Slow Fashion Is a Big Priority for Me—20 Independent Brands I Always Recommend

I'm a huge advocate for shopping small and sustainable. What started as a way to curb my old shopping habits turned into an inspiring process that transformed the way I view clothes. My conscious relationship with clothing has now spanned over 10 years, and I've realised that come winter, public attention seems to turn to independent brands in a collective bid to become more conscious of over-consumption.

Now comes the opportunity to evaluate the way we choose to shop, and this can include making mindful swaps and introducing slow fashion brands into our rotations. If you're hoping to shop more sustainably and with ethical brands in mind, rest assured that small brands are typically more considered in one way or another—whether that's by producing just one capsule collection, using recycled or organic materials, or adhering to fair living wages for their garment makers. Ethics aren't always synonymous with small brands, but generally, these values tend to be more front and centre. And if in doubt and you want to ask questions, the brand owner(s) are usually much more accessible. Through the years I've kept something of a log of the brands I like to showcase, and there's no better time to share them. Keep reading to discover the 20 slow-fashion brands I think should be on everyone's radar ahead of (dare I say it), Christmas.

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(Image credit: @alexisforeman)

Alexis Foreman wears a white button-down from With Nothing Underneath.

1. Baserange

2. Mother of Pearl

3. CAES

4. Almada Label

5. Aeron

6. REN London

7. Aligne

8. Iris & Wool

9. Damson Madder

10. OMHU

11. If Only If

12. Kindred of Ireland

13. Carla Diogo

14. Kind Regards

15. Bohème Goods

16. Paloma Wool

17. Navy Grey

18. With Nothing Underneath

19. A Day's March

20. The Slow Label

Freelance Fashion Editor

Avalon Afriyie is a freelance writer and storyteller based in London. She specialises in sustainable fashion, health and the narratives of marginalised communities. She has a background in fashion show production and styling, having previously worked on The Clothes Show and with the Lyst Group. Since graduating in 2013 with a BA (Hons) in English and contemporary media, she’s worked as a feature writer for an independent publication and a contributor for Quill’s creator network. She now marries her passion for words and style, writing for some of the most esteemed fashion and lifestyle publications, Who What Wear UK and Stylist. Avalon also provides copywriting services, creative consultancy, and visual media for independent businesses, including travel guides, interviews, press releases and blog posts. Her work has been featured on Lush, Contiki, Youswim and Ohne. She spends her days writing to her heart’s content for business and pleasure, shooting on film and dreaming of residing a stone’s throw away from the ocean with her love and a pup (clad in a sweeping frock, of course). She’s currently penning ideas for a book of personal essays and free verse poetry on love, life and the stages in between.