Fashion Revolution Week – meet the brands that are making a real change

!Published by FTG Magazine!

Fashion Revolution Week has started, a global movement calling for transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry and these brands are making a greater change.

I entered the field of ethical writing mostly complaining about the state of the planet and worrying about how we’re just not doing enough to make a big enough impact. Due to the fact that I have had the opportunity to speak to brand owners, learn their stories and sample their products, ranging from beauty to homeware to fashion.

Happily I also became a part of the ethical Influencer network and was amazed at how many people are exploiting their passion, be it fashion or beauty, to educate each other on how to make changes, how to delete plastic from our lives and how we can all make changes in our daily lives in a cost-effective way. So, this article is dedicated to appreciating it and accepting the reality that we are making a change together and the planet will show us proof of it soon enough!

This article is also a little different because it talks about the brands that I have handpicked to be featured during Fashion Revolution Week (April 22-29) and brands that I truly believe, can make this planet great again!

Laura Zabo

Starting with Laura Zabo, this brand is the epiphany of care and customization. Zabo salvages thousands of bicycle tyres and inner tubes from landfill sites by up-cycling them into a vast collection of belts, jewellery, sandals, other fashion accessories and even clothing.

I got something really special from them and that was a hand-printed dog collar made out of a very soft rubber bicycle tyre for my Labrador, Zareta. I also received a finely painted inner bicycle tube jewellery! It’s crazy to believe that someone could make jewellery from discarded bike parts but when you see the products, their finishing is amazing.

It doesn’t end there, of course, they have a minimal waste scheme . So if you have ever purchased a Zabo product but no longer use it, for whatever reason, they offer you a discount on your next purchase. This is only if you return your previous purchase to them instead of throwing it away. This way, they can ensure that a once salvaged tyre never makes it back to a landfill.

Khadi Premium Cosmetics

The next brand is from my hometown, Mumbai. Khadi Premium Cosmetics products come in the most beautiful packaging ever. I seriously feel that I will keep their wooden boxes forever! I tried a variety of products ranging from haircare products made from Neem (Indian Lilac) to soaps and scrubs. My favourite was the lip scrub which is both a lip balm and scrub together. It has actually made a real difference to my lips. Their face gels, made of Neem and Aloe Vera, which I have been using on my face before going to bed at night, have made my skin look & feel more hydrated and smoother.

Actually, it’s a basic requirement in both the cities I reside in . Mumbai and Dubai – as the air conditioning is constantly on which has a dehydrating effect on the skin. The one product I never leave home without is the anti-pollution spray. It’s like a refreshing face wash on-the-go!It is perfect for removing the impurities that get deposited in our skin.  This is due to the air pollution we face every time we step out of the house.

Funky Kalakar Global

One of the products I most recently received was a vegan laptop bag from Funky Kalakar Global. Since I seem to always be on the move, my laptop comes with me wherever I go. I’ve had a laptop bag from Bershka that I’ve used for almost 8 years now, so I’m excited to see how long the new one from Funky Kalakar Global lasts me. This laptop bag is designed for working professionals and is equipped with a laptop sleeve and a special section for documents. To help you stay organised, it comes with a loop to hold your keys while providing enough room for a water bottle and a book. The bag is one hundred percent handmade. 

With PETA approved vegan leather and highly durable faux leather, recyclable up to 8 times! I also loved the fact that the inner packaging (stuffing) is an automobile industry discard (foam wasted during seat making process) which is reused by them for the stuffing of the bags.

It’s seriously awesome how innovative and creative, brands are getting about recycling. I can’t wait to share my next batch of interesting and sustainable brands with you!

---