10 Asian-Owned Sustainable Fashion and Beauty Brands (2024)
Image: Valani
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Asian-Owned Sustainable Clothing & Beauty Brands
At Sustainably Chic, we believe that true sustainability must encompass intersectionality, and we are deeply committed to uplifting and supporting communities of color. Today, we are thrilled to showcase a selection of our top picks for Asian-owned sustainable fashion and wellness brands, all of which are based in the US and Canada.
As part of our dedication to promoting women's empowerment, each of these outstanding brands is owned and operated by remarkable women. It's a celebration of women's strength and ingenuity in shaping a more sustainable future. What's particularly inspiring is that many of these female entrepreneurs draw upon their heritage and personal experiences to influence their work.
After careful consideration from a wide array of exceptional brands, we've curated a list of ten favorites to introduce to you today. We encourage you to show these brands your support and admiration, as we are confident that you will be delighted by their exceptional products and inspiring stories.
What makes these brands sustainable?
You can be confident that all the brands in this list are genuinely sustainable (trust us, we’ve done the research for you — no greenwashers here!). Here are some of the questions we asked and factors we considered:
Fabrics/ingredients they use: Where are they sourced from, are they certified by national or international organizations (GOTS, Oeko-Tex, USDA)?
Are they plant-based and cruelty-free?
What materials do they use for packaging: Is it biodegradable or recyclable?
Are their products designed to last? No fast fashion, please!
Do they pay their makers a fair wage, and have ethical worker conditions?
Do they credit and give back to the communities where their products have originated from?
We’ve only chosen brands whose values and missions we truly align with. And, of course, we’re in love with the products ;)
our top picks for sustainable Asian-owned fashion & Beauty brands:
1. Valani
For: Dresses
Founder: Vanni Leung
Are you in need of a fresh and stylish outfit for your upcoming brunch party?
Valani's stunning assortment of flowy tops and dresses is not only fashionable but also exudes a playful and flirty vibe.
Their classic designs are versatile, allowing you to effortlessly transition from casual gatherings to more formal events.
All their pieces are crafted from eco-friendly and plant-based materials such as hemp, Tencel, and banana fiber with non-toxic dyes, ensuring that your fashion choices are environmentally conscious.
In an effort to minimize waste, Valani ingeniously repurposes leftover fabric scraps to create charming Tencel scrunchies priced at USD 14. Not only that, but these fabric scraps are also utilized as fillings for toys and pillows, showcasing the brand's innovative approach to reducing textile waste.
While it's true that Valani's collection may come with a slightly higher price tag, ranging from USD 298 to 348 for their dresses, the investment is indeed worthwhile.
2. Cocokind
For: Skincare
Founder: Priscilla Tsai
Sustainable skincare with Asian-inspired flavors, like matcha and turmeric, is what Cocokind is all about.
Sea kale clay mask (USD 19), vitamin C serum with sea grape caviar (USD 22), or a sake body lotion (USD 22)? Um, YES, please!
One of their all-time bestsellers is their daily SPF sunscreen (USD 25) — made with zinc oxide, microalgae, and blue phytoplankton; it’s super gentle, mineral-based, and reef-safe leaves your skin with a dewy (but not sticky!) finish.
Also, their (mostly plastic-free) packaging is so, so beautiful.
3. Wyld
For: Skincare
Founder: Joy Yap
Wyld is an all-natural and plant-based personal care brand that is gentle on your skin and the planet.
They make konjac sponges, exfoliating sponges for your face and body made from the konjac plant, known for its medicinal properties.
The sponges are biodegradable and will gently exfoliate your skin with or without a cleanser.
If you have sensitive skin and struggle to find an exfoliator that works for you, check out their french pink clay konjac sponge (USD 18).
The clay gently removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural oils and contains natural calming properties that soothe and nourish your skin.
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4. Blume
For: Skin/Body Care
Founders: Taran and Bunny Ghatrora
Blume is a skin, body, and period care brand that’s all about self-care and acceptance.
