Brands that are making a difference in the clothing and beauty industry
All of the brands mentioned are available in stores and on the island. They are making it a part of their mission to ensure the components of a garment, and the ingredients of a product are making the smallest footprint on the planet as possible: from sourcing and manufacturing to packaging and selling. Nowadays, clothing companies are starting to think about the long-term impact on the environment and seeking out ethical alternatives for responsibly made clothing and goods while being held accountable in a way that is increasingly conscious of the treatment of their employees by offering fair wages and practicing sustainable production before, during, and after production.
AMERICAN RHINO
American Rhino was established by Chris Welles in 2016 as a unique way to participate in on the ground conservation efforts to protect critically endangered and threatened African wildlife. American Rhino is known for producing premium African sourced and produced apparel, footwear and accessories.
The company’s mission is to support the most local and effective organizations and anti-poaching efforts across Africa. The ethos of the Foundation lies in furthering education, promoting the leaders of tomorrow, and supporting all wildlife protectors. The brand donates 10% of all proceeds to the American Rhino Foundation and 100% of Foundation Collection products to the American Rhino Foundation.
The American Rhino Foundation is a non-profit organization which was established on a commitment to protect Africa Wildlife. The AMF mission is to support the most local and effective organizations and anti-poaching efforts across Africa. The ethos of the Foundation lies in furthering education, promoting the leaders of tomorrow, and supporting all wildlife protectors.
CONRADO
Made with a Purpose to Repurpose: The clothing brand Conrado is dedicated to using only deadstock materials and include fabric, thread, buttons and trim. The deadstock materials from other brands and their factories are usually bound for the landfill. Conrado used these materials, repurposing them into stylish pieces and designs them with the environment in mind.
Ethically Made by Artisans: Conrado ethically produces every item in house at their family’s workshop in The Philippines. Founded almost 40 years ago, their skilled artisans and seamstresses are family to the brand. That is why all are offered competitive wages, health care, housing and education.
Inspired by a #citytobeach lifestyle, Conrado’s curated line of women’s essential clothing is versatile enough to wear in any setting. It reflects a lifestyle of comfort, beauty and ease. Conrado is based in Martha’s Vineyard, California and the Philippines.
You can find Conrado at Althea Designs Studio in Vineyard Haven, at the Chilmark Flea Market every Wednesday and Saturday, at the Featherstone Flea Market in Oak Bluffs every Tuesday, and at citrine x trust in Vineyard Haven.
BITCHSTIX
The line of cruelty-free lip and body balms are backed by a mission: To awaken people to their self-worth, and to encourage them to live boldly and courageously. BITCHSTIX does this in two ways:
- By putting “BITCH” in the name of a product that soothes and restores. We’re appropriating a word that has historically been used to inflict shame, and attaching it to an agent of restoration.
- By putting our money where our mouth is. BITCHSTIX donates to retailer-nominated nonprofit organizations that support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
BITCHSTIX is more than just a balm. It’s a call to action to transform a “bad” word into a force for good. It’s a one-of-a-kind product that seeks to inspire, empower, and change lives for the better.
BITCHSTIX can be found at The Glasshouse in Vineyard Haven.
CARVE DESIGNS
Carve Designs is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition–the apparel, footwear, and textile industry’s leading alliance for sustainable production.
California-based factories make a significant portion of the high-quality swimwear, activewear and rashguards Carve Designs remains committed to U.S. manufacturing and work with domestic factories as much they can. The company fosters deep relationships with its overseas factories, and their onsite managers visit the factories regularly (as often as daily during high production times) to ensure that workers are well compensated and treated fairly.
Mindful of the environment in which we live, Carve Designs uses sustainable fabric as much as possible. The cotton fabric is made from non-genetically modified plants without pesticides. Tencel is a carbon neutral, biodegradable fabric derived from quickly renewable eucalyptus trees. Modal is a carbon neutral, biodegradable fabric derived from quickly renewable beech trees.
Carve Designs partners with the Send It Foundation to take young adult cancer fighters on surf trips. The mission of the Send It Foundation is to inspire positivity, courage and gratitude in young adult cancer fighters through the gift of outdoor adventure and community. Carve Designs is also the presenting sponsor of SheJumps’ SUMMER SURF & SUP SERIES designed to introduce women and girls to water activities. SheJumps’ mission is to increase the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities.
Find Carve Designs clothing at The Green Room in Vineyard Haven
KENWORTHY
A mother-daughter collaboration that spun into being after countless trips throughout Asia, Central America, and the Middle East. Marlene and Randi gather inspiration by the textiles from their travels more than what’s leading the current trend, and looks to personify the laid-back island lifestyle that our home practically breathes.
Each piece is hand sewn on Martha’s Vineyard and purposely designed to outlive fashion cycles, in an attempt to create garments that are both timeless and relevant. Each and every fabric used is handpicked during their travels, chosen amongst the many all-natural fibers encountered. They scour the marketplaces, searching for just the right colors, drape, and textures.
Kenworthy supports and collaborates with a women-owned family workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico. Through this, their aim is to support women and artisans in a direct, fair-trade model, helping a culture-rich community to flourish. Kenworthy also offers inspiring retreats to Oaxaca, Mexico and has just recently opened a shop in Edgartown.
BLUEWAVE BODY COMPANY
Bluewave Body Company offers a plethora of goods, including hair-care and styling products, skin-care products, and a newly created line of cosmetics. All of the products are made in small batches, and made exclusively on Martha’s Vineyard. Bluewave only sources ethically harvested ingredients for their beauty and hair products. They also work very closely with vendors to make sure all fair-trade and sustainable practices are being followed when seeking ingredients. The company also sources local ingredients on Martha’s Vineyard from local vendors as well. They use organic, local honey in their Amazing Face Mask, and sea salt from local company MV Sea Salt in the Sea Salt Hair Texturizer. All of this so you can feel good about using their products.
Bluewave also has a line of cosmetics. Bluewave cosmetics was created out of spirit. Gwyneth, the owner, uses fresh, natural ingredients and makes everything herself. She oversees every aspect of the product; from concept to shelf. All of the products satisfy a specific need or desire, whether it be something comforting, or innovative, or if you’re looking for a product that just smells delicious. All of Bluewave Body Company’s products are cruelty-free and not tested on animals and they do exactly what they’re supposed to do. Gwyneth’s mission is to extensively research every ingredient, and test and retest every recipe. The best news: she’s constantly adding new items to the Bluewave Body Company line.
Bluewave Body Company is located in Edgartown but can be found at the Chilmark Flea Market every Wednesday and Saturday, and at the Featherstone Flea Market in Oak Bluffs every Tuesday.
BOY SMELLS
In 2016, Boy Smells began as an experiment in candle-making in the Los Angeles kitchen of co-founders and real-life partners Matthew Herman and David Kien. Boy Smells candles are all developed and mixed in the founders’ home in Los Angeles with fragrance and natural oils, all-natural coconut wax and beeswax. The candles are hand-poured in a reusable glass vessel and hand-labeled in Los Angeles, California.
In 2018, Boy Smells launched Boy Smells, Unmentionables- their first collection of intimate apparel, a new direction in the brand’s study of closeness. Made for all genders and all sizes, Boy Smells light jersey underwear are made in Peru from luxurious Pima cotton and dyed with an eco-friendly process to a palette of neo-natural colors that are skin-tone adjacent and inclusive.
Currently carried in over 300 retail locations worldwide, with 16 original scents, votive sets and 4 Unmentionables styles. Boy Smells for everyone.
BOY SMELLS UNMENTIONABLES can be found at Revive by Sarka in Vineyard Haven
