Latest news with #sustainableFashion
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftl-sneakers-for-a-hawaiian-vacation-tout-4804530ce7de4806a54d0a642d2d6cff.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
03-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
These Sneakers Didn't Give Me a Single Blister During an 8-day Vacation in Hawaii — and They're on Sale
I'm not exaggerating when I say I've tested out hundreds upon hundreds of sneakers over the years. As a longtime health and fitness journalist, it doesn't take me long to file this type of footwear into a few different categories: ideal for running, best for long walks, a solid cross-trainer, perfect for the trails, and so on. However, the pair that I'm always searching for, the true unicorn shoe, is a solid travel sneaker. I'm talking about trainers that aren't overly bulky, don't take up too much space in my bag, can power me through vacation runs, and function as comfortable walking shoes (with enough grip for hiking trails and city walks). Of course, it's also a major bonus if the shoe is decently stylish and well-suited for sightseeing. So far, this criterion has only been met by the Allbirds Women's Tree Flyer 2s, which are on rare sale right now ahead of the Fourth of July. I've been a fan of Allbirds' sustainable footwear for years, and I'm in good company—celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Hilary Duff, Blake Lively, and Mila Kunis have been seen sporting the brand. But when I first tried on Tree Flyer in June 2022, I knew the supportive yet lightweight sneaker was going to be a game-changer. I decided to really put the Tree Flyers to the test when I packed them as my designated sneakers on a trip to Hawaii last September. At this point, I'd only worn them once before, so I was taking a risk by essentially breaking them in on vacation. Thankfully, they held up. From my flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu to running through the hills in Lanai and hiking in Oahu, they provided the ultimate comfort. Travel + Leisure / Kristine Thomason The very first day I arrived in Lanai, I laced up my Tree Flyers and went for a run. They felt cushioned on my feet, keeping a bounce in my step as I jogged up hills tucked into the center of the island, and down roads lined by hundreds of pine trees (yes, pine trees). On a hike to Koloiki Ridge, the grippy, natural rubber tread helped me stay steady as I floated from gravel roads to dusty trails. At the peak, I was greeted by an expansive, breathtaking view, along with a family of Bighorn sheep climbing the canyon. Later, when I hopped over to Oahu, these lightweight sneakers continued to offer support as I explored various corners of the island. Travel + Leisure / Kristine Thomason Even though these shoes were nearly fresh out of the box, my feet were completely blister-free by the end of the trip. I was also really impressed by their versatility, thanks to a few thoughtful features. Specifically designed for distance running, the Tree Flyers have a high-cushion, high-performance sole that's meant to make miles easier on the body. I also loved that the light, breathable, eucalyptus fiber woven upper could compress for easy packing (without damaging the structure or support of the shoe). What's more, these sneakers actually have a very cool look — mine are the cream hush color, which is a unique neutral hue with multicolored eyelets. The outsole's geometric construction has an almost futuristic feel, and it's also a functional choice, as it helps maximize cushioning while minimizing weight. Plus, the grippy FSC-certified natural rubber tread offers a contrasting pop of color on the bottom. Like all their products, Allbirds' Tree Flyer is made with Earth-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing practices, which means you can feel good about the impact of this purchase. Allbirds customers are raving about these sneakers, too—the shoe currently has more than 352 perfect reviews on the brand's website. One Allbirds shopper shared, 'I've already worn them for two weeks in four cities — in rain, lots of air travel, and running. I love them because my feet are comfortable,' continuing, 'I also feel good that they are sustainable.' Another buyer said: 'They are the most comfortable sneakers I have ever worn. They are, honestly, like walking in slippers.' After wearing the Allbirds Women's Tree Flyer 2 shoes throughout my trip to Hawaii, I can attest to their quality, too. They're not the same color as they were when I left (thank you, dusty hikes), but nevertheless, these sneakers proved themselves worthy of the title 'travel shoe' and will undoubtedly join me for future adventures. Plus, they're starting at just $64 during the Allbirds Fourth of July sale, so you can snag these reliable sneakers (and many other celeb-loved pairs) at a fraction of the price. Keep scrolling to explore the other newly-marked-down comfy travel shoes. At the time of publishing, the price started at $64. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Triarchy: Family-Owned, Responsible Denim Proving That 'Less Is More'
