LINGERIE - BUT MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE

By now, you’re likely well-versed in how to dress more sustainably. You chose fashion and accessories made with low impact materials and production methods, you look for transparency in the supply chain of products and ultimately, you buy less and wear more. But have you given thought to what you wear underneath your clothes?

The lingerie and intimates we wear shouldn't be an afterthought - neither in the design nor in the sustainability department. Lingerie isn’t exactly one of the most environmentally-friendly industries - all that cotton, lace and silk (if not organically produced) can have serious ramifications on our environment.

Fortunately, there's a crop of cute, comfortable and sexy lingerie brands out there that are checking off the eco-conscious boxes without sacrificing style. Ahead, we chat with the brands leading the sustainable lingerie charge to find out how we can update our underwear drawer for the better.

Deiji Studios

When you think of lingerie, it’s likely that frilly negligees and garter skirts spring to mind. But lingerie is so much more than that. The category extends beyond small, sexy staples to include everyday pieces that work hard in your wardrobe, like socks and robes. So when it comes to more sustainable alternatives, it’s important to cover all your bases. Brands like Deiji Studios strike the perfect balance between practical and playful. Pronounced ‘Day-Gee’, the brand was founded in 2016 by Juliette Harkness and Emma Nelson. What started out as a pared-back, natural bedding line has branched out to create effortless loungewear that is so versatile it can be worn outside the home. “From inception we wanted Deiji Studios to be more than just a brand, we wanted it to be a lifestyle,” explains Harkness. “We wanted our customers to feel good about their choice, in that it didn’t cost the earth. It was so important to us to ensure that this foundation came first, accompanying both looking good and being comfortable in how they dressed.”

Ignoring trends and focusing on creating timeless pieces that can be worn again and again, Deiji Studio go above and beyond with their sustainable efforts. “We use either natural fibres or recycled fibres and we are strict about this from the beginning of the design process,” says Nelson. “Our linen is from France and is 100% OEKO-TEX Standard100 certified and European Flax certified; our cotton is 100% GOTS certified organic; our packaging is comprised of only biodegradable materials, so it all breaks down once we are finished with it; we measure our carbon footprint and offset this yearly, and we try to use sea freight and more environmentally friendly transport methods where possible.”

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Sleeping with Jacques

Calling all those who have a penchant for silk, Sleeping with Jacques is the label for you. For the lounger and for the dreamer, this brand wants us to relax but lavishly and sustainably. Each design is made from high-quality materials including velvet and silk, which are developed using sustainable, ethical practices. “When I first started Sleeping with Jacques my vision was to gift women with an indulgent experience of self-love that inspires them to chase their dreams whilst giving back to the community and honouring our environment,” reveals Jacqui Hoang, Sleeping with Jacques founder. By creating a staple collection that supports slow fashion with classic designs made to last, Sleeping with Jacques uses Oeko- Tex Standard 100 certified materials, meaning they are free from all harmful chemicals, and those high standards of chemical management were employed throughout production. With sustainable properties to boot, Sleeping with Jacques also puts value in giving back to the community. “Sleeping with Jacques aims to celebrate women in their time of rest whilst acknowledging those who have fallen on hard times with a percentage of profits going towards women in need so that they may have the opportunity to follow their dreams,” explains Hoang. “Sleeping with Jacques is an official partner of UN Women Australia collaborating closely with their ambassadors and we also donate to other charities such as the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.”

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Love Stories

Dutch brand Love Stories was founded by stylist Marloes Hoedeman, whose vision was to create lingerie that’s as comfortable to wear as it is elegant. The result is a line of beautifully made intimates in an array of vibrant colours, textures and prints that can be mixed and matched to suit your personal style. But in addition to beautiful garments, Love Stories comes with a powerful message to match. “Love Stories is committed to spreading love around the world,” says Love Stories founder, Marloes Hoedeman. “From how we design, produce and collaborate, down to how we present our collections, we aim to constantly challenge and improve the way we work.”

With a responsibility program in place, aptly named, Planet Love, Love Stories introduced recycled yarn fabrics into their 2020 Spring Summer Swimwear Collection. “The use of recycled fabrics, laces and elastic has continued into the Autumn Winter 2020 lingerie collection,” tells Hoedeman. “In 2021 this was expanded to the ready-to-wear collection by using 100% recycled polyesters and adding organic cotton into the mix as well.”

Integral to the brand’s vision, Love Stories main aim is to design worn-to-be-seen lingerie and a multi-purpose ready-to-wear collection. “Inspiring the customer on how to style and wear our products is key, so we will continue to focus on the interchangeability and customisation of our collections.

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MORE TO READ

Hear from more of our sustainable designers in A Perfect Match where the duo behind cult brand GANNI reveal the secrets behind their success, their responsible ethos and what it’s really like to work with your other half.