Posts in SWAC: Fashion
Spring Into Summer Sustainability

As the warm weather approaches, we become more aware of the need for summer clothing. While we switch from pants to shorts and long sleeves to short sleeves, we should consider the consequences of our choices. Considering we live in an era where we must be ecologically sensitive, we must examine how one purchase might affect more than just ourselves. Not to fear Jejune Magazine has a list of the perfect summer brands for you here!

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Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking!

The transition into spring comes with a lot of change, be it in weather, skin type or even the way the body reacts to certain agents. In addition to this, the dawn of spring allows us to expand into new beginnings, try out new things, and cherish the happy weather! Jejune Magazine has put together some fun spring based brands that surround the theme of florals and botanics. Read on to know more!

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Voes & Co's Cactus Leather Boots: The Eco-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Leather

Desiree Dupuis, the visionary founder of Voes & Co, is launching an exciting new line of boots this month made from an innovative and sustainable material: cactus leather. These stylish Chelsea Boots are not only fashion-forward, but they're also eco-friendly and animal-free.

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Juntos - Look Good. Do Good.

Juntos, which means "together" in Spanish, is an innovative shoe company that aims to promote sustainability. Juntos believes that every individual has the power to make a positive impact and that small changes in our lifestyle can lead to significant changes for the better. Their shoes are both stylish and sustainable, made from materials such as alpaca wool and banana trees sourced directly from the Ecuadorian landscape. The production process is responsible and fair, and each purchase contributes to the education of Ecuadorian students in need. I had the privilege of trying out a pair of Juntos shoes and can attest to their comfort and style. Not only are they sustainably made and ethically sourced, but they are also incredibly comfortable and fashionable. Whether you're running errands or taking a leisurely stroll, Juntos shoes will keep you looking stylish and feeling good. Juntos is the perfect choice for those seeking an environmentally friendly option that is comfortable, stylish, and allows them to make a positive impact. Read on to learn more about the Juntos shoe and how it could be the perfect fit for you this season.

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LaBante - Apple Leather Accessories!

LaBante is changing the way people look at bags and accessories. Based in London, the brand has an interesting approach to reinventing typical materials to be more sustainable and ethical. The founder, Vanita Badlani , whose career started in Banking, was quick to create a market that catered to producing bespoke designer bags that were a byproduct of her love for fashion and vegetarianism. Rooting itself in fashion respect, LaBante’s core values are reflected in the quality of their handbags and their ethical manners of working. Let Jejune Magazine help you know more about LaBante!

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How to Make Sustainable Fashion More Affordable

Fast fashion is often much cheaper than sustainable fashion partly due to how cheaply it’s produced. Fast fashion might be a way to keep up with trends while on a budget, but at what cost to the environment? Here are some ways you can be eco-friendly and enjoy sustainable fashion at an affordable price. 

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Otrium - Giving New Life To End-of-Season Fashion

Otrium is on a mission to create a more conscious and sustainable fashion industry. By leveraging technology to connect conscious consumers with excess stock from leading brands. They are empowering people to reduce industry waste and shop more consciously while giving fashion brands a lasting presence. With their innovative approach, Otrium is reducing the amount of clothing that is sent to landfills and providing customers with access to stylish and affordable fashion. By working directly with brands to sell their end-of-season inventory for up to 75% off, Otrium is helping to create a future where all clothing is worn. Jejune had the opportunity to speak with Zuhairah Scott Washington, President & Chief Operations Officer of Otrium, about their mission to create a more sustainable and affordable future for the fashion industry. Read our exclusive interview below to learn more!

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Healing The Planet With The Black Touch

The past few years have seen an uproar in the BLM movement, seeking justice for and recognition of the struggles of the Black community. The call for support of the same extended out to small businesses run by various members of the community. There was also a drastic shift towards sustainable consumption that ran parallelly to the BLM protests. The culmination of these divergent points of focus has given direction to 2023. Keeping in mind the current state of the world environmentally and politically, Jejune Magazine has thrown light on some Black owned sustainable businesses, with the intention of empowering the Black community while attempting to heal the environment one purchase at a time.