They’re destigmatizing periods, acne, puberty, and sex ed, and their focus is on healthy skin, not perfect skin.
They make products that are good for you and for the environment.
Their products range a plant-based period cramp oil made from essential oils like peppermint and bergamot (USD 29) to an all-natural, paraben-free acne oil (USD 28).
5. Kayu
For: Bags
Founder: Jamie Lim
Straw bags are so in right now, and Kayu has the most beautiful ones.
Their St Tropez Pom Pom Straw Tote (USD 150) is a must-have in your wardrobe — they’re so cute, and the timeless designs will never go out of style.
You can also accessorize your bag with some adorable pom poms (USD 12.50) or a removable liner (USD 34) to make it uniquely yours.
The bags are handcrafted by women cooperatives in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, using indigenous techniques.
Each bag is woven from seagrass straw, a biodegradable, natural weed harvested by hand.
6. Orejas
For: Tees and hoodies
Founder: Wenjia Wang
Check out Orejas for some versatile everyday essentials.
Their tees and hoodies are practical, comfy, and super soft and are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and hemp.
Even the buttons they use are made with all-natural and biodegradable materials like corozo nuts and seashells.
We love their classic fitted tee (USD 48), which looks so good tucked into your favorite pair of jeans (check out our guide to our favorite sustainable denim brands here).
7. OCIN
For: Swimwear
Founder: Courtney Chew
If you’re on the lookout for a classic bikini or one-piece for your next beach vacation, definitely check out OCIN.
They make sustainable swimwear in bold, vibrant colors, designed to be worn both in and out of the water.
They use regenerated polyester for their collection, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles or fishing nets recovered from the oceans.
The fabrics they use are Standard 100 certified by Oeko-Tex, which means they’re free from harmful chemicals, and have UPF 50+ protection from the sun.
Bonus: They have a recycling program — send them your old swimsuits, and they’ll make sure they’re recycled properly!
8. Hathorway
For: Jewelry
Founder: Jessica Phan
Hathorway makes gorgeous (and affordable) sustainable jewelry from ethically sourced, upcycled buffalo horns — a material that has been discarded from deadstock and the food industry in Vietnam.
Their designs are bold and versatile — you can pair their exquisite geometric statement earrings (USD 66) with a flowy dress (like this one from Valani) for a playful summer look or with a silky blouse for a more formal, chic look.
For more sustainable jewelry brands that we love, check out our guide here.
9. Clean Circle
For: Makeup remover pads
Founder: Lena Chao
Clean Circle makes one product, but it makes it well.
If you’re looking to switch to reusable makeup remover pads, look no further.
Their bamboo pads are made with Certified OEKO-Tex bamboo fabric and are super soft and gentle on your skin.
They’re also very easy to clean — just place them inside their GOTS-Certified organic cotton pouch, and throw them in the wash! If you get their reusable bamboo charcoal makeup remover pads (USD 24 for a pack of 5 pads), you don’t even need to use makeup remover — one pad will remove your makeup with just water.
10. Avre
For: Sneakers
Founders: Julie and Connie Kuo
Chunky sneakers are all the rage right now, and Avre has the comfiest ones in the cutest colors.
Their signature material is made from repurposed plastic bottles (or PET: polyethylene terephthalate) — so not only does each pair of sneakers keep 8-10 bottles from entering the oceans, but the material also has moisture-wicking properties and enhanced flexibility.
In addition, their BLOOM insoles made from algae foam are super cushion-ey and supportive and also remove harmful algae from waterways, generating clean water and reversing the effects of water pollution.
For other sustainable sneakers, check out our guide here.
About the Author:
Jyotika is a writer based in New Delhi. She writes about sustainable living and eco-friendly brands, covering fashion, food, travel, and wellness. Previously, she was the fashion manager at her family's bespoke fashion business, where in addition to her other responsibilities she worked on improving textile sourcing from local artisans to encourage grassroots production, as well as conducting sustainability workshops with employees regarding the eco-friendly disposal of fashion materials.
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