Dive into the world of sustainable style with these Singapore-born labels that combine beautiful aesthetics and planet-loving practices
Want to ditch fast fashion for good? Besides thrift shops, fashion rental platforms and clothes swap events, Singapore is also home to plenty of sustainable brands doing their part for the environment. Check out these five brands to upgrade your wardrobe.
Esse
One of the first local names to move towards sustainable and conscious fashion, Esse was founded in 2017 by Alicia Tsi. The brand is beloved for its classic designs and closet staples. Instead of jumping on trends, its designs balance creativity, modernity and functionality to create styles that are evergreen. Pieces are made in small batches by home-based seamstresses in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Batam. The aim here is to use organic, natural, renewable and biodegradable fibres such as TENCEL™ Lyocell, organic cotton and linen to lessen the impact on the environment. The brand also gives back by supporting organisations like Trees That Count and the World Wildlife Fund. essethelabel.com
Dear Samfu
Dear Samfu offers a sweet tribute to the women of generations past by adding a nostalgic tinge to everyday clothes with vintage-style dresses, oversized shirts and lovely floral skirts. Forgoing mass production for quality materials, small batch collections and ageless designs, the brand uses deadstock fabrics and natural materials such as cotton, linen and lyocell. No detail is overlooked: even its buttons are made from imitation shell, recycled plastic or corozo, recycled paper is used as much as possible in the packaging, and a portion of its proceeds go to charity each year. dearsamfu.com
Sui
It’s easy to get started on your journey into slow fashion with Sui’s wearable classics. The brand’s chic, versatile looks are made for women and little ones, using hand-embroidered, herbal-dyed and hand printed techniques. From vibrant pops of colour to breezy silhouettes to charming prints, each design adds a splash of fun to any outfit. Build your conscious wardrobe with these ethically crafted pieces made of handwoven organic cotton, Lenzing Tencel, lyocell and organic cotton. Best of all, you can rest easy knowing they’re made to order with clean design practices and sustainable fabrics. sg.wearesui.com
Our Barehands
With the belief that “every pair of hands holds the power to make a difference”, this local label and social enterprise was founded by three friends. Their commitment? To create a sustainable livelihood for artisans and their communities. All pieces by Our Barehands are made to order by refugees in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as block printers in India, which means they can take up to seven weeks to be delivered. Hop on board the slow fashion movement with its range of effortlessly stylish tops, pants, dresses, jumpsuits and skirts. ourbarehands.com
OliveAnkara
Loud and proud is the best way to describe OliveAnkara. The slow fashion brand in Singapore takes inspiration from traditional African designs, embracing rich colours and striking prints to deliver pieces that never fail to make you stand out in a room full of fashionistas. Featuring unisex street styles, bold dresses and dreamy skirts, the collections are ethically hand-sewn by seamstresses in Singapore and Shanghai with materials like TENCEL™ Lyocell. The brand also focuses on its zero-waste philosophy by upcycling fabric cut-offs and scraps, as well as using planet-friendly packaging. oliveankara.com
