Mara Hoffman bandeau top and Amlul matching skirt and top
It took a while for me to understand what the acronym Y2K stood for (year 2000). Only to realize that we fast forwarded 20 years and what I was wearing in High School is officially back in fashion again.
Am I really that old or are trends coming back faster and faster? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. But after a year of joggers, socks and comfort wear, it's no surprise that we're all feeling some skin-cravings. And this is exactly what to expect from Y2K; belly-flashing, tight-fitting clothes that are somewhat Kitch.
Curious how to wear Y2K without looking like a Paris Hilton or Missy Elliot copy?
Only cherrypick what suits you, is the best strategy here. This style edit covers my sustainable and ethical favourites. Think body-hugging instead of skin-tight, do candy colours and stick to only one kitch Y2K accessory - like sunnies with tinted glasses or some piece of jewellery that looks like your 5-year-old niece made for Mother's Day.
And don't forget to check your (moms or auntie's secret) attic for vintage beauties. In the end, that's the pinnacle of sustainable shopping!
For hot summer days
A hot sizzling summer
SUMMER 2021
Brands in this style edit
A shoe brand for women 100% made in Spain. The brand does not follow trends and respects local craftsmanship and the environment. Expect a lot of candy coloured yet sophisticated leather and vegan footwear.
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The brand creates seasonless and limiteded edition clothes using organic or recycled materials. The brand produces, is located and ships from Spain. Garment supplies comes from Spain, Italy and Portugal. Beware the brand does not restock.
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Made to order brand, only uses high-quality organic, biodegradable or recycled fabrics. They don't use leather and fur. Designed, produced and shipped from Bulgaria. Sourcing fabric from small family-owned, socially responsible suppliers in Europe, certified for clean productions that do not harm the environment. All products are created in their family-owned facilities under a transparent and conscious policy. You can meet the makers on the website.
The ethical sunglasses brand uses plant-based acetate (an eco-friendly version of plastic). They come in limited edition runs and are only ocassionaly restocled. Glasses are ethically made in a small family run factory in Shenzen. Brand is located and ships from Los Angelas. Expect the sunnies to be eye popping.
CALLE DEL MAR
This candy-colored Los Angeles based knitwear cult label produces locally in limited runs using female owned US factories on a non-seasonal calendar. Their plant-based staple yarn - viscose - is a more durable and green, vegan, alternative to silk. The label produces in all sizes on request.
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The sunglasses brand uses Zyl acetate which originates from wood pulp and cotton fibers. The sunnies are timeless and built to last. Product is made in Italy, brand is located and ships from New York
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The Spanish leather goods brand creates timeless pieces, locally crafted in the most conscious way by artisans. Expect references to local local imagery, such as Raffia baskets and fishnets and bold, modern colors.
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The Berlin based brand creates affordable, sustainable and ethical clothing. Keeping it affordable by sticking to a direct to consumer business model only. The brand works with small mills and factories across Europa and prefers working with deadstock material from luxury labels. Product description is very specific about the origins of the fabric and where it has been made.
Vegan clothing brand using natural, recycled, organic materials. Made and based in the USA. Her swimwear collection is made entirely with ECONYL
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Handmade ethical footwear from the island of Greece. All sandals are 100% leather and handmade in Chania, Crete. Brand ships from using bio degradable and recycled package materials.
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Fashion forward and artsy shoes. Designed in London, produced in Spain and Portugal. The brand delivers several style drops throughout the year. Often in limited edtion runs. The brand is committed to supporting the artisans who handcraft their heels in Spain.
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An ethically made clothing from Spain which is very aware of the relationship people have with clothes. Or what clothes can bring. This is what she has to say about to carrot coloured One shoulder top above 'asymmetric cut demands attention and proves that things can be done different'
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Hand made jewelery from Portugal using metal and glass. Jewellery are shipped in recycled packaging.
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The NYC based designer is influenced by art, architecture, utilitarian workwear and the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine. She works with local, women owned factories mostly which she visits and audits personally. The brand is vegan and works with organic materials mostly.
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NONA
Handcrafted leather handbags made in Barcelona and their brands own atelier in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Bag designed in Rotterdam are made with deadstock materials (often in funky colours). They also create minimalistic silver jewellery.
NU-IN
The brand creates affordable, ethical and sustainable clothing. Keeping it affordable by sticking to a direct to consumer business model only. The brand is very transparent on the origins of the fabrics, production partners and why they produce in China for example. The brand scores Good on Good on You. The brand is really on-trend and delivers a lot of different styles. Maybe a few to many for a sustainable brand?!
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The Barcelona based designer produces very small batches relying on pre-orders and made-to-order. She works with small ateliers and use stock available fabrics to keep her impact on the environment low. Expect lots of bold colours and beyond boring designs.
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The brand is known for its hand-dyed-to-order silks and one-of-a-kind jewelry made from found, re-used, up-cycled and natural material. The brand is based and made in New York.
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The Spanish brand knows how to created friendly and fairly priced clothing for a wide audience. Not too niche, not too ordinary. The brand works with organic, recycled an fair trade materials, natural and non-toxic dyes and water based prints.
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Born in 1973 the brand has commited to sustainability over the last decade. The Swedish brand works with their own Vietnam based factory and has an in house atelier where they create limited run collections.
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