What does it even mean to be a vegan denim brand? First of all, a vegan denim brand uses no leather patches and ensures that chemicals such as softeners contain no animal derivatives.
Secondly, as denim is one of fashion’s most resource-intensive—and downright polluting—materials, no self-respecting vegan brand would produce it without making efforts to reduce the environmental impact at every stage—production, use, and end-of-life treatment. From using recycled materials to offering free repairs and developing plastic-free stretch formulas, these steps are essential for making a real difference.
Throughout fashion month in general, and at London Fashion Week in particular, denim has consistently proven to be one of those items that add a ‘cool’ factor, cherished by designers, artists, and the crowd alike. And since there are vegan brands that have made it their mission to create better denim, here’s a curated selection of those we trust and love.
You’re all welcome.
Keeper Denim (Australia)
Keeper Denim is one of Australia’s finest responses to the shortcomings – or simply the darker sides – of the global fashion industry, as exposed by the True Cost documentary. The brand focuses exclusively on creating sustainable denim, tackling the inherent difficulties in producing, washing, and recycling one of fashion’s most resource-intensive materials.
VFR’s pick: Elwood Skinny
Regular price: $199.00
NON (UK)
NON elevates both denim and menswear alike. Firstly, it’s selvedge denim, which means the weave is so strong and durable it does not fray at the edges. Secondly, all items are made from organic and recycled cotton exclusively, which means they can all be recycled and will create minimal waste at the end of their life. And, last but not least, a menswear brand of such pure, minimalistic aesthetic is simply a gem.
VFR’s pick: Relaxed Jean in washed grey
Regular price: £180.00
Triarchy (Usa)
Triarchy is a brand that gave the world the first and only plastic-free stretch denim, and made sure all its sustainability claims are backed by certifications and verified schemes. From using recycled materials to tree planting and supporting local communities, their commitment is as transparent as it gets. By partnering with Renoon, Triarchy provides a detailed breakdown for each product, showing the environmental footprint saved, such as reduced gas emissions, water usage and energy consumption, when compared to fast fashion alternatives.
VFR’s pick: Fonda High Rise Wide Leg
Regular price: approx. $298.00
MUD Jeans (The Netherlands)
Founded in 2012, MUD Jeans is the world’s first circular denim brand. By using recycled cotton, recycled water, and water- and energy-saving production techniques, each pair of jeans saves 90% of water and reduces CO₂ emissions by 46.6%. The brand operates a take-back scheme, collecting jeans that consist of at least 96% cotton. In collaboration with Recover and Tejidos Royo in Valencia, new denim fabrics are created, containing up to 40% post-consumer recycled cotton. A pair of jeans can either be bought or leased for a specific period, with free repairs included.
VFR’s pick: Ella dress
Regular price: €169,95
Dawn (Germany)
A brand founded in 2015 out of a love for denim and a genuine desire to create a sustainable community of workers, rather than just a labour force. The jeans are produced in Saigon, Vietnam, in a factory where seamstresses spend their lunch breaks among a garden of kumquat and pepper plants and are visited once a year by a feng shui master to align the star constellations. As a mark of transparency, the factory regularly opens its doors to students from around the world, as well as organisations such as Fashion Revolution and the Fair Wear Foundation, demonstrating that scalability, sustainability, and truly fair working conditions can coexist.
VFR’s pick: Rise Relaxed Tapered
Regular price: €139.00
Kings of Indigo (The Netherlands)
Kings of Indigo’s holistic approach rests on three pillars: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. All their direct suppliers undergo social audits, meeting the standards of Amfori BSCI, SEDEX SMETA, or the Fair Wear Foundation, and their list of production locations is publicly available on Open Supply Hub, updated at least once a year. Instead of plastic, they use fully biodegradable corozo buttons, made from the tagua nut that grows on palm trees. Their metal buttons have an environmentally friendly finish that requires less water, energy, and chemicals, and their zippers feature recycled PET zipper tape. Also, three words: free worldwide repairs.
VFR’s pick: Noah Jim Whale Blue
Regular price: €150,00
Explore more vegan clothing in our Directory.
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