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Nation - Evolving The T-shirt

Sustainable clothing comes in many shapes and sizes these days, but what is more sustainable than eco-friendly made staples? We want to have clothing that isn’t just for a one or two time use, and that is what Nation is going for. Nation’s goal is to take the basic like a t-shirt but jazz it up into a beautiful fashion item that can be worn on many occasions. I had the pleasure to wear Nation’s Violet Long Sleeve top, and I can tell you that this Peruvian made 100% cotton top is so soft and light that it almost feels like you aren’t wearing anything at all. The design as a lovely cut and can easily be dressed up or down depending on the pants pairing. Please read on to learn more about the sustainable fashion brand Nation.

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Helpsy - The Growing Business of Circular Fashion

Helpsy is a B Corps clothing collection company that works with municipalities, retailers and brands for returns/overstock and liquidation. They are the largest collector of clothing in the Northeast. After sorting, most of the collected clothing items are sold and the damaged pieces are downcycled. Helpsy is working to radically change the way people think about recycling. Please read on to learn more!

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The Holiday Gift Guide You Never Knew You Needed

The holidays are closer than you think! If you are one of those people that shop last minute and are usually in a frenzy, or simply want to gift their loved ones something different or unique this year, this holiday gift guide is definitely for you! Featuring brands from around the world that have something for everybody, Jejune Magazine is here to show you that gifting does not need to be stressful or complicated. Let’s spread some holiday cheer with the perfect sustainable gifts for your loved ones!

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An Ode to American History Through Fashion

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we can’t ignore the impact of Native American fashion on the fashion industry. With more voices in fashion advocating for cultural awareness and speaking against the appropriation of Indigenous and Native American culture, the wave of the rise in the number of designers coming from these tribes has led to a new revolution. On this note, Jejune Magazine has culminated a list of Native American designers to be on the lookout for!

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Fall-ing for Sustainability

With the onset of fall comes the beginning of our shopping hauls for something warmer. However, while scouring the stores, we might not be aware of where the fabric for our shoes and clothes are sourced from, and how they are produced. The current state of the world requires us to be more conscious while making purchases as every single one of our decisions has an impact on the environment. Jejune Magazine has put together a list of sustainable brands to shop from this fall!

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Take a Step Towards Sustainability with Psudo Sneakers

Let's discuss footwear! Shoes are everywhere. With so many variations and pricing points, there must be one style of shoe that stands out above the rest, be it boots, heels, platforms, or sneakers. Additionally, as the fashion industry and businesses are impacted by climate change, finding economical solutions for both you and the earth is undoubtedly a plus while shoe shopping! Dive into Psudo Sneakers with us!

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Stripe & Stare - Adorably Saving The Planet In Comfort

Being a woman is hard, first we are expected to be a boss and a mom and anything else the world needs, but then we have to be stunning while we do it. Fashion, especially lingerie, has been notoriously designed by men to make women sexy and very uncomfortable. But what if I could tell you that we actually can have the best of both worlds (plus help the environment at the same time), and, spoiler, women made it happen! Meet Stripe & Stare! Stripe & Stare focuses on sustainable lounge and underwear that is not only comfortable, but it is super cute. They celebrate their knicker/bikini design, which personally is my go to cut (very flattering!), but also use an array of fun fabric designs like tie-dye and colorful patterns. If the knicker isn’t your jam, they offer all the rest of the typical cuts in many of the same patterns. If this hasn’t convinced you, let me tell you about how soft and sustainable these fabrics are..

First, Stripe & Stare was kind enough to send me some samples to try out, so I personally know the level of softness. Now, I am typically a cotton girl, but I can honestly tell you that the TENCEL (which is 100% sustainable and made from trees) is one of the softest fabrics I have ever touched. Not only are the colorful panties silky smooth and very cute, but I now officially live in their Lightweight Jogger. These pants are comfortable enough to sleep in, but can be dressed up if you want to take them out to the beach or a park. They also come with pockets, just saying.

