Fashion with Purpose: Building a More Conscious Future Together

Fashion brands should be more sustainable.

We hear it all the time, but what does it actually mean? What makes a brand "sustainable”?

Sustainability in fashion is complex; it’s not just about the materials used or resource consumption. It also includes waste management and recycling, carbon emissions from transportation, ethical working conditions, production practices, certifications, aesthetic sustainability, and much, much more.

It doesn’t sound so easy, does it?

Living up to the standards we should set for fashion brands is extremely difficult, especially in a system that isn’t built for sustainability—where even the word itself has a vague definition.

In a world where achieving a 100% "sustainable" brand is almost impossible, Carnelia’s aspiration is simply to be better, constantly. We prefer the term eco-consciousness, which expresses our aim to be as respectful of our planet as possible.

Our starting point has been using recycled materials. Our spring piece is made from both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled fabrics. The former reduces industrial waste and the latter diverts waste from landfills and reduces the need for virgin raw materials.

The spring piece is made from recycled Lycra and recycled polyester—two durable synthetic materials that ensure a long-lasting product—and the green mesh and embroidery thread are also crafted from recycled polyester, all of which meet the Global Recycled Standard. At Carnelia, we aim to minimize our use of raw virgin materials and rely more on recycled materials, to reduce our consumption and strain on resources.

We won’t sugarcoat it: finding a fabric supplier that meets our eco-conscious standards has been a challenge. But that’s part of the process, and we’re committed to making small improvements every day.

Sustainability in fashion is a collective effort and, as consumers, we all have the power to make a difference, whether it’s by supporting brands that prioritize eco-conscious practices, by choosing quality over quantity, or by caring for our garments to make them last longer.

As always, we invite you to join us on this journey and we want it to be as transparent as possible. If you ever have questions about our practices or if you feel we could do better, don’t hesitate to reach out - we’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there’s always room for improvement.

Together, we can build a fashion future that’s kinder to people and the planet, one step at a time.