Spotlight on Sustainable Brands – Outerknown and Mini Mioche
Spotlight on Sustainable Brands – Outerknown and Mini Mioche
Below are more sustainable brands, as promised, who are also working to ensure transparency and environmentally conscious techniques are used throughout their supply chain.
Outerknown
Created by surf legend Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a brand focused on providing stylish surfwear in a sustainable and responsible manner. “We’re surfers who grew up with surf brands, but we grew out of logos,” designer John Moore says of the brand. “And we want to wear clothing that’s made better, fits better and looks better.”
Image courtesy of Outerknown
The brand abides by the Fair Labor Association’s guidelines, and supports the Ocean Conservancy nonprofit, promoted and supported through their #itsnotok t-shirt. Partnering with Econyl, the brand recycles fishing nets to be made into their jackets and swim trunks, and uses organic, recycled and regenerated materials when possible to reduce the company’s environmental impact.
Ensuring garment workers are treated and compensated fairly is another major aspect to the way Outerknown does business. “A focused approach towards people drives our social sustainability program,” the website states. “Our high standards ensure safe working environments, fair compensation, and improved education opportunities.”
Image courtesy of Outerknown
As one might expect, the products are cool and laid back, but not too far back. The bestselling t-shirts are classic fit, many featuring a pocket, and the swim trunks and pants also have a classic fit that hangs well off the body without bagging or restricting. Stripes, floral prints and watery patterns are used throughout. It is clear that design is highly important to this brand – with an 11 time World Surf League Champion at the helm, practicality of fit and function is a necessity that shines through in the product.
Mini Mioche
Based out of Toronto, Mini Mioche creates baby clothes and focuses on doing the best they can locally, working with local nonprofits and promoting other local businesses. Global Organic Textile Standard certified organic cotton is sourced from India, to reduce the environmental impact as well as to provide a safer and more natural fiber for the baby’s clothing. Plus, all the clothing is made in Canada. “We actually know the people who make our clothing,” the website states. “We visit our factories regularly and we know that they are paid a fair wage and are treated well.”
Image courtesy of Mini Mioche
Mini Mioche was established in 2008 by Alyssa Kerbel based on a drive to find simple, ethically made clothing for her own children. So as you might expect, the clothing is just that – simple, well-made clothing for children and babies. Uncomplicated items in soothing colors are the hallmark of the brand, heavily featuring a heathery-gray color throughout. The occasional stripe or verbiage disrupts the single-colored pieces, and accessories sourced from other local businesses are on offer as well.
Image courtesy of Mini Mioche
Giving back to the community is a leading aspect of the company’s identity. The brand works with Good Foot Delivery, a local delivery service that employs individuals with disabilities to deliver products on foot, on a daily basis. Mini Mioche also works with other local nonprofits, regularly giving a portion of sales to organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross, and donating lightly-used clothes to the Theresa Group, a foundation dedicated to helping women and children in Toronto who live with HIV and AIDS.
Spotlight on Sustainable Brands – Outerknown and Mini Mioche
