6 Asian-Owned Fashion Brands Prioritizing Sustainable, Vegan Materials

With the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s more important than ever to continue to show support for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. One way to do just that is by showing solidarity with your wallet and supporting Asian-owned businesses directly, especially during the month of May, otherwise known as AAPI Heritage Month. 

The tumultuous past two years are hopefully behind us, and we can ensure a kinder world through purchasing brands that are actively working to provide more sustainable, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly products for consumers. From focusing on fair labor practices to choosing upcycled materials and conflict-free diamonds, these Asian-owned brands are putting a new fashion foot forward. Elevate your closet with quality, ethical apparel with this handy list of Asian-owned, vegan-friendly businesses. 

1 Valani

Founder and certified breathwork practitioner Vanni Leung built her biodegradable fashion line after recognizing the interconnectivity of all things and the need to lighten the impact we have on the Earth. Valani’s feminine dresses, skirts, and blouses use comfortable and breathable fabrics like hemp, Tencel, and even banana leaf with certified non-toxic dyes so it’s good for you and the planet. Plus, its leftover fabrics are used to make adorable scrunchies!
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2 Delikate Rayne

Life-long vegetarians and sisters Komie and Meg Vora founded their apparel company to pursue their love of style. Enter: Delikate Rayne, an amalgamated translation of their Hindi names. The contemporary fashion label’s mission is simple: Embrace one’s own beauty and make garments your own. Choose from vegan leather bustiers, lace-trim kimonos, and fringe mini skirts made in the US using cruelty-free textiles.
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3 Wwake

New York-based designer Wing Yau creates thoughtful, intricate jewelry pieces using sustainable practices such as sourcing conflict-free diamonds and recycled metals. With equity as a core guiding principle, Yau ensures her supply chains meet international labor standards down to each gemstone. Wwake is run by a 92-percent women-identified team, plus its in-house studio staffs 100-percent women-identified bench jewelers.
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4 Esse

In an effort to find long-lasting clothes that paired well with everything, Singaporean designer Alicia Tsi quit her job to found a fashion label. Following her passion to keep the tradition of garment-making alive, Tsi chooses sustainable materials, designs season-less styles, and partners with suppliers that follow safe, fair, and humane working conditions.
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5 Dippin’ Daisys

Founded by Elaine Tran more than seven years ago, this sustainable swimwear brand ensures 95 percent of their swimsuits are made with recycled pre- and post-consumer nylon featuring the cutest prints and patterns. Dippin’ Daisys has also recently branched out to include activewear and loungewear all made in LA. 
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6 AVRE

AVRE—which stands for Authentic, Versatile, Responsible, and Empowered—is making it easy to find goes-with-anything footwear that’s just as comfortable as it’s stylish. Aiming for the ultimate goal of a  zero-waste future, sisters Julie and Connie Kuo used their 39-year family history in the footwear industry to develop shoes created from recycled materials such as plastic water bottles. 
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For more about AAPI month, read:
19 Vegan Asian & Asian-Owned Restaurants to Support

30 Vegan Asians & Pacific Islanders to Follow on Instagram
If Your Activism Doesn’t Reject Your Anti-Asian Rhetoric, You’re a Hypocrite