Top 11 Sustainable Clothing Brands to Watch Out For in 2024
Top 11 Sustainable Clothing Brands to Watch Out For in 2024 · 1. PANGAIA · 2. Vuori · 3. Finisterre · 4. Patagonia · 5. Passenger · 6. Stella McCartney · 7. Story MFG.
environmental impact
Like other fashion companies on this list, Stella McCartney's garments are made from planet-friendly materials, such as grape-based alternatives to leather manufactured from 80% recycled raw waste.  According to the Stella McCartney website, the <anchor>environmental impact</anchor> of animal-free leather is 24 times lower than animal-based materials.
Vegetarian Leather | Stella McCartney US
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![Vegetarian Leather](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 2800 1009'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 2800 1009'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1056 1056'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

## Vegetarian Leather

Stella McCartney has never used leather, feathers, fur or skin since day one. By taking this stance, we are proof it is possible to create beautiful luxury products that are cruelty free.

As well as being cruel, leather’s environmental impact is incredibly high. Animal agriculture accounts for around 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and is driving the destruction of our rainforests. 1

![branches](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 775 1020'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 775 1020'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

We use innovative animal- and cruelty-free alternatives that look and feel luxurious and have an environmental impact that is up to 24 times lower than animal leathers. We are constantly striving to improve on that even further by looking for oil-free, plant-based materials.

### A better environmental impact

When we established Stella McCartney in 2001, there were doubts in the industry that it would be possible to create a luxury fashion brand without using leather or fur. We proved that it is possible – then and now.

Our leather alternatives do not just look good, but they are also better for the environment. Using synthetic leather instead of Brazilian calf leather, for example, creates up to 24 times less environmental impact, as calculated through the Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L).

Animal agriculture and leather

- Leather impacts are driven by land use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with animal agriculture, as well as the energy use and water consumption requirements of tanneries.
- The FAO estimates that animal agriculture is responsible for between 14.5% and 18% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and 65% of this is from cattle (compared to other animal species)¹.
- In the Amazon, around 17% of the forest has been lost in the last 50 years – mostly due to forest conversion for cattle ranching².
- The livestock sector is the world’s largest user of agricultural land, through grazing and the use of feed crops³.

Vegetarian leather vs real leather in the EP&L

- Through the EP&L, we have been able to directly compare the impact of the synthetic alternatives that we use to the impacts of leather use.
- We have learned that one of the most significant drivers of environmental impact is the land use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with animal rearing. Other important impacts are energy use and water requirements of tanneries as well as water pollution resulting from chemicals used in the tanning process.
- In Brazil, the cattle industry has been a driver of deforestation and land conversion, which results in the loss of important ecosystem services. As a result, Brazilian calf leather has a high environmental impact in the EP&L of around €13 per kg compared to polyester, which has an average EP&L impact of €1 per kg of material.
- Although our decision to avoid leather enables us to have a lower environmental impact than those brands that do choose to use the material, we openly acknowledge that synthetic alternatives are not without concern.
- The EP&L has shown that the most damaging impact of the production of synthetic materials such as polyester or polyurethane is the extraction and processing of oil into yarn. However, the shedding and environmental impact of microfibres from synthetic materials has been significantly undervalued in the LCA datasets that the fashion industry relies on.

I think one of the biggest compliments is when I know people go in and buy a Falabella bag or a pair of shoes, or a faux leather skirt, and they have no idea they’re not real leather. I think that’s really where it becomes sexy. Where you’re not just providing an alternative… you’re creating a great product

Stella McCartney in Vogue, 2017

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### Innovative materials and safer chemicals

Since 2013, we have been using Alter Nappa for our shoes and bags. We are switching to waterborne and solvent-free polyurethanes that are less energy and water intensive and are safer for people to work with.

![desert](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 775 1020'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 775 1020'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

We are striving to reduce the impact of our alternative materials by using recycled or renewable materials. We are also working closely with the biotechnology company Bolt Threads to generate next-generation fabrics created from natural ingredients. Together, in 2018, we made our Falabella bag from Mylo™ – an innovative new material that looks and feels like leather, but is vegan and grown from mycelium, the underground root structure of mushrooms.

In 2020, we also grew our partnership with Bolt Threads by joining a consortium of forward-thinking brands promoting the advancement of Mylo™ – aiming to innovate, develop and produce it at a larger scale in order to help drive demand and end the fashion industry’s reliance on animal leather. We released the first-ever prototype garments made from the material in March 2021, a bustier top and trousers.

1 Key facts and findings, Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations

2Deforestation Overview, WWF

3FAO’s role in livestock and the environment, Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations

Other Materials & Innovation

![recycled cashmere](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)recycled cashmere![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Recycled Cashmere

Our knitwear collections are made from recycled cashmere.

![fibres](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)fibres![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Fibres From Forests

We source our viscose in a way that helps to protect ancient forests.

![fur](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)fur![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Fur Free Fur

We believe that fashion can be luxurious without using leather or fur.

![metals](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)metals![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Metals

We are working to reduce the environmental impacts of our metal consumption.

![organic cotton](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)organic cotton![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Organic Cotton

We use organic cotton to create products in ways that enrich the environment.

![recycled nylon](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)recycled nylon![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Recycled Nylon and Polyester

Synthetic materials can –and should– be recycled and come from recycled sources.

![silk](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)silk![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Silk

We are exploring entirely new ways of creating silk.

![wool](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)wool![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Wool

We source from farms committed to animal welfare and environmental stewardship, where possible.

![paper](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)paper![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Paper and Packaging

Our paper and packaging come from recycled and certified sustainable sources.

![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 806 1074'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Clevercare

We consider our environmental footprint at every point of our design process, even after our products have been sold.

![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1060 1414'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1060 1414'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Spotlight on: Airslide

Our new Air Slides are a step in a more circular direction.

![greenpeace](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1060 1414'%3E%3C/svg%3E)greenpeace![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1060 1414'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Spotlight on: Stella x Greenpeace

We are exclusively releasing two t-shirts and two sweatshirts supporting Greenpeace’s campaign to stop deforestation.

Sustainability

![Circularity](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 1353'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Circularity![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 1353'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Circularity

![Social Sustainability](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 827'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Social Sustainability![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 827'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Social Sustainability

![Measuring Our Impact](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 1231'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Measuring Our Impact![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 1231'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Measuring Our Impact

![Our Commitments](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 1084'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Our Commitments![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1084 1084'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

Our Commitments

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