Fashion and Race: The History of Sustainable Designers in Fashion

Katharine Hamnett is widely recognized as one of the first designers to champion sustainable fashion in the 1980s, using organic cotton and promoting ethical production practices.

Stella McCartney has been a vocal advocate for sustainable fashion, using innovative materials and implementing ethical production methods throughout her career.

Edun is a sustainable fashion brand co-founded by Bono and Ali Hewson in 2005. The brand emphasizes ethical production, fair trade practices, and the use of sustainable materials.

Marine Serre is a French fashion designer known for her avant-garde designs and her commitment to sustainability. She frequently incorporates recycled and upcycled materials into her collections.

Gabriela Hearst is a Uruguayan-American fashion designer known for her sustainable practices. Her eponymous label emphasizes the use of organic and sustainable materials, as well as ethical production methods.

People Tree is a pioneer in fair trade fashion, working directly with artisans in developing countries to create sustainable and ethical products.

Patagonia is an American outdoor clothing company founded by Yvon Chouinard. The brand is known for its commitment to environmental activism and its use of sustainable materials and practices.

Iris van Herpen is a Dutch fashion designer known for her avant-garde designs and her exploration of new materials and technologies. She has incorporated sustainable materials like pineapple leather and mushroom leather into her collections.

Reformation is a sustainable fashion brand founded by Yael Aflalo in 2009. The brand focuses on using recycled and organic materials, as well as ethical production practices.

Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer known for her punk and avant-garde designs. She has been a vocal advocate for sustainability and has incorporated zero-waste design principles and upcycled materials into her collections.

Veja is a sustainable fashion brand founded by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion in 2004. The brand is known for its minimalist designs, its commitment to ethical production, and its use of sustainable materials.

Duro Olowu is a Nigerian-British fashion designer known for his vibrant designs and his use of traditional African textiles. He is committed to empowering women in Africa and has worked with artisans and cooperatives to create sustainable fashion initiatives.

Tracy Reese is an American fashion designer known for her feminine and colorful designs. Her eponymous brand emphasizes the use of organic and sustainable materials and is committed to ethical production practices.

Stella McCartney is a British fashion designer known for her commitment to sustainable practices. She has incorporated innovative materials like recycled fishing nets and ocean plastic into her collections, and she has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues.

Eileen Fisher is an American fashion designer known for her timeless designs and her commitment to ethical production. Her eponymous brand emphasizes sustainability, using organic and recycled materials, and it has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.