'Eco Chic' is a broad term currently used in the fashion industry and can mean many things. Here at EKOLUV we see 'Eco Chic' as a wholesome concept referring to all fashion pieces that have either been manifested or sourced in ways which contribute to a more healthier world by making more concious desicions. We use many criteria to differentiate our products; some products fit under multiple criteria and thus enabling you to 'Shop By Ethics'.

ETHICAL CRITERIA

Vintage and Preloved

generic term for new or second hand garments created in the period from the 1920’s to the 1980's. However, this term is often used more generally nowdays for second-hand clothes, and we like to call this Preloved. You may find Vintage and Preloved items here.The reason we have not separated our vintage and preloved items is so that you can see them all together from old to contemporary styles helping you work vintage into your already existing wardrobe.

DIY Fashion

A term for many forms of handy craft type of clothing. DIY projects are usually hand made fashion clothing of original design. For example a D-I-Y T- shirt may be made one-of-a-kind, one-off or also known as limited edition. Being made of mixed fabrics and other materials often using popular fashion as a source of inspiration. This is achieved by altering, deconstructing and then reconstructing the original, altering the style and adding studs, zippers and trim etc.

Vegan

Products that have been made without the use of leather or animal tissue products. Examples are shoes and bags made from “vegetal leather” using Amazonian rubber instead of animal skins or other recycled or man-made materials. 

Recycled

Anything that has been made from already existing materials, fabrics, metals or fibers. These are often reclaimed from previously made clothing and accessories and reworked into new ones. Fibers can also be re-purposed from pre-existing fabric, re-spun and reused for new garments.

Certified Organic

Natural fibers that have been grown without any pesticides and other toxic materials, preserving the health of humans and the environment. The process of organic growth that is certified by various organizations. 

Ethically Produced

Ethical fashion is fashion that has been produced with respect for people and the environment. Although there are existing certifications for Organic and Fair Trade, we want to encourage companies who are taking significant action but don’t qualify for certification. This may include companies producing locally or on small scales in developed countries, who might not qualify for Fair Trade certification or companies working with farmers to transition to sustainable crops but who might not yet qualify as Organic (which takes a few years). 

Sustainable

Sustainable fashion re-introduces, eco-conscious methods at the source through the use of environmentally friendly materials and socially responsible methods of production. Sustainable design is where a product is created and produced with consideration to the environmental and social impact it may have throughout its total life span, including its "carbon footprint".

Certified Fair Trade

An organization promoting standards for international labor (e.g fair work hours, no child labor, the right to unionize, a fair living wage), environmentalism, and social policy in areas related to production of goods. Fair Trade focuses on exports from developing countries to developed countries. Some Fair Trade certification organizations include: FLO www.fairtrade.net, IFAT www.ifat.org, TransFair (Canada and US) www.transfairusa.org and www.transfair.ca.

Demi-couture

Also known by the terms custom-made or made-to-order. This is a way of encouraging quality made fashion over mass-produced disposable fashion.

Handcrafted/Artisan

Products that have been crafted using artisan skills such as embroidery, which preserve the perpetuation of ancestral and cultural traditions, therefore helping to preserve the heritage of a specific culture.