These ethical Latin American fashion brands are helping people – and the planet
By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
Latin America’s famous for so much: its fabulous music, from salsa and samba to bossa nova; its jaw-dropping landscapes, like Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and the Galapagos islands; its sexy, friendly people, great food, and famous festivals. But now we can add something to the list of things to love- sustainable Latin American fashion brands.
Why Latin American Fashion Is Ethical
Latin America has a rich tradition in textile making and weaving. It’s still considered to be the developing world, so many textiles are still produced by cooperatives and native groups. When you purchase traditionally made Latin American fashion, you’re supporting those enterprises and peoples.
Many creators take great pride in their ancestors’ cloth-making techniques. These include: weaving, braiding, spinning and hand dyeing, to name a few. The incredible quality of the resulting products means they’ll last for generations.
But there are other reasons ethical Latin American fashion brands should be on your radar.
Sustainable Latin American Materials
From the finest Pima cotton to the world’s most expensive fabric,vicuña, there are plenty of sustainable Latin American fabrics that make many brands from this region eco-friendly.
For example, alpaca wool comes from the sweet, docile animals of the same name. While some larger, more industrial fashion houses such as Sol Alpaca or Kuna have been accused of abusing these gentle creatures, more artisanal creators shave their animals once a year, as gently as possible. In case you’re still concerned, you should know that the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) is a new certification that ensures alpaca welfare.
Even normal sheep wool from this area is more likely to come from free-range sheep that are raised in the mountains of Patagonia or the Andes. In fact, the first ever certified wildlife-safe wool comes from South America! (Read more about that here).
Plant Based Dyes
Coloring textiles with natural dyes has a long history in Latin America. For example, in Peru, a wide variety of plants, including tara, mote mote and anchancaray are used to create dyes for clothing. Other, not-so-exotic methods are used, too. These include iron oxide, beetroot, cabbage and turmeric. Note, however, if you’re vegan, insects like concheal could also be used for their colour.
Many ethical Latin American fashion brands continue to preserve these techniques, and that’s a good thing: we all have good reason to be concerned about the ecological and health impact of synthetic dyes.
A Sense Of Responsibility
One advantage many ethical Latin American fashion brands have is their dedication to working with certification groups that recognise the effort they put into their work.
For example, you’ll find that many of these fashion labels are certified Fair Trade (which ensures no workers are exploited), GOTS (which governs the process of growing and processing organic cotton) or Certified Wildlife Friendly Fibres.
We always knew Latinas had style. But we had no idea just how ethical Latina American fashion was until now! Here are some of the best, most ethical brands we found, from sunny Mexico to sultry Argentina.
10+ Ethical Latin American Fashion Brands
1. Peruvian Connection
Think Peruvian fashion is all about the baby alpaca sweaters and shawls? Think again! Peruvian Connection uses the best materials of the country. Sure, that includes alpaca, yes. But they also use non-GMO Pima cotton, Tencel, and even straw!
The result is a boho collection of everything from light jumpers and floaty dresses to oversized hats and yes – sweaters and shawls, too!
Best for: Natural fibres that comprise loose, easy-fitting Bohemian clothing
Price range: Medium
2. VOZ, Chile
This Chilean based label is one of our favourite ethical Latin American fashion brands! First reason: they make beautiful clothing from natural materials, like alpaca, regional silk and Pima cotton. Secondly, their designs are eternally chic and beautifully cut and draped. Thirdly, they’re dedicated to revitalising ancient weaving techniques that are indigenous to the Southern Chilean region.
Their Mapuche master weavers infuse each of their collaborative designs with symbols from their family traditions, and are fairly (and regularly) paid for doing so.
Best for: Truly elegant clothing with an artistic edge
Price range: High
3. Gabriela Hearst, Uruguay
Launched in 2015, publishing heiress Gabriela Hearst’s label has gone from strength to strength. Not only has her brand been dubbed the ‘American Hermes’ due to its superior quality garments, but it has also gained a plethora of celeb fans such as the likes of Nicole Kidman, Brie Larson and Demi Moore.
Every item is crafted at the hands of skilled South American artisans. Natural fibres, including silk, leather, linen and wool from her family’s massive Uruguayan ranch, are used to make each piece.
Bonus: all her packaging is bioplastic, which biodegrades quickly. In fact, Hearst herself is apparently committed to living a plastic-free and zero-waste life.
Best for: Modern designs with a great ethos
Price range: High
4. Manos Zapotecas, Mexico
This is a platform that connects artisans with new markets, helps to spread the artistry of the Mexican region and its Zapotec people, empowering communities through Fair Trade.
