My mission at Azura Bay is to curate the best of the best in the ethical + eco lingerie, pjs, + loungewear market and make it an easy place for you to shop cute, comfy and conscious brands that will actually fit, stay in your wardrobe for years and empower you and the people making the items.
I'm so proud of the amazing ethical brands I've partnered with, who are all either Fair Trade/Fair Wear certified or employing transparent, ethical practices to treat their employees with respect, fair wages and safe and positive work environments. Beyond supporting those ethics, all of them have been incorporating sustainable fabrics and production as much as possible (everything from zero waste collections by up-cycling fabric that was discarded by a bigger brand, to organic fabrics to waterless dying processes). This Fashion Revolution week, I wanted to share more about the wonderful makers I've so carefully sourced as well as more info about the Fashion Revolution movement and how you can get involved.
First of all, what is Fashion Revolution week?
The Fashion Revolution Organization was created as a response to the horrific Rana Plaza factory collapse in India, where 1,138 people were killed and 2,500 more injured on the 24th of April, 2013. Led by a team in the UK, their key goal is to create more transparency in the fashion industry as a means to demand change from suppliers to improve the working conditions for the vast (and often hidden) network of people who produce our clothing. The result is a campaign held over the week of April 24th every year, asking your favourite clothing brands via social media: #whomademyclothes? Learn more here.
How can you get involved?
It's as easy as taking a selfie. Post a picture in one (or several!!) of your favourite brands, inside out to show the tag. Tag the picture with the brand and ask them, #whomademyclothes? For more in depth ways to get involved, check out the Fash Rev website, as this year has brought some special challenges since we can't host in-person events AND big brands have dropped tons of garment factory accounts due to COVID-19 drops in demand and aren't paying their supply chains (there are ways to help listed on the Fash Rev site).
Shopping consciously:
While you all know where to find the best ethical & eco underwear and loungewear ;), what about the rest of your closet? There are a ton of amazing bloggers who have reviewed brands and rallied up their favourites in shopping lists, here are the brand list links on a few of my favs:
Plus, now is a great time to go through your closet, mend clothes that you love but could use some upkeep and sell (or shop) on thrift websites like Poshmark, ThredUp, etc.).
About our brands:
Cosabella, meaning “beautiful thing,” was founded in 1983 by the Italian Valeria Campello, who had just immigrated to the US and grew to include her husband and children as the company's directors. The company headquarters are located in Miami, Florida and the products are still manufactured in Italy using the highest grade fibers to create a refined blend of American design and Italian artisanship. The products are meticulously crafted to fit perfectly, (and boasts inclusive sizing for bralettes!) with seams that lay flat and using super soft Italian fabric and with an eye on sustainability, Azura Bay will be launching their recycled lace line in the fall of 2019. Shop their collection here.
Groceries Apparel is redefining transparency and human responsibility by supporting family farms, localized manufacturing, living wages, and Monsanto-free post-consumer ingredients (including veg dyed fabrics!). Their operation empowers human beings through fair-trade, fair conditions, and fair treatment across our entire supply chain and by providing full traceability to their customers. We operate our own California based factory (where their family dog often comes in to hang out!) to ensure we are able to follow through with our claims. Shop their collection here.
Created by designer Sofia Sokoloff, the undergarments are recognized for their exceptional fit, comfort and the high standards of their craftsmanship. Each piece is designed for the real woman. Based in Montreal, Sokoloff Lingerie is 100% designed and produced in Quebec, Canada - and in addition to their beautiful lace pieces they have launched an organics line as well. Shop the full collection here.
Only Hearts began in 1978 on Columbus Avenue in New York City as a tiny boutique dedicated to all things heart shaped. It quickly became an iconic NYC brand, and owner Helena Stuart started designing her own lingerie. Now partnered with her daughter, Kaya Stuart, the Only Hearts brand is a global favourite, seen on the hottest celebrities and in every major magazine. All products continue to be manufactured in the NYC garment district (which I got to visit last year! More #bts to come on instagram this week!) except for their organic cotton line, which is ethically produced in Peru. Shop the full collection here.
Created in 2015, Organic Basics is a Copenhagen based clothing company that creates sustainable, better made basics (ethically produced in European factories). They use innovative fabrics from organic cotton to tencel and create minimalist, comfy basics. Shop the collection here.
Underprotection is also a small-knit, family based company based in Copenhagen, Denmark and founded in 2010. Their vision is to create underwear that makes you feel fabulous, and loungewear you want to wear all week; all created with sustainable fabrics and produced in fair trade facilities in Europe + India.
Wama Underwear creates classic undies made with the super eco hemp fabric, which is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-odor, super soft and grows with much less water and pesticides than traditional crops. Wama uses organic hemp and manufactures in an ethical, GOTS certified factory in China, the worldwide leader in hemp textiles. Shop the collection here.
What began as a strong desire to improve on the foundational pieces of a woman’s postnatal wardrobe in a time when body image is scientifically proven to be at it’s lowest, turned into a comprehensive brand that celebrates and supports women in their journey of motherhood and beyond. Making every garment versatile for the needs of women, regardless of her life stage, is what makes our brand unique! MG's beautiful nursing bras don't have any clasps, so women who aren't nursing can enjoy the comfort of this structured bralette - in inclusive sizes! I got to visit Nadine + the factory last year which was such a great experience, check out my interview with her on my IGTV! Shop the collection here.
White Rabbit NYC creates super soft, comfy and accessible organic bamboo intimates at a family-owned manufacturer that only employs women, offers good working conditions like paid time off and social security, and pays fair wages. Of French heritage but based in Mexico City, they have more than 100 years of experience in making lingerie. We will be restocking their products soon as they've been backordered while they developed a new factory partnership!