companies located in your country or city. Whether it is to support your local communities or reduce your carbon footprint when shopping online, shopping locally has many great benefits.
So if you live in Milan, you might wonder which clothing brands are doing better. We know how you feel, which is why we compiled this list of “Good” or “Great” rated fashion brands from the fashion capital of Italy.
Not from Milan? Check out our favourite brands from:
- France (and Paris specifically)
- the USA (including brands from California, LA, and New York)
- Canada
- Europe (and more specifically from Belgium, Spain and Portugal, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, and Switzerland)
- the UK (and brands from London)
- Australia and New Zealand
Our favourite more ethical and sustainable brands from Milan
ZEROBARRACENTO
Rated: Good
ZEROBARRACENTO is an Italian brand that creates zero-waste clothes that celebrate the personality of those who wear it.
You can find most pieces in sizes S-L.
See the rating.
SO-LE Studio
Rated: Good
SO-LE Studio was born in London under the Creative Maria Sole Ferragamo and its mission is to transform leftover materials such as leather and brass into unique jewellery and accessories. Since 2019 its creative HQ sits in Milan, while the production remains in Florence’s surrounding hills.
See the rating.
HERTH
Rated: Good
HERTH is an Italian lifestyle brand whose design philosophy combines sustainability and ethics with timeless aesthetics. It promotes slow fashion creating contemporary pieces characterised by clean silhouettes with meticulous attention to detail. Crafted by local Italian artisans with lower-impact materials, it embodies effortless luxury.
Find the range in XS to 2XL.
See the rating.
Candiani
Rated: Good
Operating as a more sustainable workwear textile manufacturer since 1938, Candiani also has its own range of clothes and accessories made from conscious fabrics like organic cotton, recycled leather, and TENCEL™. Find the range in sizes S-XL.
See the rating.
KIDSOFBROKENFUTURE
Rated: Good
“We make sustainable choices for the planet we share”. That’s the tagline of Italian brand KIDSOFBROKENFUTURE, an eco-conscious and contemporary brand with a strong aesthetic, worn by celebrities and influencers alike. Find sizes XS-2XL.
See the rating.
Vernisse
Rated: Good
Vernisse is a contemporary luxury brand founded in 2019 to celebrate tailor made garments and vintage textiles. Find the timeless, trendless pieces in XS-L.
See the rating.
Artichoke
Rated: Good
Artichoke creates high quality backpacks that improve the travel experience. The brand uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials, including upcycled materials, and manufactures locally to reduce its climate impact.
See the rating.
Editor's note
Feature image via Unsplash, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.