For example, in an ancient rural village near Oaxaca in Mexico, skilled artisans have been hand crafting woven products for generations. Manos Zapotecas has brought together these top quality, handwoven products to socially conscious buyers across the world. This ethical Latin American fashion brand always ensures the weavers receive a fair price for their intensive labour.
Best for: Accessories with an ethnic edge
Price range: Low to medium
5. Agostina Bianchi, Argentina
Getting dressed up to go out for dinner is a way of life in Argentina, and this designer creates slinky pieces that are perfect for just that. Not only does Bianchi use biodegradable hemp, linen, organic cotton in her collections, but she also employs surplus materials, thus reducing landfill.
Her designs are casual: loose fitting, in neutral, naturally dyed hues. These are guaranteed to look fresh in your wardrobe for decades to come!
Best for: Elegant basics that you can mix and match with other pieces for years to come
Price range: Medium to high
6. Jaline Resort, Mexico
7. Nido, Argentina
Argentina isn’t just full of gorgeous men and cattle – there are plenty of sheep there, too!
Nido uses these free range fluffies to create its simple, handmade knitwear. Spun and dyed in the old-fashioned way in small batches, Nido uses traditional tools and the knitting skills that local women inherited from their grandmothers to create warm and wooly sweaters and accessories. They also use organic cotton to make their garments for the warmer months.
Nido only uses natural dyes. And as a result of this artisanal process, every Nido garment is a bit different; it’s special and unique because it is handmade from beginning to end.
Best for: Ethically made knitwear
Price range: Medium
8. PAKA, Peru
Taking inspiration from a time when we really connected with the earth and our surroundings, PAKA is a brand born on the outskirts of Cusco, Peru. This is another of those ethical Latin American fashion brands that supports Peruvian women by enabling them to share their craft with the world whilst earning a living doing so.
Their comfy knits alpaca and Pima cotton knits not only play homage to generations of artistry, but they’re also three times lighter than sheep’s wool. And with a slew of celebrity fans, from Chance The Rapper and band The Chainsmokers, Peruvian women and their artisanal traditions are truly becoming globally recognised for the artistic works they create.
Best for: Modern, warm casual wear from Peru
Price range: Medium
9. Dauntless Clothing, Colombia
Woohoo! Finally, a vegan Latin American fashion brand!
This NYC based (but Colombian-made) outerwear brand says it ethically makes all of its vegan-friendly fabrics. These are then crafted into unisex sneakers, jackets and coats.
They say:
“We use water-borne and solvent-free polyurethanes, using less energy and water and no solvents to create these fabrics. We are aware that the synthetic substitutes we use may have some environmental issues. However, according to EP&L standards and regulations, the majority of the impact associated with synthetic fibers is due to processing oil into yarn. We are researching and working on more alternative ways to diminish the effect of these substitute materials.”
As for their producers, they say:
“We employ women who are heads of households and support their families while utilizing fair trade standards.”
This seems to be one of the most conscious Latina vegan fashion brands out there, anyway!
Best for: Vegans looking to support Latin American women
10. Carolina K, Argentina
Argentinian designer Carolina Kleinman is helping to preserve the artisanal traditions of indigenous people through her handmade pieces. She employs artisans in remote areas of the world such as Peru, Mexico and India to make hand-embroidered details on her beautiful clothing.
Alongside this, they launched a zero-waste initiative to make use of every last scrap of fabric.
Carolina says: “Since launching our brand in 2005, we have been committed to creating sustainably made products while supporting artisans across Latin America. From our brand’s inception, we envisioned working with a collective of artisans in remote regions of Latin America and we are honored that we get the opportunity to work with them to this day all year round. We strive to empower and uplift these communities of women and men and are dedicated to preserving their ancestral techniques that have been used over generations.”
Best for: Feminine fashions with awesome patterns and close attention to detail
Price range: High
11. Armando Takeda, Mexico
This is another of our ethical Latin American fashion brands that works with indigenous people. Namely, the Huichol and Purepecha people of Mexico. The designer has learned about ancient weaving techniques and the use of natural dyeing by living and working in the villages of indigenous peoples. With their permission, and by paying them fairly for their work, he then merges their heritage with the highest quality fabrics from around the world to create high-fashion pieces crafted from culture and innovation.
Best for: High fashion made in Mexico
Price range: Medium
12. OSKLEN, Brazil
Osklen is a contemporary Brazilian clothing and accessories brand. And sustainability was one of the core values upon which Osklen was founded. The design and development of all their collections follow strict guidelines that respect local communities and the environment.
For example, their sneakers come in chrome-free tracked and certified bovine leather. The soles come from the Amazon and recycled waste rubber.
Best for: Sneakers and streetwear – styles are often unisex
Price range: Low to medium
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