On a mission to bring sustainable styling to the masses, eco expert Cassandra Dittmer founded the affordable online styling service eStyling (the E stands for Ethics, Environment, and Economics) designed to help navigate the complex world of green fashion. Combining her great stylist eye with an international network of truly sustainable brands and under-the-radar independent makers, the service is all about helping people shop through a values-driven lens. In honor of Earth Day, we asked her to break down her top ethically-sourced brands, with favorite picks from each.
ORANGE CULTURE
“A heady mixture of Nigerian inspired print fabrics, color and contemporary urban street wear. This brand is one of the unexpected earth friendly favorites because all pieces are manufactured in Lagos, from ethically-sourced fabrics from local Nigerian fabric makers. They take their staff through rigorous training processes and offer them the opportunity to attend skill acquisition initiatives. Producing locally and maintaining control over a supply chain is one of the best ways to produce with the earth in mind!”
Shiny Pimpernel Shirt $295
Holiday Wrap Box Shirt $283
Boxy Shacket $285
Print Jumpsuit $447
WAX LONDON
“I found Wax recently when I was costuming a short film in London. I love how transparent and vulnerable they are on their website about their production practices and company ethos. They are very holistically sustainable, from sourcing the fabrication locally, to using natural dyeing techniques, manufacturing closer to home, and donating profits to charity. Having worked in mens styling for years, I know how important it is to seek out great basics that aren’t boring. Wax’s quest to reduce environmental impact and to help those in need deserves the spotlight for Earth Day and beyond.”
STUDIO 189
“I came across Studio 189 last year as I was prepping for a client trip to Africa. As an ethical stylist and brand consultant, the first page I jump to is the ‘about’ section to analyze various brand practices and ethics. This brand has a very impressive commitment to artisanal communities that specialize in various traditional craftsmanship techniques including hand batiking, recycled glass beading, and indigo shoe dyeing. They focus on empowerment, creating jobs and supporting education and skills training. Their website clearly outlines their materials, natural dyes, and their plans for education of the communities they produce in.
They focus on working with sustainable natural fibers such as organic cotton that is grown in Burkina Faso and is GOTS certified and government certified. They use cotton that is grown in Ghana, dried grass from Ghana, and silk from Italy and the USA. And they use recycled fabrics such as recycled cotton and recycled glass, as well as fabrics made out of new tech such as pineapple pinatex leather made out of pineapple fibers, and tencel fabric made out of wood.'”
Woven Mechanic Jacket $595
Cotton Andy Button Down $175
Kente Mechanic Jacket $595
Andy Pants $225
Cotton Andy Button Down $175
KOTN
“KOTN has this fun process called circular traceability. They believe that traceability—the knowledge of where a product came from, who made it, how, and when—shouldn’t be a luxury, but a standard. The brand was built from the ground up, working directly with every step of the supply chain. Think of it like farm-to-table, but for your clothes.”
HONORABLE MENTIONS
CHECK OUT Cassandra Dittmer
IG @CASSANDRA
