I'm so proud of the amazing ethical brands carried at Azura Bay, who are all either Fair Trade certified or employing transparent, ethical practices to treat their employees with respect, fair wages and safe and positive work environments. Beyond supporting those ethics, all of them have been incorporating sustainable fabrics and production as much as possible (everything from zero waste collections by up-cycling fabric that was discarded by a bigger brand, to organic fabrics to waterless dying processes). This Fashion Revolution week, I wanted to share more about the wonderful makers I've so carefully sourced as well as more info about the Fashion Revolution movement and how you can get involved.
First of all, what is Fashion Revolution week?
The Fashion Revolution Organization was created as a response to the horrific Rana Plaza factory collapse in India, where 1,138 people were killed and 2,500 more injured on the 24th of April, 2013. Led by a team in the UK, their key goal is to create more transparency in the fashion industry as a means to demand change from suppliers to improve the working conditions for the vast (and often hidden) network of people who produce our clothing. The result is a campaign held over the week of April 24th every year, asking your favourite clothing brands via social media: #whomademyclothes? Learn more here.
How can you get involved?
It's as easy as taking a selfie. Post a picture in one (or several!!) of your favourite brands, inside out to show the tag. Tag the picture with the brand and ask them, #whomademyclothes? For more in depth ways to get involved, check out the website for your local FashRev organization, who will be hosting events in your home countries (Winnipeg, there are a ton of cool events this year, check them out + get tickets here).
While you all know where to find the best ethical & eco underwear, swim & loungewear ;), what about the rest of your closet? There are a ton of amazing bloggers who have reviewed brands and rallied up their favourites in shopping lists, here are the brand list links on a few of my favs:
- Leotie Lovely
- Sustainably Chic
- Selflessly Styled
- The Good Trade
- Simply Liv & Co
- My New Neighbour (Canadian focus!)
OUR BRANDS 
OUR BRAND STORIES
Cosabella, meaning “beautiful thing,” was founded in 1983 by the Italian Valeria Campello, who had just immigrated to the US and grew to include her husband and children as the company's directors. The company headquarters are located in Miami, Florida and the products are still manufactured in Italy using the highest grade fibers to create a refined blend of American design and Italian artisanship. The products are meticulously crafted to fit perfectly, (and boasts inclusive sizing for bralettes!) with seams that lay flat and using super soft Italian fabric and with an eye on sustainability, Azura Bay will be launching their recycled lace line in the fall of 2019. Shop their collection here.
Groceries Apparel is redefining transparency and human responsibility by supporting family farms, localized manufacturing, living wages, and Monsanto-free post-consumer ingredients (including veg dyed fabrics!). Their operation empowers human beings through fair-trade, fair conditions, and fair treatment across our entire supply chain and by providing full traceability to their customers. We operate our own California based factory (where their family dog often comes in to hang out!) to ensure we are able to follow through with our claims. Shop their collection here.
Created by designer Sofia Sokoloff, the undergarments are recognized for their exceptional fit, comfort and the high standards of their craftsmanship. Each piece is designed for the real woman. Based in Montreal, Sokoloff Lingerie is 100% designed and produced in Quebec, Canada - and in addition to their beautiful lace pieces they have launched an organics line as well. Shop the full collection here.
Only Hearts began in 1978 on Columbus Avenue in New York City as a tiny boutique dedicated to all things heart shaped. It quickly became an iconic NYC brand, and owner Helena Stuart started designing her own lingerie. Now partnered with her daughter, Kaya Stuart, the Only Hearts brand is a global favourite, seen on the hottest celebrities and in every major magazine. All products continue to be manufactured in the NYC garment district except for their organic cotton line, which is ethically produced in Peru. Shop the full collection here.
Created in 2015, Organic Basics is a Copenhagen based clothing company that creates sustainable, better made basics (ethically produced in European factories). They use innovative fabrics from organic cotton to tencel (new collection coming soon!!) and create minimalist, comfy basics. Shop the collection here.
Underprotection is also a small-knit, family based company based in Copenhagen, Denmark and founded in 2010. Their vision is to create underwear that makes you feel fabulous, loungewear you want to wear all week and swimwear that makes you dream about summer; all created with sustainable fabrics and produced in fair trade facilities. Their innovation includes using milk (yes milk!) fibre fabrics using the byproducts from the milk industry and amazing silky smooth lyocell fabrics (wood pulp with no chemical processing). PS - all their swim + cover-ups are on sale now!
Wama Underwear creates classic undies made with the super eco hemp fabric, which is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-odor, super soft and grows with much less water and pesticides than traditional crops. Wama uses organic hemp and manufactures in an ethical, GOTS certified factory in China, the worldwide leader in hemp textiles. Plus, they have men's styles! Shop the collection here.
What began as a strong desire to improve on the foundational pieces of a woman’s postnatal wardrobe in a time when body image is scientifically proven to be at it’s lowest, turned into a comprehensive brand that celebrates and supports women in their journey of motherhood and beyond. Making every garment versatile for the needs of women, regardless of her life stage, is what makes our brand unique! MG's beautiful nursing bras don't have any clasps, so women who aren't nursing can enjoy the comfort of this structured bralette - in inclusive sizes! Shop the collection here.
White Rabbit NYC creates super soft, comfy and accessible organic bamboo intimates at a family-owned manufacturer that only employs women, offers good working conditions like paid time off and social security, and pays fair wages. Of French heritage but based in Mexico City, they have more than 100 years of experience in making lingerie. Shop the collection here.
Halifax Paper Hearts is the most adorable print company based in the East Coast of Canada, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When we discovered their cute cards we loved the design and the philosophy behind their company:
- We believe in fairy tales, snail mail & cultivating closeness.
- Everything we make is heart-made, printed in small batches by a locally owned printing house, and hand-packaged with love, care & salty air on the East Coast of Canada.
- Our cards are made using forestry practices that are responsible, fair & environmentally sustainable.
- We donate a portion of our proceeds annually to a local charity.
London College of Fashion trained, designer Ellie Simpson-Gray’s passion for old Hollywood glamour informs her naturally sexy, wearable, and confident designs: “I believe lingerie is the most important part of a woman’s wardrobe; it should empower effortlessly.” Each Iris garment is individually handmade in their London studio from luxurious fabrics that are all up-cycled from bigger brands that were going to throw them out, creating a gorgeous zero-waste line. PS - All her designs are on sale right now!
PURPOSE Jewelry is beautifully crafted by young women rescued from sex trafficking around the world. By choosing Purpose Jewelry, you are providing freedom, dignity and hope for these amazing artisans.
They have worked with hundreds of young women around the world for the past 10 years. The art of jewelry making paired with holistic care ensures every artisan receives freedom and hope for the future. Holistic care is provided through their non-profit, International Sanctuary, and includes education, health care, and counseling. The Purpose program provides every artisan with the life skills and opportunities to succeed. Shop their bracelets here!
Vitamin A is inspired by travel, modern art, and the cult of global style-setters who collect their designs (Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba, and Halle Berry, to name a few). They're all about sexy, sun-kissed California beauty. The brand is designed and produced in California, and most designs use EcoLux™, an innovative superfine matte jersey made with 85% recycled nylon fiber. Designer Amahlia Stevens’ SoCal upbringing informs her laid-back modernist aesthetic and passion for sustainability. PS - the whole collection is on sale now!
Based in the US, but working with farms in India, PACT goes to great lengths to make sure their entire supply chain, from the growing and harvesting of the organic cotton to the final sewing and all the processes in between, are as clean and responsible as possible. Sadly, PACT is no longer wholesaling, but I have a couple pairs of their leggings left, on sale!