Fashion is a form of expression and should spark joy. What we don’t often see is the dark side of fashion; underpaid labor, sweatshops, child labor, extreme waste, and a general lack of sustainability. In 2023, brands that are posing creative solutions to these problems in the fashion industry deserve our attention. 

CHNGE is fighting against fast fashion's impact on the environment, as the industry is currently the second largest consumer of water supply and makes up over 10% of global carbon emissions. CHNGE uses 100% organic materials and 100% recyclable packaging.  The brand’s website features collections such as “Zero Waste,” which is made from 100% recycled materials, “BLM,” which donates 100% of the profits to aid the Black Lives Matter movement, and “Reproductive Rights,” which donates  50% of the profits going to activist organizations in the fight for women's bodily autonomy. 

Another brand that is fighting for good  in fashion is Mighty Good Basics, a organic basics brand for all genders. Mighty Good Basics specializes in creating eco-friendly underwear that minimize the company's climate impact and the amount of chemicals and water used in production. The brand ensures a living wage for its workers and traces its supply chain from the beginning to the end of production. This information is made available on their website,  mightygoodbasics.com. 

If you are ever questioning if a brand you love is ethical, goodonyou.eco provides an easy to understand sustainability rating for brands based on their effects on the planet, people, and the environment. In 2023, there are so many more creative, sustainable, and unique brands that we can support. It is time to leave fast fashion behind and find new companies that provide better solutions for our planet and our people.