Sustainability is becoming more and more prominent in the world of fashion, and Woodbury Bus attended two thought-provoking shows during NYFW — Mandate of Heaven and Made by Mena. We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about the incredible sustainable brands to watch, the unforgettable NYFW shows, how you can shop the sustainable clothing brands online, and why the concept of sustainable fashion matters in today’s society.
The Sustainable Brands to Watch:
Mandate of Heaven is certainly a sustainable brand to watch in the emerging eco-friendly fashion world. Their one-of-a-kind handmade designs are produced in New York City, and their line, Opiate by Mandate of Heaven, features limited edition organic garments that are made by hand as well. Mandate of Heaven’s Instagram describes their brand as “ethically made wearable art & imagery from the fever dreams of a female gaze est. 2001,” making this brand all the more alluring.
Made By Mena is another New York-based, high-end sustainable brand to watch; they use recycled garments and sustainable sourced fabric that are created via the traditional cut and sew method. Made By Mena got their groundbreaking start back in 2016 after debuting at NYFW and attention from HighSnobeity and America’s Next Top Model followed suit. Made by Mena currently works with a variety of private clientele, creating custom garments for influencers and models worldwide.
The Unforgettable NYFW Shows:
Mandate of Heaven’s unforgettable NYFW show, aptly titled “Spirit in NYC,” showcased their innovative winter/spring ’24 collection at the renowned Williamsburg Arts and Historical Center; all proceeds were donated to the spectacular center, too. “You’re invited to come and be among the very first to witness our newest work, in and for one of NYC’s most hauntingly beautiful works of architecture, set to the backdrop of its stunning and intricately intact interior,” Mandate of Heaven wrote on their Instagram post. Photographs and videos of this remarkable show are also featured on their Instagram, and Mandate of Heaven reposted Woodbury Bus’s runway footage — set to The Sound Station’s “Wild One.” Mandate of Heaven also incorporated Bobby Darin’s, “Mack the Knife” in their show, too, which perfectly captured the essence of “Spirit in NYC.”
Made by Mena’s unforgettable NYFW show depicts their newest collection, “From the Street.” “From the Street” beautifully transforms discarded items from the streets of New York City into garments that are ready-to-wear, which creatively blurs the line between streetwear and high fashion. “Originally conceived as a performance piece, “From the Street,” inspires viewers to make conscious choices and embrace sustainable practices, encouraging viewers to reflect on their relationship with clothing and how they consume it,” Made by Mena noted on their site. Photographs of the mesmerizing “From the Street” NYFW show, which took place at Westbeth Home to the Arts, an artist’s gallery in New York City, are featured on Made by Mena’s Instagram as well.
Shop the Sustainable Clothing Brands Online:
You can happily support the eco-friendly lifestyle from NYFW when you shop the sustainable clothing brands online, and Mandate of Heaven offers wonderful pieces in their online store. The Mandate Mint Label shines a light on unique garments made from vintage and/or recycled materials, including their Cream Beaded Backless Sweater w/Antique Appliques, which features a backless sweater with a beaded neckline, antique leaf and flower appliques, a knit bamboo lining, and a velvet ribbon tie to complete the look. Their Opiate Shop is comprised of organic garments that are made by hand and/or in a Fairtrade production environment, such as their Black Bamboo Mortica Dress that intricately showcases a lace front neckline, back keyhole, removable hood, and a fabric that “feels like butter,” which does sound quite intriguing. (They also note that the ribbon in this garment is silk, but there can be an available vegan option upon request.) The Boyfriend collection is another facet of their online store that features limited edition accessories that are handmade in New York like their Brown Velvet Choker with a silver clasp and grosgrain backing.
In light of NYFW, you can also shop the sustainable brand, Made by Mena, online. Their Black on Black Hoodie , made in the NYC Mena Studio, is comprised of recycled deadstock materials, to ensure no waste, matte black rubberized PU print, matte black eyelets, and a raw hem and double needle sleeve finish. Their Fatigue Pants are an ode to camo lovers; they’re made to order from vintage fatigue woodland camo BDU pants, tapered at the leg for an aggressive runner fit. Their pocket replacements are with vintage denim and applique accents on the bottom right leg, and OD green cuffs are added to ensure a relaxed fit, too. Their Ribbed Long Sleeve is another Made by Mena look that’s made from vintage and recycled materials. The notable black is from a recycled chunky corduroy soft hand fabric, and the deep green is from a speckled wool rib fabric. It’s finished with a recycled rib knit at the neck and waist, and the sleeves are cut long to allow for gathering on the arm, culminating in its overall cozy aesthetic.
Why Sustainable Fashion Matters:
Sustainable fashion matters in today’s society since sustainability paves the way towards positive environmental and social change. The goal of sustainable fashion is to reduce waste and pollution; materials can be used and reused for as long as possible without having to seek out new resources. Sustainable brands strive for better materials such as regenerative cotton and more natural materials like hemp and ramie. From a social standpoint, sustainable fashion generates greater working conditions for textile workers, as opposed to the exploited labor force in the fast fashion industry. The company, Dorsu, in Cambodia, manufactures clothing from discarded fabrics from garment factories, and the workers thankfully receive a living wage, are given breaks, have contracts, and receive benefits.
Eco-friendly fashion is on the rise, and sustainable brands are stepping out into the spotlight. Mandate of Heaven and Made by Mena are sustainable brands to watch ever since they showcased their new collections at their unforgettable NYFW shows. You can even shop these brands online as well to show support for the importance of sustainability when it comes to your personal wardrobe. For more information on Mandate of Heaven and Made by Mena, visit their Websites at http://www.mandateofheavenclothing.com/index.html and https://www.madebymena.com/pages/bio.