Triarchy: Family-owned, Responsible Denim Proving That 'Less is More' While denim remains a primary component of global fashion at every price point, don't let its ubiquity and casual vibe fool you. According to environmental and workplace safety experts, denim conceals behind its iconic blue fabric a host of toxic chemical pollutants and processes, as well as gross water overuse, all of which degrade the environment and put workers and communities at risk. That's denim as it's been produced over the past several hundred years. However, the past decade or so has witnessed a surge in 'responsible denim' that echoes other industries' shifts toward safer, more circular products that meet new stakeholder expectations, and concern on the part of consumers, as well as new regulations that have followed. The Taubenfligel siblings – Mark, Adam, and Ania – exemplify this paradigm shift. They started their family company, Triarchy, in 2011 as a direct-to-consumer women's jeans brand. The idea was to leverage their skillsets in design, production, and marketing to produce something genuinely new and deeply responsible to the crowded denim Family-owned, Responsible Denim Proving That 'Less is More' Hopscotching in Jeans 'I always say that I never pursued denim,' says Adam Taubenfligel, Creative Director and Responsibility Lead. 'It pursued me. I randomly happened to get an opportunity to work with a denim manufacturer in Italy, right out of university. [It was]'At the same time,' Adam recounts, 'I was working for a company in mainland China designing a denim line for them and using that money to finance Triarchy. These two parallel tracks were running, where I was working for a much bigger organization, and then trying to turn Triarchy into a bigger organization. But then I started seeing what a bigger organization in denim looks like. And it was not very pretty. I couldn't understand the ambition to occupy factories like this and to create an output like this. Was this the ambition? Building a brand, consuming, and ejecting more junk and garbage into the world? Something is very wrong with this growth structure.' For example, according to the Taubenfligel triad, 'we noticed the incredible amount of water waste and chemical harm that the denim manufacturing industry was having on the planet.' In fact, Adam declares that 'Denim is the worst offender when it comes to unnecessary water waste in the fashion industry.' 'Instead of turning a blind eye,' says Adam, 'we checked our egos and stopped production, taking the brand offline in 2016—to find a different way, a better way, to make jeans.' The family wanted to lead 'not just a denim brand, but a vehicle to educate consumers on mindful consumption,' says Adam. 'Responsibly made, with sustainability and ethical manufacturing in mind.' The company would not be reborn until 2018, after an intense period of R&D, under the philosophy of 'less is more,' says Adam. That means less water, less chemical pollution, less carbon, and even less product. Adam describes this process as ''hopscotching' from one [technology, one laundering process, one partner] to another until the universe of options started to settle on a group of people that were really doing it right and doing it better. And that just became the ecosystem that we're still pretty much in.' Refusing to Stretch 'And it was those first few years that were a huge eye opener,' Adam shares. 'We focused a lot on water reduction, chemical reduction, and making sure that the things we were doing were as clean as humanly possible. And there's a great expense to that. And that was a really big learning curve with buyers, because they love that story, but they hate the price point, which is still the reality. And so we have to keep telling them, you know, we're doing our best. We've managed to bring [costs] down quite a lot in the last year.' After minimizing toxins, water, and cost, it was time to look at plastic as part of Triarchy's overall commitment to zero carbon. Wait, there are plastics in jeans? In the stretch kind, typically, yes. 'We were a women's denim brand that didn't have stretch denim,' says Adam. 'Well, I refused to use plastic stretch because I refused to just be selling future garbage in the shape of plastic pants. This makes no sense.' 