Buying products from upscale and luxury brands is considered an investment, with the hefty price tag often giving people reason for pause. For those who do buy from these brands, it’s considered an experience. Luxury and upscale brands create a taste of the high life usually only afforded by the extremely wealthy, and so, for those who are not, many of these products become keepsakes, some even passed down between generations.
Beyond that, there is becoming more of a focus on sustainability and ethical working practices within all industries, but especially upscale and luxury brands within the fashion industry. As more brands are coming into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, it’s also important to highlight the ones who are committing themselves to doing better.
- Another Tomorrow
Another Tomorrow was founded in 2018 on the need to have better practices within the fashion industry. They have a mission of sustainability and ethically and responsibly made clothing, meaning, they do not use animal skins, furs, horns or silk in any of their clothing and are committed to using ethical hiring and working practices across the company.
- Augustinus Bader
Augustinus Bader is not only working towards revolutionizing skincare, but also making the world a better place. In addition to their transparent sustainability practices, they have a program called “you shop, we donate ” where you can choose which of the many charities they’re partnered with, and they will donate 5 per cent of your purchase to them.
- Burberry
Burberry has introduced new transparency policies, including sustainability initiatives and DE&I initiatives to increase diversity at all levels. Burberry is a member of RE100, a global corporate renewable energy initiative and in addition to helping to reduce C02 emissions, Burberry has now banned use of real fur and exotic animal skins in all of their products.
- Armani
In 2021, the Giorgio Armani Foundation was created to increase its contributions to sustainability and responsible practices. They boast transparency on their progress reports, and in addition, have partnered with foundations like Aqua For Life to help bring water to those in need.
- Bite Studios
BITE (By Independent Thinkers for Environmental Progress) has built their entire brand on sustainability. Their goal is to make clothing that lasts for years to come and makes as little impact on the environment as possible. They also have a list on their website of the materials they do not use, including fur and animal skin.
- Gabriela Hearst
First launched in 2015, this namesake brand is a powerhouse when it comes to giving back. Gabriela Hearst herself is a member of the Board of Trustees for Save the Children and regularly donates up to 100 per cent of net proceeds to charities and relief funds. She also participated in the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties and in 2019, the brand achieved its goal of being completely plastic free.
- Moncler
An Italian luxury fashion brand most well known for its apres-ski attire, Moncler is another brand that consumers should be looking out for. They post all progress reports of sustainability and DE&I initiatives on their website and boast carbon neutrality in all directly managed company locations globally. They also have a high representation of women at all levels within the company.
- Diesel
Like many other brands on this list, Diesel is committed to transparency in their reports regarding sustainability and diversity and inclusion. In 2022, their “When Together” campaign was awarded by the Italian Diversity Brand Summit for its inclusivity, and in 2022, they partnered with Tom of Finland Foundation to support and celebrate queer artists.
- Loewe
In addition to their sustainability practices, the Loewe Foundation was founded in 1988 with the goal of celebrating and preserving the arts. Every year, they hold competitions to spotlight those in the top of their discipline in craft, poetry, dance, photography and art.
- Fendi
Finally, Fendi rounds out our list as another brand committed to transparency and sustainability. They have a strict code of ethics for both themselves and suppliers, and socially they have partnered with many organizations including those that support disadvantaged women and immigrant workers.
Lily Frances | Staff Writer
