Support these local sustainable fashion brands in Hong Kong for eco-conscious and responsible buys.
Why do local sustainable fashion brands matter? Well, Hong Kong generates an average of 392 tonnes of textile waste per day into landfills, resulting in a rise of 32.4 percent over the past ten years. It’s clear that the fast-fashion crisis is still alive and kicking. So, what can we do about it?
While shopping and sustainability can seem slightly counterintuitive (we’d still recommend buying secondhand and vintage where possible!), you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s possible to build yourself a new wardrobe and still be environmentally conscious. Many local sustainable fashion brands in Hong Kong are working to bridge that disconnect, be it through their commitment to using deadstock fabrics (leftover and unwanted materials that would otherwise go to waste) or the adoption of a slow production model that elongates the durability of the fabric. Ahead, we’re spotlighting some of our favourites…
Sassy Tip: To further minimise textile waste, focus on your needs and wants. We only use about 20 percent of the clothes in our closet (that’s less than a quarter!). And when discarding old clothes, donate instead of simply throwing them away.
Read More: Thrift Stores In Hong Kong – Second-Hand Stores To Buy Vintage Clothing
Local Sustainable Fashion Brands In Hong Kong
Zanteia – A one-stop shop for the fashion-forward and eco-conscious
Voted the Best Brand Making Sustainability Waves in the 2023 Sassy Reader Awards, Zanteia is a fantastic online platform that brings together fashion-forward brands that are committed to sustainable and ethical practices. Find fabulous new pieces to add to your closet from brands you can feel good wearing, including international labels and homegrown favourites like KRSV, Tove & Libra and Love From Blue. What’s more, the site provides information on where the items it stocks are made, how they’re made and what they’re made of for those on a mission to shop more consciously.
Zanteia, 5993 9136, Instagram: @zanteia_official, www.zanteia.com
Read More: 2023 Sassy Hong Kong Reader Award Winners!
Tove & Libra – Minimalist clothing made with upcycled deadstock fabrics
Effortless daily chic is yours for the taking, thanks to Tove & Libra. Inspired by the minimalist Scandi aesthetic, the brand brings together style and sustainability for clothing that is better for your closet and the planet. Cue a commitment to upcycling deadstock fabrics, as well as the introduction of carbon offsetting for all online orders. Style-wise, we love how versatile everything is, with many pieces having been designed for multi-way dressing.
Tove & Libra, various locations across Hong Kong, 9662 9923, www.toveandlibra.com
Read More: 5 Essential Pieces To Start Your Spring Capsule Wardrobe
Róu So – Inclusive and sustainable Hong Kong fashion brand
Effortless everyday fashion abounds at Róu So — a contemporary womenswear brand best known for its classic, sustainable chic style. The team here take a view towards mindful production, using only natural, recycled or plant-based fabrics which have been salvaged from over-produced inventory and trim waste from vendors, manufacturers and fabric mills. The best part? Róu So makes a point of celebrating women of all shapes, sizes and ethnicity for a clothing collection that truly suits us all.
Róu So, rousoshop.com
Good Days – High-performance activewear made with recycled polyester and nylon
This local brand is making waves by transforming plastic bottles into chic, high-performance activewear. Think versatile and modern leggings, sports bras, crop tops and more, all consciously created using recycled polyester and nylon. By doing so, Good Days hopes to contribute to a circular economy, diverting plastic waste away from oceans and landfills, and repurposing it into activewear you’ll use for years to come.
Good Days, gooddaysactivewear.com
EARTH.er – Accessories made with natural, renewable materials
This sustainable fashion brand was founded in 2012 in Hong Kong’s very own Tai O fishing village. Founder and designer, Benny Yuen, creates designs that are inspired by the outdoors using traditional Southeast Asian craft techniques and materials that are eco-friendly. The company merges sustainable production processes with all-natural, renewable materials. Think hemp backpacks and a line of ‘Down to EARTH.er’ shoes, made by upcycling rubber tires.
EARTH.er, G/F, 83 Kat Hing Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong, www.earthertaio.com
SAU LEE – Local dress brand that uses eco-friendly materials
Sustainable fashion gets fancy with Insta-famous local dress brand SAU LEE. Head here for stunning occasion and day dresses, designed with a unique East meets West aesthetic in mind. In terms of sustainability, the brand is dedicated to using fabrics comprised of natural raw materials, biodegradable Rayon and Viscose, and overstock base fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfills. Plus, it operates a lean production practice in an effort to minimise waste.
SAU LEE, Shop H314, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.sau-lee.com
Read More: Where To Buy Evening Dresses In Hong Kong
Love From Blue – Small production statement knitwear
It’s all about statement knitwear at local label Love From Blue — and its commitment to sustainable production is the cherry on top! Crafted with purpose, care and consciousness, the designs here take inspiration from Hong Kong’s urban landscapes, incorporating cosy textures and rich hues for a selection of jumpers and sweater vests you’ll love for years to come. Each piece is made using deadstock cashmere and wool yarns, and is available in small production runs.