'A couple of years of going to [fabric sources in] Italy, and many conversations about alternatives [to plastic] that might exist and the realities of making them feasible, led to the trial and error of plastic-free stretch denim. What materials could be used in place of crude oil-based plastics?' 'Well, rubber was the natural selection—literally. And that took a couple of years to get past, only a jagging quality. We eventually turned it into something more palatable.' 'And then we brought it to market, the world's first plastic-free stretch denim ... Natural rubber stretch means jeans will biodegrade in two years or less at End of Life, instead of the industry standard 200-plus years for plastic-based stretch materials.' Triarchy: Family-owned, Responsible Denim Proving That 'Less is More' The 'More' in Less is More Adam's honesty about how challenging a small company's sustainability journey can be sums up the transparency behind Triarchy's success. At every step of the process, from sourcing to sales, more transparency translates to more trust. The company works with third-party auditors such as Retraced to provide total transparency in its sourcing, for example, which consumers can access on the Triarchy website. Embedded in each garment is a unique QR code that provides blockchain-verified data through supply chain maps. Through a partnership with Renoon, a second embedded QR code shares the garment's specific consumption details outlining its responsible manufacturing practices, wash processes, and carbon offset project verifications, where applicable. Triarchy Materiality Does such transparency – and the sustainable processes underpinning it – come with a cost? Adam is truthful as ever: 'Sometimes the economic realities of the world force you to make decisions you don't want to have to make. And that sucks. But for me, I refuse to compromise on the integrity of our brand. And there have been many times when I could have just been like, let's just make this easier. Let's make this cheaper. But I somehow continue not to do that. Sometimes, to the detriment of the life of the business.' 'But I just really believe that the good must prevail. It must. I've had many conversations with colleagues and peers to that effect. And, you know, without that core belief, there is no hope.' 'Whereas the reality is, if we all just had fewer, better things and operated our consumption models from a place of mindfulness, we would have closets full of things we wear—and left would be so much more.'
Malay Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fabindia Malaysia marks decade-long milestone with KL fashion tribute to artisan heritage
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Indian lifestyle and craft brand Fabindia has celebrated its 10th anniversary in Malaysia with a fashion showcase highlighting its blend of traditional textiles and contemporary design. A reception at Royale Chulan Hotel here today drew guests including Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) M. Kulasegaran, India's Deputy Ambassador to Malaysia Shubashini Narayanan, Datuk Vikness Raju and the president of retail at Fabindia's headquarters, Ajay Kapoor. The event featured high tea, a lucky draw, and a runway presentation styled by R. Yogash is a well-known figure in Malaysia as a senior fashion stylist,R. Yogash is a well-known figure in Malaysia as a senior fashion stylist, Titled 'Showcasing Fabindia in Colour', the show put 20 models in the brand's signature outfits, underscoring its focus on handcrafted textiles, cultural heritage and sustainable fashion. Fabindia's Malaysian franchise owner and director Datin Manjari V. R. who also oversees operations in Singapore, thanked customers and staff for their support over the past decade. 'We are deeply thankful to the founder for entrusting us with this journey, to our loyal customers for their continued support, and to our dedicated staff who have been instrumental in our growth,' she said in her speech. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) M. Kulasegaran officiating at the 10-year milestone signing ceremony. Fabindia opened its first Malaysian outlet at NU Sentral in 2015. It now runs three stores — in NU Sentral, Masjid India and Penang — and this year expanded its franchise operations to Singapore. Founded in 1960, Fabindia is known for linking over 55,000 rural artisans across India with global markets. Its range spans apparel, accessories, home furnishings and organic foods, with an emphasis on ethical sourcing and traditional craft techniques. Known for garments made from handwoven and hand-printed fabrics, Fabindia blends India's rich artisanal heritage with contemporary style. The anniversary celebration aimed to reaffirm the brand's commitment to conscious consumerism and deepen ties with customers in Malaysia.
