Sustainable Beauty
FAST’s theme for Winter quarter is accessibility. Accessibility can be applied to many areas of daily life and can be used to promote and maintain the growth of sustainability. Sustainability is essential to creating an environment that will help our earth, ecosystems, and humanity flourish. Being sustainable does not have to be difficult and any effort can make a drastic impact on the earth.
Amborella Organics
One path to sustainability is promoting the growth of more plants and greenery. Amborella Organics seamlessly exemplifies the power of fostering both sustainability and human connection. Their seed-bearing organic lollipops have edible herbs and flowers. Once the lollipop is finished, the stick can be planted to grow new herbs or flowers. Through this, they make being sustainable as easy as “eat, plant, love.” The more plants that are planted, the better earth’s ecosystems can flourish and continue to prevail.
EO Essential Oils
Sustainability can also take form through choosing everyday products that do not harm the earth. It can be difficult to decipher which products are of a quality that is good for both oneself and the planet. EO Essential Oils makes being sustainable in everyday life very accessible. The brand promotes self-care through the use of organic, plant-based products for bath, body, hair, and hands. Each product originates in a family-owned zero-waste factory and is natural. EO Essential Oils delivers kindness to the community through their transparency and sustainable manufacturing. Thanks to their sustainable nature, taking care of oneself does not have to come at the expense of the planet.
Szade Collective
Continuing the theme of sustainability, Szade Collective, a sunglasses brand, advocates for environmental consciousness and transparency in its mission. Szade Collective differentiates itself from other “sustainable” brands by rejecting the greenwashing that happens often in the fashion industry. Instead of using sustainability as a form of marketing, Szade Collective is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment. For instance, Szade recycles most of its waste and reuses materials as much as possible. Their sunglasses cases are designed to last, and the brand encourages consumers to reuse their cases for other purposes. Similarly, Emme Parsons implements its theme of sustainability and accessibility in its design process. The footwear brand constructs its shoes to allow for “nearly 90% biodegradable, natural components.” The designs stray from the trend cycle in order to promote longevity and avoid overconsumption, which is a pertinent problem in the fashion industry.
Hunkemöller
European lingerie brand Hunkemöller also leads the way in sustainability by espousing the message of sustainability and accessibility in its current and future practices. The brand has started to produce its lingerie using “sustainable cotton” as well as becoming more aware of labor in its Code of Conduct. The company plans to improve wages in its supply chain, which shows how corporations are assuming more responsibility and acknowledging their role in harming the environment.
By Mikaella Butalid and Victoria de la Mora