Going Green: The UAE-Based Fashion Directory Making Sustainable Shopping Easy
Azraq is a new volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that focuses on education and raising awareness around the destruction of ecosystems; acting as an advocate for sustainably friendly brands; and empowering shoppers with the right information to make informed decisions…
When it comes to ‘doing better’ in terms of sustainable fashion choices, hunting out the brands that truly care can become an arduous affair that threatens to take the fun out of shopping. Luckily, the launch of a new UAE sustainable fashion directory is here to point us in the direction of beautiful boutique labels that value the planet as much as they love style.
The prestigious list has been carefully compiled by UAE-based marine conservationists Azraq, which is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that focuses on education and raising awareness around the destruction of wildlife habitat, and the preservation of the marine ecosystem and species, through working with the government, private business and the community.
Boutique fashion brand Ayesha Depala sits in one of the top tiers of the Azraq eco-shopping directory
The directory is divided into a tier system that allows conscious shoppers to determine the level of efforts each brand is making. For example to be categorised in Tier One, the top level of accreditation, companies need to meet at least eight criteria from a strict tick list which includes: practicing slow fashion, products being ethically made, products being made with natural fibres, no use of plastics in materials or packaging and the use of natural dyes and compostable hangtags. Brands also need to be carbon-neutral, support the CSR efforts of an environmental agency and champion the recycling of clothing. Tier-two brands need to meet seven of the criteria, and so on – it’s no easy ride to make any of the tiers on the directory but clothing, handbag, swimwear and lingerie brands such as Ayesha Depala, Peahead.eco, By M.A.R.Y, COEGA, and Vino Supraja have made the list.
Azraq founder and director Natalie Banks feels her team are well-placed to sort the ecological wheat from the chaff, so to speak: “Our team has a vast knowledge about sustainable fashion and the impact of micro-plastics on the health of local waterways,” she explains. “This means we are more than qualified to not only compile a directory on this issue, but determine the tiers that each brand sits within so they may be acknowledged and promoted accordingly as part of their and our sustainability mission. With this in mind, we are also passionate about acting as an advisor to brands and companies that are looking to increase their sustainability efforts.”
Find the directory at azraqme.org
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s April 2021 Issue
