Yes, Earth-Friendly High-Fashion Exists

published 20 April 2018

The Collaboration: Osklen and Tarsila do Amaral

Clothing, Fashion model, Fashion, Day dress, Shoulder, Dress, Fashion design, Sleeve, Fashion show, Joint, — 'A spring look from Osklen features artwork by Tarsila do Amaral.'

Osklen designer Oskar Metsavaht has created a 35-piece capsule collection honoring Tarsila do Amaral, one of Brazil’s most acclaimed 20th-century female artists. With the approval of do Amaral’s family, a variety of her sketches and paintings, including her most famous work, Abaporu, have been silk-screened onto structured tops, fluid dresses, and wide leg pants. And by using recycled cotton and sustainably harvested pirarucu fish and salmon skins for accessories, Osklen—which has developed eco-fabrics with sustainable-development organization Instituto-E for its main line—stays true to its ethical-fashion ethos.

Osklen top, $469; skirt, $1,089; shoes, $179; sunglasses, $297

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'center']The Designer: Maggie Marilyn

Blue, Standing, Fashion, Electric blue, Outerwear, Arm, Fun, Textile, Human body, Fashion design, — 'Maggie Marilyn’s ruffled denim jacket is cut in a way that reduces fabric waste.'

Newcomer Maggie Marilyn is already a pro at creating in-demand looks for street-style stars. Unexpected pattern combos? Yup. Vetements-esque blousing silhouettes? You bet. Almost all production takes place in Marilyn’s home country, New Zealand, so she can ensure that pieces are being made ethically (with, say, living wages for employees) and sustainably (using organic cotton and recycled metal zippers, for instance). “I want to produce clothing that enriches the lives of the customer,” she says, “but it also has to enrich the lives of the people involved in my textile and garment production.”

Maggie Marilyn jacket, $1,800; pants, $295

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The Accessory: Behno Bags

Bag, Red, Handbag, Product, Fashion accessory, Leather, Material property, Luggage and bags, Messenger bag, Shoulder bag,

Founder and creative director Shivam Punjya has turned the focus of fashion company Behno to handbags. The hallmark of its first accessories season is the Sister Bag set, a trio of bags named after three of Punjya’s favorite working women—Hannah Bronfman, Lily Kwong, and yours truly. The versatile Amanda, for example, can be worn as a fanny pack, clutch, cross-body, or shoulder purse. The label is known for its bottom-up “Behno Standard,” which addresses the needs of garment workers and artisans in India, including access to health care and clean water. “We wanted to be in spaces,” says Punjya, “where we could make the most impact.”

Behno bag, $395

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This story appears in the April issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands now.