Fashion for Good: 7 Indonesian Brands Leading the Way Toward a Sustainable Future

Green consciousness has spread beyond a select few and has become an integral part of mainstream culture. The fashion industry must implement a sustainability strategy to keep going here and now and into the future. There has been a recent uptick in consumers truly thinking about the wider social and environmental impacts of their individual product choices. Sustainablebrands.com claims that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, both manufacturers and brands have experienced this trend.

Indonesian designers are also attempting to produce eco-friendly fashion items. Here are some of the local fashion brands leading the way in sustainability.

Sejauh Mata Memandang

Sejauh Mata Memandang has become a household brand in Indonesia for its commitment to environmental responsibility. The owner claims they have applied the slow fashion approach by creating new products from recycled textile basics and pre-consumer refuse. After beginning with linen and cotton, they have branched to include organic cotton and tencel. They have a large selection of products, from baby garments to adult apparels.

Its founder, Chitra Subyakto, has stated that launching a brand should not only focus on profit but also advocate for social issues by promoting a more careful approach to protecting the planet. The idea was initially met with resistance, but the brand has since built a strong reputation abroad for its products. In addition to Indonesia, the products are sold in the Malaysia and Singapore markets. As if that weren't enough, this company was also chosen as the Dewi Fashion Warriors for JFW 2022.

SARE/ Studio

The phrase #EverydayPajamas has become a signature for this brand. Sare Studio uses LENZING ECOVERO viscose in an effort to reduce its impact on the planet. A variety of pajamas, nightdress, outerwear, and underwear are available for purchase.

They have earned EU’s Ecolabel certification for their commitment to preserving the environment without sacrificing the comfort of their products. It has been verified throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material collection to distribution and disposal, as having fulfilled environmental standards.

Sukkha Citta

Sukkha Citta is the first ever local brand to earn B Corp certification from the nonprofit organization B Lab. They scored 95.3%, better than the average of 50.9%. The B Corp certification is earned to companies that meet the highest standards and have the ability to create positive social and environmental impact by implementing public transparency, legal accountability, and responsibility in balancing their social and profit aspects.

The 2016-founded brand aims to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers and artisans by paying them fair salaries and encouraging them to practice regenerative agriculture to preserve the planet. The brand is committed to the "Farm-to-Closet" principle of sustainable fashion production. Plants and agricultural waste are used to create natural colors that are then incorporated into the final product. On top of that, their home-made cotton is grown using intercropping, an age-old, all-natural chemical-free method. Five-sixths of the money made from sales reportedly goes back to the farmers and artisans in the community.

Pijak Bumi

When we talk about "fashion," we're not just talking about clothes. The Bandung-based brand takes care to ethically use the natural fibers and plants in its footwear, such as water hyacinth. It is critical to find primary materials that can fulfill these needs.

They use treadle sewing machines in production to reduce their environmental impact. The Indonesian brand has already begun exhibiting at the MICAM Milano 2020 footwear show. Among the 1,700 collections on display, only Pijak Bumi represented Southeast Asia. They had been also selected as one of the recipients in the Emerging Designers category, presented to only 12 of the world's most innovative shoe designers.

Imaji Studio

This brand focuses on using woven fabrics in its creations. Aiming to reduce their environmental effect, they use plant-based dyes in the coloring process. Imaji Studio's products are revamped with modern aesthetics to attract younger markets

Furthermore, the brand is also trying to reuse old garments. To further the zero-waste approach, they are engaging in upcycling activities to reduce the amount of clothing in landfills. Patchwork blankets and scarves are made from scraps of fabric that would otherwise be thrown away. Every pattern extensively uses traditional Indonesian motifs, such as tie-dye.

LANIVATTI

When Nicoline Patricia Malina couldn't find anything to wear on her holiday, she decided to start Lanivatti. Not only does she strive to create fashionable yet comfortable clothing, but the brand's founder also ensures that the products have a positive impact on the environment. The products are mostly biodegradable; 90 percent of the materials are made from tencel, organic cotton, linen, viscose, or rayon.

His background as a fashion photographer inspired her drive to create eco-friendly products. Her 12 years of experience have shown many areas for improvement, from the mounting pile of textile waste to the dismal welfare of industrial employees. The brand has partnered with companies like Lenzing’s TENCELTM? to help it achieve its sustainability objectives. Since she wanted her products to be easily recyclable, cellulose fiber has been chosen as the primary material.

osem

The brand started in 2014 and their products feature the jumputan, folding, binding, and dying technique. A natural plant dye called Indigofera Tinctoria is used specifically to create the blue hue for the brand.? Furthermore, dyeing methods are used in the process of coloring and designing their clothes. The materials consist of natural fibers like cotton, linen, hemp, and so on.