There are many, if not all, who care about the planet from the bottom of their creative and fashion-forward hearts. These designers strike the most righteous balance the Earth needs at the moment. We all agree that, when fashion is high-end, avant-garde, and sustainable, all at the same time, that’s the best kind of fashion. Sustainable high-end fashion serves several important purposes that contribute to a more responsible and conscious fashion industry and society as a whole. We are all aware that the fashion industry is notorious for its significant environmental footprint, including water consumption, pollution, and waste generation. Sustainable high-end fashion aims to reduce this impact by using eco-friendly materials, adopting eco-conscious production processes, and promoting circular fashion practices such as recycling and upcycling.

Fashion designers have set industry standards. High-end fashion has a significant influence on the broader fashion industry. When well-known luxury brands adopt sustainable practices, they set an example for other companies, leading to positive changes throughout the industry. Sustainable high-end fashion aligns luxury with responsible practices, demonstrating that fashion can be both exquisite and environmentally/socially conscious. By leading the way in adopting sustainable approaches, high-end fashion can inspire positive changes throughout the entire industry and encourage consumers to make more mindful choices in their fashion purchases. So, we curated a list of these fashion creators who actively incorporate sustainability into their practices. They are well-known high-end designers who are known for their commitment to sustainable fashion.

Examples include Sebastian A. de Ruffray, the creative director of the creator of this Paris-based label believes there's something beautiful about discovering new ways to turn ordinary materials into something special. Sevali is a brand that's really pushing the boundaries of what's possible. They use circular design to create amazing pieces that tell a story about where they came from. They also use artisanal recycling methods to make their pieces. They mainly use hand-stitching, dyeing, and beading, and each piece requires its own process to be deconstructed and turned into clothing. All of this is done with the utmost care and attention to detail, so each piece is like a piece of art.

The next person is Spencer Phipps, the Creative Director of Phipps, who gives himself the onus to protect the planet through his business. Prior to embarking on a career with renowned fashion designers Marc Jacobs and Diane von Noten, he was already pushing the boundaries of fashion with his commitment to teco-friendly design and a commitment to creating clothing that honors the natural environment.

“Our current goal within the company is to try and address our carbon footprint and see about the possibility of becoming fully carbon neutral,” the designer claims. This design house, which was initially established in Paris, is now a prototype for “conscious clothing.” Phipps is founded on the principles of respect and curiosity for the natural world. We are exploring the concept of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the realm of style,” reads the official website of the clothing company.

Matthew M. Williams is the creative Director of 1017 ALYX 9SM, which is big on taking care of Planet Earth. "There are too many clothes on this Earth. If I am going to take the responsibility of making clothing, I need to make something that deserves to exist." Williams stated this in an interview with GQ magazine. His brand 1017, ALYX 9SM, was founded in the big apple and now exists in Milan. It pays as much attention to innovation as it does to sustainability. Their current Instagram bio. which reads “In search of a meaningful connection” in capital letters, justifies it. Unlike Streetwear, Alyx Studio has always been built on top-notch materials and craftsmanship. It shows and reflects, without a doubt, how committed Matthew is making a positive impact on the fashion industry.

The next person is Priya Ahluwalia, Creative Director of AHLUWALIA. This London-based designer is redefining sustainability by making it sexy. Her approach to earth-friendly fashion is so captivating that it makes the essential concept of sustainability exciting. The "Face of Sustainable Fashion" has emerged as a leader in the global market for sustainable fashion. “Ahluwalia,” which goes by the designer’s last name, explores the potential of vintage and surplus clothing by giving existing material a new life through various textile and patchwork techniques. Her trip to the city of Panipat in India made her realize the existence of second-hand clothing in abundance and eventually birthed the idea of making her designs sustainable. One of the few young designers who's taking a stand on climate change and sustainability, Ahluwalia's products are made with recycled deadstock.

Yuhan Bai is the Creative Director of Yuhan Bai and he shows how far sustainable fashion stretches its arms and legs. Yuhan is producing her clothing collection from earth-based alternative leathers. Her design ideas have always been grounded in the concept of sustainable development in conjunction with spiritual awareness, conceptualizing both material and intangible elements. A Royal College of Art student, Yuhan curated an assemblage that consists of a soil leather corset and a selection of soil-dyed items. He is combating the adverse effects of the fashion industry through her unique creative ideas.

Yuima Nakazato, the Creative Director of Yuima Nakazato, is a Japanese designer whose journey to Kenya enabled him to observe the waste situation and to gain insight into the ways in which inhabitants of the country sustain themselves by only using available resources. Designer Yuima Nakazato's fashion collections are not only ahead of their time in incorporating cutting-edge technologies, but they also address environmental issues in a way that has never been seen before. The artist is an inspiration to many as he continues to innovate a style that is avant-garde while he’s making sure our planet isn’t impacted negatively by it.

Finally, Adebayo Okelawal, the Creative Director of Orange Culture, is also called the “wind of change” by NativeMag and has established himself as a pioneering fashion designer, who stands in opposition to traditional gender roles and practices sustainable fashion. His brand sources all their fabrics from local Nigerian makers and makes sure only to use the best materials and produce as little waste as possible. Adebayo is a leader in creating eco-friendly fashion that's all about helping the community

Article by Palak Godara, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Research & Tearsheets by Mia Fyson, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine

Designers Who Make Fashion That Is Sustainable, High-End, And Avant-Garde Possible