Leather's environmental impact is often misplaced. If you thought that leather is better than its synthetic alternatives because it is a “natural” material that will eventually decompose, think again. Every leather item in your wardrobe not only comes with cruelty but also bears a hefty price-tag for the planet. The livestock industry is responsible for nearly 15% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and contributes significantly to deforestation. People often forget how toxic the leather tanning process could be for the planet and workers. An animal decomposes when it’s natural. However, for the leather material to last, the animal skin undergoes a lot of chemical treatments, after which it isn’t going to decompose in your wardrobe. These workers who process leather are often victims of deadly diseases, respiratory illness, and skin conditions due to exposure to toxic chemicals. Animal cruelty, usage of chemicals, cutting down of rainforests and fires to clear forests f

The sustainability conversation in the fashion industry has moved from sidelines to the frontline in last few years. From fashion influencers & journalists to human rights & eco activists and ethical brands everyone is advocating for a more sustainable fashion industry, inspiring many to switch to a planet-friendly wardrobe. Congratulations if you have decided to make your wardrobe more sustainable! There must a million questions on your mind - what should I do with my existing wardrobe? Should I give away everything that is not sustainable - those polyester dresses and PVC bags? Do I need to start shopping from sustainable brands? Where can I learn about sustainable fashion brands? If you're not sure where or how to start your journey, that's okay. We've all been there when we started and are still learning and growing everyday. Don't be overwhelmed and remember you don't have to be perfect from day one or ever. But you need to be mindful of your choi

“#PAYUP FASHION INDUSTRY” In times of crisis, it is the most vulnerable people in society who suffer the most impact. This is the situation currently for the millions of workers in the fashion industry who make our clothes, shoes, bags, etc, most of them women. Irony is that, in this time of need, the fashion industry is failing its workers. According to Fashion Revolution, its common practice in fashion industry for brands to pay their suppliers months after delivery. So suppliers pay upfront for the materials used to make products, incurring cost while waiting for incoming payments. Now, with the chaos created by the corona virus pandemic major fashion brands are cancelling orders & stopping payments, shirking responsibility towards its global supply chain, even when the work has already been done. Of course, even the brands are in crisis but they can’t shift the financial burden onto the supply chain, especially when most have reported hundreds of millions of dollars (so

British iconic footwear brand, created by a German doctor, Dr. Martens is famous for their chunky boots, which have evolved from strictly workwear to punk must-haves to fashion-girl staples. Since 1940s Dr. Martens only made footwear cut from leather. But with the rise in veganism and growing demand for leather-free products, Dr. Martens finally dropped their first vegan collection in 2011. The collection comprised of two of its most iconic styles - the 8 eye boot and the 3 eye shoe. Ever since its launch, the sales of vegan Dr. Martens boots have sky rocketed and the brand has introduced various new styles and colors to its animal-free collection. While Dr. Martens cult combat boots with tough leather upper, air-cushioned sole, and yellow stitching are what the brand is most known for, they are so much more. Docs are also available in a wide range of styles available from shoes to sandals that all have an edge that is distinctively Dr. Martens. On one of my trips to San Franci

As a self-proclaimed shoe addict, I'm super picky when it comes to shoe shopping. A stylish pair that fits well is just the starting point. I want shoes that are also vegan, eco-friendly, sustainable, and I love it when they have innovative design. Shoes should combine style and sustainability - its not a choice of one over the other. However, one common problem with sustainable fashion is that most of their products do not score well on style and many-a-times they are not vegan. Eco-conscious sneakers, including most leather-free styles, are not vegan-friendly because the glues used in the construction is derived from animals. It's the same with the dyes. So it can be challenging to especially find eco-conscious sneakers that are also vegan. Fortunately, there are some shoes brands that have successfully created sneakers that look good, feel good and do good. These sneakers are not only made with vegan materials but also use sustainable materials like recycled plastic &a

Jewelry, especially fine, has a special place in every woman's wardrobe. There's something about jewelry that evokes a certain emotion or energy. I've always appreciated a finely crafted piece of precious jewelry because I know it's going to be with me forever. However, we rarely pay heed to the environmental and social risks involved in producing the jewelry. At a time when clean eating and conscious clothing are gaining traction, it's also important to find out where our gold and diamonds are coming from. Until recently, I was unaware of the dirty practices of the gold and diamond mining industry. Industrial gold mining destroys landscapes and creates huge amount of toxic waste (particularly mercury). Gold mining is the leading source of man-made mercury pollution in the world. In case you're wondering what is wrong with mercury, be known that it is a potent neurotoxin that harms the brains, muscles and vital organs of adults and especially children

Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it is luxurious. As someone who has always appreciated the quality and craftsmanship of a product, along with the exceptional service it comes with, I have started questioning the meaning of modern world luxury. At one point in time, luxury meant creating something beautiful and it relied on limitations of production and the value of rarity and scarcity. Unfortunately, the true essence of luxury is {almost} lost in the modern world. The globalization of luxury means that even the so-called luxury brands have cut down the quality and started overproducing goods in a race to boost profit. The ubiquitous luxury goods, which were once a true piece of art have been reduced to machine-made items, often made in China, with no focus on craftsmanship. You're paying more for something that's not exclusive (for example the current trending luxury bag's ubiquity is almost sickening to me sometimes), is inferior quality and often

The fashion industry is hands-down one of the most unethical and wasteful industries in the world. The harsh reality is, both consumers and producers are to blame for its state. We are buying 5 times as much fashion as we did in the 1980s and are trashing on an average about 13 million tones each year, most of which is never really recycled and ends up in the landfills. Wasteful fast-fashion brands play a big role in fueling this culture. They are not only infamous for causing irreversible damage to the planet but are also exploiting the workers and the animals in the process. As a fashion consumer, I started my journey to be more ethical when it comes to my wardrobe choices. Fortunately, on this course, I have come across several brands that are trying to break the fast-fashion mold and creating beautiful collections that are ethically made. In fact, many well-known {conventional} brands are also making an effort to be more responsible and adopting sustainable practices. Whi

Wearing Rhumaa Jacket, Nudie Vegan Jeans, Stella McCartney Shoes The resurgence of conscious living is making us consider our everyday choices. From food to fashion, there’s a dire need for us to switch to a more sustainable lifestyle to save the planet and for our health.     For those seeking to transform the concept of a green lifestyle from aspirational to achievable, there couldn’t have been better times. There are several companies committed to better practices making the life of ethical consumers less complicated than it was a few years ago. As an ethical consumer, our buying decisions are based not just on the quality and usefulness of products, but also on the ethical policies of the companies who sell them. Until a few years back, getting hold of a company’s ethical policy and information about their working practices was very challenging. Fortunately, things are much transparent now. With the help of organizations that are pushing the case of sustainability like