Eco travellers live by this fashion statement — “Green is the New Black”. Nowadays, not only are environmentally friendly products currently trending for their sustainability and promise to make the world a better place, there are plenty of options out there — hats made from natural, biodegradable materials, fair trade scarves, sustainable swimwear, and ethically made accessories — all from manufacturers that not only prioritize transparency and sustainability in their production, but also without compromising on aesthetics and durability, too. So grab a cup of fair trade coffee and feast your eyes on these:
MUJI
MUJI, the Japanese clothing and lifestyle brand known for its design minimalism emphasizes recycling and tries to avoid waste in production and packaging as well as using local sources whenever possible to increase the number of local producers. With its “Re-Muji” project, MUJI makes use of recycled clothing from previous seasons by reusing them in myriad shades of Japanese indigo and giving them a completely new look. Due to the nature of the dye, traditionally used in the Edo era of Japan, each piece is unique. In addition to using sustainable products such as nature dye from indigo plants, they opened an eco-friendly dyeing plant in Cambodia, creating much-needed jobs in the country. The company also makes it a point to use local resources from their production sites, like wool from Kyrgyzstan, soapstone from Kenya, etc. in order to minimize transport’s carbon footprint.
Kameleon Rose
Dubbed ‘the ultimate travel dress designed by travellers for travellers’, the patented Kameleon travel dress — an adaptable travel garment that can be converted into a range of clothing items, including a skirt, a top, a dress and trousers. Kameleon Rose was founded by Leila Rose, who shared the frustration of many women of how to be stylish and comfortable when travelling, yet able to travel light. The clothing is made in Madagascar and Mauritius in WRAP certified factory under ethical conditions, with twelve principles that must be adhered to, covering health and safety and working hours, and prohibits child labour and forced labour. Kameleon Rose is quick-drying, non-creasing, breathable and rolls up small, perfect for eco travellers who prefer to travel light in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
Mulberry Mongoose
Female-run Zambia-based Mulberry Mongoose sells vibrant, funky jewellery made by local designers, but is best known for their pieces made out of recycled materials that support wildlife conservation in South Luangwa Valley. Their renowned Snare Wire collection is crafted out of repurposed snare wire that was once used illegally by poachers to trap animals for the black market trade. Poaching snares indiscriminately inflict severe injuries and death on ensnared wildlife. Removing snares and providing treatment for injured wildlife is costly. For every piece of Mulberry Mongoose jewellery sold, US$5 goes to anti-poaching efforts and has since raised over US$96,144 to fund anti-snare patrols, which are essential to wildlife conservation.
Davy J, EcoAlf, and Lilliput & Felix
Upcycling waste materials is nothing new in the eco fashion industry. But the idea of swimming in the sea with a swimwear made from marine litter seems to carry a certain special cachet. Committed to sustainability, innovation, transparency, and timeless design, brands like Davy J, EcoAlf, and Lilliput & Felix, using mostly recycled materials like plastic bottles, fishing nets, tires, cotton, and wool in all their swimwear products. They support the development of a circular economy and is working with 100% regenerated nylon yarn from consumer waste, including spent and ghost fishing nets. For every ton of waste net collected there is enough nylon regenerated to create more than 10,000 swimsuits. Sustainable swimwear also designed to last longer, fighting the trend of throwaway fashion and producing something that stands the test of time.
Timberland
Created back in 2007, Timberland developed Original Earthkeepers® footwear with a goal of creating the most responsible product in mind. Later, they apply what they have learned all these years about responsible material usage and production practices to everything they make. The Earthkeepers® collection is made from sustainably sourced materials wherever possible – like recycled rubber, eco-conscious leather and organic cotton – so you can feel good about what you wear, and look great too. Over the past five years, the equivalent of 185 million plastic water bottles were recycled and given a new life as components in Timberland footwear.
Proof, Dick Moby, Medicine Werx, Grown & etc.
We need sunglasses. Aside from protecting our eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, sunglasses just make you look effortlessly cool. However, as conventional sunglasses are mostly made of non-biodegradable materials, they will contribute unnecessarily to the pollution of our environment. So, an environmentally friendly sunglasses — like Proof, Dick Moby, Panda Sunglasses, Grown and etc. — that will withstand your wildest adventures, yet is waterproof, super lightweight, and with frames made from materials like recycled cork, wood and bamboo, is an eco traveller’s dream-come-true.
SkyeBags
For eco travellers, a bag that is not only eco-friendly, but also offers functionality and sustainability as well, is a must-have. Skye bags, a North Carolina-based firm that turns donated Delta Airlines upholstery into fine leather goods. They are made from recycled aircraft leather donated by Delta, so each one is unique and vary slightly in appearance. They’re lined with organic cotton and solidly constructed using upholstery-grade thread. The construction of Skyebags relies on hand tools and a 1973 industrial Singer sewing machine to coax the leather into shape, therefore the upcycling process uses less energy and transportation fuel than conventional manufacturing. Also, the company founder donates 10% of all profits to the Nature Conservancy’s Carbon Offset Program.
Patagonia, Reformation, Barton Coat and etc.
Winter wears are necessity not luxury. When travelling during the winter, eco travellers need winter wear brands whose use ethical and sustainable practices. Clothing brands like Patagonia, Reformation, and Barton Coat, use fully or partially recycled and fair trade inner and outer materials. All of the virgin insulation used in their natural down coats is fully traceable and certified to the Advanced Traceable Down Standard by NSF International, meaning there was no live-plucking and that broader humane animal welfare standards were observed throughout the supply chain. Not only are materials tried and tested, but fabrics are also ethical, including hemp, organic cotton, recycled down, reclaimed cotton and more.
Travel in style in these eco friendly travel wears with Mayflower. Get your air ticket and hotel bundle package at Mayflower.com.my today! Also, follow Mayflower’s Facebook page for the latest travel deals!
