As we kick off the Fashion Revolution Week – and reflect on the fashion industry’s shortcomings in delivering accountable sustainability, we take a closer look at cotton. The world’s most popular natural fibre – and a go-to for many vegans – is, unfortunately, also tremendously resource-intensive. Transparentem’s report has revealed that even officially recognised sustainable cotton supply chains often do little beyond marketing. The weak links in the chain range from child labour to pesticide exposure.
In our Material on Trial series, we’ve explored both the bright and dark sides of cotton production and aim to spread the word about the importance of personal investigation when making purchasing decisions. After all, there is no fashion on a dead planet.
This week, we’re turning our attention to sweatshirts, and using this opportunity to highlight brands that consistently seek to add an ethical dimension to their cotton products.
You’re all welcome.
CircleStances (Germany)
Known for its adorable animal motifs, the brand donates one euro to a selected animal welfare charity for every item sold. Different charities are assigned to different items, which means one gets to choose an item either by its design, or by the charity they want to support.
VFR’s pick: Highland Rind Sweater
Regular price: €79,95
Ecovera (USA)
Blending fashion with activism, this Chicago-based brand creates high-quality, vegan-friendly apparel that promotes conscious living. Founded in 2024, Ecovera donates 5% of each purchase to a customer-selected cause.
VFR’s pick: Chameleon Hoodie 4.2.1
Regular price: $59,00
Ex-Animo (Spain)
Established in 2022, Ex-Animo (Latin for ‘from the heart’) is helping animals by creating clothing and accessories from sustainable, cruelty-free materials, educating customers about these materials, and by donating 5% of its revenue to support animals in need.
Regular price: €129,90
VFR’s pick: Chloe Sweatshirt
Human Family (Germany)
Human Family is renowned for its unwavering commitment to full transparency within its supply chain by maintaining a strong network of certified suppliers and service providers. It also donates 10% of the net retail price of each item to selected charities.
VFR’s pick: Unisex ‘Change Your View’ Sweatshirt
Regular price: €66,67
Farm Sanctuary (USA)
This particular merchandise is run by Farm Sanctuary, an organisation founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming, advocate for institutional reform, and promote greater awareness and understanding of farm animals and the benefits of plant-based living. Today, at Farm Sanctuary’s locations in Los Angeles, California, and Watkins Glen, New York, you’ll find over 600 rescued animals – each with a unique story to tell. Needless to say, shopping there helps keep the vital work going.
VFR’s pick: Save Animals Pullover
Regular price: $75.00
Harvest&Mill (USA)
Harvest&Mill is dedicated to minimising cotton’s environmental impact, and maintains a short supply chain entirely within the USA. This ensures that the world’s favourite fibre remains accessible to those who are deeply committed to sustainability.
VFR’s pick: Men’s Organic Sweatshirt
Regular price: $124.00
Wawwa (UK)
Out of Manchester, once the heart of Britain’s textile industry and now experiencing an impressive revival, Wawwa Clothing sets out to achieve what is arguably an unfashionable business goal: to create vegan, sustainable products that are built to last—so people don’t have to replace them as often.
VFR’s pick: 470 Logo Hoody
Regular price: £95,00
Native Souls (Germany)
Operating out of downtown Essen since 2015, every piece is made from GOTS-certified cotton in Sri Lanka, under full external and internal audits to ensure fair and safe working conditions. A functioning wastewater treatment plant ensures that the water released back into the environment meets drinking water quality – verified, of course, by an independent laboratory. The company also supports reforestation initiatives, with over 16 hectares of forest reforested and more than 25 000 trees planted to date.
VFR’s pick: Basic Hoodie
Regular price: €69,90
Explore more vegan and sustainable fashion in our Directory.