Anyway, enough from me, Jejune was lucky enough to dive deeper with Co-Founder Katie Lopes. Please check out our exclusive interview below.

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Shop Sustainably With These American-Made Companies

The current climate crisis has consumers eager to shop sustainably with American-made brands committed to eco-friendly manufacturing and shipping. Sustainable companies use organic, nontoxic and environmentally friendly-sourced materials and ingredients in their products, while purchases from the United States help offset harmful transport emissions. Make a difference by shopping for sustainable clothing, beauty and furniture products with these 10 eco-conscious, American-based companies.

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Learning That Less is More with Sustainable Fashion Brand KZ_K Studio

KZ_K Studio is a New York City based ready-to-wear luxury fashion brand that everyone should know about. This brand focuses on slow fashion, local production, limited quantities along with minimal and multifunctional designs. We spoke with Karolina Zmarlak, who is the co-founder, designer, and creative director of the brand. She immigrated from communist Poland in the 90's. With limited resources, she had only a few items, but they were made with the utmost quality by local craftspeople. This led to her appreciation for the less is more mentality which she instills in the KZ_K Studio brand. The newest Warm Cycle (or Spring Collection) incorporates various sustainable fabrics including cupro, plant dyed organic cotton, and recycled polyester. Continue reading below to learn more about KZ_K Studio and the beautiful multi-functional pieces they create through sustainable practices!

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HAQ-NI- Paving the Way for Reinvention

On this Juneteenth long weekend we celebrate, Haqikah and Naima Abdullah — trendsetters, sisters, and entrepreneurs. These sisters are paving the way for reinvention. HAQ-NI, based in New York City, is transforming the traditional and simpler options for hijabs into something luxurious, high-quality, and fashionable. These hijabs are reimagining traditional scarves and empowering Muslim women by providing them with unique and stylish hijabs that allows them to feel both beautiful and confident. Their impact does not end there, as sustainability is an important aspect of their business, and making long-lasting scarves is a top priority. They are changing the game in fashion, and we can't wait to see what they do next. Please read our exclusive interview below with co-founders Haqikah and Naima Abdullah to learn more about HAQ-NI.

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Sustainability in Italian Fashion

Since the post World War II era, Italy has created a fashion empire known for its craftsmanship and elegant sense of style. Subsequently, the ‘Made in Italy’ label has gained international recognition for products of the highest quality and authenticity. To compete with other countries in the global fashion supply chain, Italian fashion brands have implemented environmental and social sustainability into its practices. The Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), also known as ‘The National Chamber for Italian Fashion,’ has a Sustainability Working Group Sector that sets disciplines, coordinates and promotes the development of responsible Italian fashion. Its manifesto has guidelines for manufacturing practices, sustainable retail, and eco-toxicological requirements for articles of clothing and industrial discharges; among others. The non-profit association is located in Milan and its members include the likes of Gucci, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo.

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Why People Should Switch to Vegan Shoes and Why We Are Seeing More Brands Going This Route - By Crystal Toledano

Veganism is a concept that most people rarely see beyond the context of food. However, the growing interest in veganism has also spurred a slow but steadily increasing attraction towards vegan clothing and shoes. The vegan footwear market is set to grow by an average annual rate of 6.8% throughout the next decade. This shows that, although vegan shoes are not mainstream, just yet, we’re seeing it trend towards that direction.

The simple truth is that there is plenty of value to be found in vegan footwear, a significant portion of which lies in heightened care for the planet and everything in it. The best part is that you don’t need to sacrifice quality for your values. There are now many vegan shoes that could easily hold up to their animal-based counterparts; some might even hold up better. That said, here are some of the best reasons why people should begin making the switch to vegan shoes.

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