Love From Blue, lovefromblue.com
Read More: Vegan & Cruelty-Free – Local Ethical Beauty Brands We Love
PYE – Eco-consciuos seed-to-shirt brand
Helmed by Dee Poon (the daughter of Harvey Nichols owner Dickson Poon and Esquel Group chairman Marjorie Yang), dress shirt specialist PYE brings us timeless formal attire with a sustainable seed-to-shirt philosophy at its core. Over the last decade, PYE has proudly reduced its water and energy consumption by 57% and 43% respectively.
PYE (Admiralty), Shop 111, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2152 9288
PYE (Central), Shops 19 & 22, Central Building, Central, Hong Kong, 2152 9168, pyeshirts.com
Read More: Top Hong Kong Tailor Shops For Bespoke Suits, Custom Clothing, Alterations & More
Flow With Me – Athleisure clothing fashioned from recycled fabrics
With its motto of inspiring Hongkongers to be happier and healthier through fitness, there’s a lot to love about local activewear brand Flow With Me. And sustainability is the cherry on top. To be featured on the site, brands must have a focus on eco-friendly practices, be that through the careful use of resources or ethical production. Head here for a curated selection of athleisure clothing and accessories fashioned from recycled fabrics.
Flow With Me, www.flowwithmehk.com
Read More: Where To Buy Activewear In Hong Kong
The R Collective – Circular fashion brand that reduces textile waste
Sister charity of Redress (25 percent of proceeds go towards the brand), The R Collective aims to reduce textile disposals by rescuing, reusing and recycling fashion waste. This circular fashion brand upcycles deadstock fabric from luxury fashion companies and gives them a new life with versatile dresses, jackets, pants and bags. What’s more, fabrics unsuitable for reuse find a second life through the team’s fibre recovery system where they get shredded to fibres to create a new piece.
The R Collective, thercollective.com
Read More: Where To Donate Or Sell Clothes, Furniture & Homeware In Hong Kong
Lane Eight – Unisex trainers made with recycled plastic
Lane Eight is hard to miss, with its bright coral walls and shoes of the prettiest colours! It specialises in workout shoes that fit comfortably, look stylish and do good for the planet. The unisex trainers are made of lightweight vegan microfiber and recycled plastic yarn (that’s about 11 single-use plastic water bottles), and the midsole is made of harvested algae blooms — how cool is that? Plus, the shoes come packaged in boxes made of recycled material and water-soluble mailer bags.
Lane Eight (Wan Chai), LG/F, 14 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Lane Eight (Sha Tin), Shop 537, Level 5, New Town Plaza Phase 1, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2811 2068, laneeight.hk
Read More: The Best Shoe Shops In Hong Kong
Paper Shades – Eco-friendly sunglasses made from recycled paper
Founded by brother and sister duo, Madi and James Chu, this sustainable fashion brand brings us eco-friendly, customisable sunglasses made from recycled paper. Built to be functional and durable, with personalisation that makes it perfect for everything from Clockenflap to corporate giveaways, these durable shades leave a minimal amount of carbon footprint whilst still providing UV400 protection.
Paper Shades, www.papershades.net
Read More: Sunglasses We Love – The Best Styles & Brands
MiliMilu – Eco-friendly, durable and effortlessly stylish clothing brand
Meaning “LoveLove” in Latvian (to show its appreciation to Mother Nature), MiliMilu makes various sustainable fashion brands from around the world accessible to Hong Kong shoppers. From light and flowy dresses and floral swimwear for the beach to more put-together and sophisticated looks, we love how effortlessly stylish the pieces are whilst remaining eco-friendly and durable.
MiliMilu, milimilu.com
Read More: What You Need To Know About Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Skin of Nature – Nature-loving active-lifestyle brand
Active-lifestyle brand Skin of Nature brings dynamic, durable and sustainable apparel to the forefront in Hong Kong. Founder Elena Beraldo specialised in sustainable fashion before moving to Hong Kong, looking at the reality behind the apparel industry, but also the positive direction it was beginning to take. You’ll see her love for nature reflected in the ethos of the company, as well as the colours and patterns of the pieces in each collection.
Skin of Nature, skinofnature.co
Read More: 7 Ways To Live A More Sustainable Lifestyle
The Hula – Local consignment store for womenswear
HULA founder Sarah Fung, who previously worked at Lane Crawford, has curated a selection of pre-loved designer accessories and clothing (many of which haven’t even been worn!). It’s a platform to buy and re-sell amazing luxury items with the aim to reduce fashion waste and share a sense of timeless style rather than following trends.
Editor’s Note: The Hula’s Central store is temporarily closed.
The Hula, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2544 1511, www.instagram.com/joinhula
Editor’s Note: “Local Sustainable Fashion Brands” was most recently updated by Nicole Moraleda in April 2023. With thanks to Tania Shroff and Fashila Kanakka for their contribution.
This article contains editorial selections and paid partnerships.
Main image courtesy of Tove & Libra via Instagram, image 1 courtesy of Zanteia, image 2 courtesy of Róu So via Instagram, image 3 courtesy of EARTH.er via Instagram, image 4 courtesy of Love From Blue via Instagram, image 5 courtesy of The R Collective via Instagram, image 6 courtesy Paper Shades, image 7 courtesy of Skin of Nature via Instagram.