Our core values are sustainability, mindfulness and responsibility. And for us, these values take precedence over entrepreneurial success. The price paid by people and the environment in conventional jewelry production is too high for us to be willing to join the ranks of these companies. We are proof that things can be done differently.
And that's exactly why we are happy about every new label that takes the path towards a more sustainable future together with us - no matter if within the jewelry industry or beyond. And because every additional consumer of a sustainable brand means a step in the right direction, we would like to share our favorite slow fashion brands with you today.
We are proof that things can be done differently.
Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion
What do the two opposing terms slow fashion and fast fashion actually mean? The fashion industry has changed enormously over the past two decades. Whereas some time ago there were still four different collections per year, adapted to the seasons, the fashion giants now launch new products on the market every week. These can also be found in retail stores, but online shopping in particular has made it even easier to consume more, faster and cheaper fashion from the comfort of your sofa. The time factor plays a major and problematic role in this, resulting in the term fast fashion. To make it clear with the help of figures: In Germany, for example, the average citizen consumes between 12 and 15 kilograms of clothing per year. This has immense negative consequences for people and nature.
Slow Fashion means the opposite and tries to stop this fashion madness. Timeless collections produced under fair conditions and in an environmentally friendly manner are intended to lead to more conscious, slower and overall less consumption. Quality is in the foreground and allows a longer useful life compared to fast fashion often produced from inferior materials. In addition, the production of slow fashion usually uses only sustainable, natural, and certified materials, and overall attention is paid to a climate-friendly process. The supply chains are transparent, and both the working conditions and the wages paid in the manufacturing countries are safe and fair.
Our favorite slow fashion brands
Alina Klemm
The label founded in Hamburg by the eponymous designer ALINA KLEMM wants to reflect the uniqueness of nature with its collections - just like we do at Maren Jewellery. Not least because of this we are a big fan of the label. The at the same time timeless and expressive collections are produced limited in Northern Germany. This avoids a production surplus and long supply chains and guarantees a sustainable and fair production.
Last year, we collaborated with Alina Klemm to design a high-quality silk scarf.Japanese furoshiki gift cloths were our inspiration. Our scarf fits perfectly around the Maren Paper Case, completing any jewelry gift. To ensure a long life, the silk scarf after use as a gift box is also quite wonderful as a hair band, bracelet, scarf or bag accessory.
Dôen
Dôen was founded in 2016 by Margaret and Katherine Kleveland and is dedicated to advancing gender equality. With their many years of experience in the fashion industry, the founders want to counteract a grievance in the industry that they know very well: the minority of female leadership positions. For its fashion inspired by Californian trends, the brand tries to source its fabrics exclusively from female-owned businesses. They also work with their partner companies to support local projects in the countries of production, such as access to education for women in New Delhi.
Envelope1976
Envelope1976 was founded by Celine Aagaard and Pia Nordskaug in Oslo and is fully committed to the sustainability and longevity of its products. The fashion is aimed at the modern quality-conscious woman, who stands out with timeless classics from entertaining trends. By exclusively using natural materials for its fairly produced products, the company underlines its intention and claims. We love the fair, natural and timeless fashion that always wants to be rediscovered. The label was also used in one of our shoots and we are more than thrilled with the interaction of the sustainable fashion with our sustainable jewelry.
Mykke Hofmann
Serbian-born Jelena Hofmann has set herself the goal of encouraging women to achieve what they have set out to do and creates collections under the brand name Mykke Hofmann for just such strong, confident women. Only consciously selected sustainable materials such as cotton, Cupro or Tencel are used and produced fairly in their own factory in their native Serbia. The designs are stylish and feminine, but at the same time exude a certain something. Maren Jewelery's founder Helge Hauptmann herself is enthusiastic about Mykke Hofmann's sustainable fashion and wore one of her favorite pieces at a photoshoot.
Oh Seven Days
Another one of our favorite slow fashion brands: OhSevenDays.The Istanbul-based label's small, rather understated collections work wonderfully as part of a capsule closet - a minimalist closet concept that is all about owning the smallest possible number of timeless, easily combinable garments. The slow fashion pieces are made from fabric remnants from the fast fashion industry, which means the company is taking a big step towards the circular economy, just like us. The idea came to founder Megan Mummery when she stumbled across such unused textiles on a walk through Istanbul. It is manufactured transparently and under fair conditions in Istanbul.
Frequently asked questions
What are Slow Fashion Brands?
In a nutshell: Slow Fashion Brands produce timeless fashion collections that outlast trends, using natural sustainable materials. The origin of the materials is traceable, the production processes are transparent and all people involved in the processes work safely and are paid fairly.
Where can I find sustainable fashion?
Greenwashing is also a growing problem in the fashion industry. Not everywhere that says "sustainable" on the label is actually sustainable. That's why it's worth taking a closer look before buying supposedly sustainable fashion. Recommendations from confidential sources such as magazines and blogs, certifications as well as detailed inquiries and research help you to minimize the risk.
What certifications are there in the field of slow fashion?
Even with certifications and seals of approval in the textile industry, it is worth taking a critical look at the requirements and details of the individual organizations. Nevertheless, the following certifications serve as a good first point of reference for the selection of slow fashion brands:
Written by: Franka
Franka is a freelancer in the fields of marketing and communication and lives with her small family in Munich. She tries to consciously organize her everyday life in order to gradually integrate more sustainability into her life