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Prince of Wales and Cate Blanchett don lab coats to see eco brand at work
The Prince of Wales and Cate Blanchett donned lab coats as they witnessed the hi-tech work of an environmentally-friendly clothes dye company. William and the actress visited labs in Norwich on Thursday where Colorifix, a biotechnology firm, creates its textile dyes. Colorifix, which was a finalist in William's Earthshot Prize in 2023, has developed a biological process that replaces the use of harmful chemicals in textile dyes. Since it was founded in 2016, the brand has partnered with fashion brands including H&M and Pangaia. As William and Blanchett were taken through each step of the process to make the eco-friendly dyes, the Prince of Wales asked Sophie Vaud, the head of microbial engineering, to provide a 'layman's version' of the science. After identifying a colour created naturally by an animal or plant, Colorifix's scientists sequence the DNA of that organism to find out where the colour is coded in its genetics. That DNA code is then translated into a safe microbe which is then fermented to grow, creating a dye that can be used on natural and synthetic fabrics. Dyes made chemically have a negative impact on the environment as they seep into rivers, harming wildlife. The process also uses a large amount of water. The Prince of Wales and Blanchett, a council member of the Earthshot Prize, were invited to observe DNA gel under a microscope and were shown diagrams analysing the effectiveness of the pigments. 'What if it explodes?' Blanchett, joked before looking at the sample. 'I'm not going to pretend I know what that drawing means,' William told the experts when being shown diagrams. The pair were then taken through the fermentation process which is where the dye is produced in a small version which can be scaled up. David Clarke, head of fermentation at Colorifix, which is based in Norwich Research Park on the edge of the city, said their fermentation to produce the dyes is 'just like brewing'. 'We use a genetically-engineered bacteria to produce the substance – in this case colourants. In the brewing industry it's ethanol. 'Traditional dyeing is very, very polluting. This is completely innocuous.' William and Blanchett were wowed by the range of colours produced when shown samples in the colouration lab, especially a bright teal. In that lab, the dyes are sampled on a range of fabrics and then washed and tumble dried to test how they work and if there is any run off. Rebecca Hiscock, a colouration technician, showed them some of the samples. 'It's like Blue Peter – here's one I made earlier,' William said. Meeting the rest of the Colorifix team, the Prince of Wales said: 'Sorry for all the stupid questions you'll hear about later.' He complimented the staff for their 'fantastic' work since Colorifix got to the final of the Earthshot Prize two years ago. The Prince of Wales is founder and president of the global environmental award and Blanchett helps pick the winners. 'It's going really well, and it's really exciting,' he said, while Blanchett told them their work was 'really inspiring'.
New York Times
04-06-2025
- General
- New York Times
Use Natural Plant Dyes to Infuse Memories Onto Fabrics
When James Young brews a batch of natural dye from plants he has grown or foraged, he knows something even more indelible than the new color of a white cloth will emerge from the bath. He is infusing a piece of fabric with pigment, but also with a vivid story that the dyed item will keep retelling him, even from the muted tones that some plant-based dyes impart. 'Just being able to put a memory into fabric, to me, is really beautiful,' said Mr. Young, a co-owner with Guy Banner of the Utah-based Grand Prismatic Seed, where dye plants are one specialty, alongside regional natives and high desert-adapted edibles and flowers. 'And that's probably my favorite part of natural dyeing — just that being able to connect to nature in a way that preserves it,' he added. They are pieces with provenance: gloves bearing the echo of lichen and oak galls from long-ago hikes in Oregon, where he once lived; or yarn dyed for his sister from flowers she'd admired when she visited him there. Sand dock (Rumex hymenosepalus) is one of his favorite natives to come across when hiking, so he grew some and dyed a quilt with it specifically to use for picnics and when camping. Lots of plants offer dye potential, including ones that may already be in your garden, including black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and black hollyhock (Alcea rosea), or many that could be direct-sown now, such as various marigolds, coreopsis, cosmos and purple basil. Some roadside invasives do, too, like curly dock (Rumex crispus). Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
