15 Ethical Brands That Empower Women

Seek Collective is a US brand of thoughtfully made items with a dedication to transparency, authenticity, craft, and sustainability. Seek is focused on establishing connections between art, product, consumers, process, and makers. Its items are made in India through partnerships with like-minded communities and people.

Seek is a woman owned business and while its artisans include both women and men, it is proud that the final stitching is done with a women-owned studio in Bangalore. Read some inspiring stories from women on the brand’s blog.

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For those living in Europe, you’re lucky enough to be able to get your hands on the beautiful 100% GOTS cotton products created by Jyoti. Truly embodying ethical fashion practices, this German company provides employment for people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India. Sizes available are S-XL.

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The R Collective’s womenswear collections are made by reusing rescued excess materials from leading luxury brands and reputable manufacturers. It is a standout brand for labour rights even amongst ethical brands, as it ensures payment of a living wage across its entire supply chain.

Scoring ‘Great’ for workers, you can be assured that supporting this brand prioritises the health, safety, and happiness of the overwhelmingly female garment workers behind the scenes.

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Raven + Lily, a Texas-based brand, is on a mission to alleviate poverty amongst women by giving them access to a sustainable income. To do this, it works closely with local artisan groups of at-risk women based in countries such as the US, Pakistan, Haiti, Malaysia, and Guatemala.

Raven + Lily is a certified B Corporation, focused on alleviating poverty among women by providing fair trade wages, a safe job, a sustainable income, healthcare and education. Shopping ethically with Raven + Lily means you’re helping to empower over 1,500 female artisans.

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Shop Raven + Lily @ Cerqular.

Mayamiko produces clothing, homewares, and accessories that are made ethically by women in Malawi. Its aesthetic fuses contemporary design with traditional African techniques. All of the prints are sourced by a local cooperative of women traders.

This brand is a leading advocate for better labour rights and has created the Mayamiko Trust, a charity which works in the community to train and empower disadvantaged women. One of the charity’s projects, the Mayamiko Lab, was designed to provide skills training, education, nutrition, sanitation, and promote fairer trade practices.

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Conscious Step creates premium fair trade, organic, vegan socks and clothes which support great charities. The US brand is committed to lasting social and environmental change and every step it take in its production process supports farms and factories with fair wages, safe facilities, and sustainable materials.

From socks that stop violence against women, to socks that promote breast cancer prevention, Conscious Step is one of those ethical brands that empower women every step of the way.

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Birdsong is a boutique label producing gorgeous womenswear. Its clothes are handmade in London by knitters and seamstresses earning above the London living wage. The business is built on a philosophy of fairness and authenticity, promising customers “no sweatshop, no photoshop”. Birdsong’s products are inclusively sized from 2XS-3XL.

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UK fashion brand People Tree has been an entirely Fair Trade business for over 25 years, working with mostly female producers around the world. The brand empowers women by giving them control over how they work, as well as how proceeds are used to benefit their communities.

It is rated ‘Great’ for people, and ensures payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain.

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New Zealand based label ReCreate receives the highest rating from Good On You. As well as using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton and recycled materials to make trendy clothing, the brand provides employment for women in Dey Tmey, a disadvantaged community in Cambodia. Find clothes in sizes XS-XL.

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A bag that saves lives? You got it. Parker Clay is an American based brand looking to create a future without exploitation by bettering lives and communities in Ethiopia. The brand has partnered with Ellilta Women at Risk program, fighting to bring women out of prostitution by providing a more stable income and safe working environment. Parker Clay also helps preserve traditional Ethiopian techniques, materials, and styles, ensuring that this fast growing country is able to remain close to its beautiful roots.

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Accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia, the Social Outfit has a social mission to employ and train workers from refugee and new migrant communities. You can be confident your purchase is directly contributing to a better life for minorities who need it most. Each piece tells an amazing human story, as the team taps into the creativity and diversity of these amazing people and collaborates with them to create new designs each season. Find styles in 2XS-3XL.

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Mata Traders create a beautiful range of vintage-inspired, artisan-made clothing and jewellery. All of its products come from artisanal cooperatives in India and Nepal which focus on gender equality and female empowerment. Mata Traders is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

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American lingerie brand Naja is all about empowering women, from the makers to the wearers. It employs single mothers and female heads of households who are paid above market wages, provided with health benefits and child education stipends.

Naja has also implemented flexible work policies to make it easier for women to balance work and childcare. Every child of a Naja garment worker receives books, school supplies, uniforms, and all school meals paid by Naja.

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Eileen Fisher creates ethical, timeless, well-made clothes designed to work together, wear effortlessly, and be part of a responsible life cycle. The brand has also made a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and uses eco-friendly materials. The standard range is available in 2XS-XL, with petite and plus ranges also available.

Eileen Fisher signed the Fashion Makes Change pledge, a new coalition dedicated to improving the lives of women around the globe and cultivating a more sustainable future.

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Shop Eileen Fisher @ Veneka.

Franc is a Canadian brand that makes basics so you can enjoy a complete wardrobe built on timeless essentials. The brand ranks ‘Good’ on all fronts: it uses eco-friendly materials, pays a living wage and uses no animal products. Find most products in sizes XS to 3XL.

All of Franc’s seconds, samples and overstock (items that it cannot sell) are donated to Sistering or the YWCA Toronto. The brand tries to keep its samples and overstock items to a minimum, but when that is not possible, it choses to give these new or like-new items to women in need instead of hosting a sample sale.

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