specifically for a bag or a purse. As well as this, the scarves and bags are all dyed and coloured using natural vegetable dye. These natural tanners are chromium free, biodegradable and are all hand made by experienced workers. Using natural tanners is more sustainable as it reduces the brands carbon footprint and is safer for the workers making the garments too.
To make the bags unique, each one is laser cut with a quote. These quotes are ones that are usually found on the care label of a garment but to play on the idea, Marlow London use them as decoration. For example, one of the quotes is 'This bag was handcrafted from the finest materials and leather. Its superior craftsmanship reflects our commitment to enduring quality. It is made out of completely vegetable tanned leather. The scars, scratches, veins and wrinkles are natural markings'. This is used to emulate how the brand wants to be sustainable and using sustainability as their driving force. Marlow also uses collaborations in order to build awareness on sustainability with creative minds such as the artist Stephanie Kane.
Stella McCartney is one of the most well-known sustainable brands to date. The vegetarian brand operates a sustainable and modern business. Stella McCartney responsibly source their materials so that their supply chain and operations are respectful to the planet. As well as using organic cotton, wind power and no plastic they believe that animals should not be killed for the sake of fashion and have not and will never use leather, fur or feather for any of their garments. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and NGOs such as PETA have shown that the meat and leather industry is one of the most environmentally damaging in the world. Using animal skins causes a number of issues such as caustic, toxic chemicals that prevent them from decomposing. The chemicals used in leather tanning makes it one of most toxic industries in the world. Chrome, a known carcinogen, is used in huge quantities and the groundwater near leather tanneries in developing countries has been found to contain critically high levels of lead, formaldehyde and even cyanide. This causes cancer and other fatal illnesses in nearby populations. Marlow London has also taken this into consideration too and is following in the footsteps of Stella McCartney.
Alternative materials that Stella McCartney use include vegetarian leather, organic cotton, recycled fabrics, wood and paper, regenerated cashmere and forest friendly fabrics.
Stella McCartney are also responsible in the way that they source their materials. They are a member of the Ethical Trade Initiative which is a groundbreaking alliance of companies and brands working together to improve working conditions around the world. They are working to include safe and fair working conditions across the whole of their supply chain by building long term relationships with their suppliers so that all products are made with integrity. When sourcing their materials, Stella McCartney stick so a strict rule of no fur, no skin and no feathers; no animal testing; no PVC; no to Angora and no sandblasting. Following a set of rules ensures that the brand will always be as sustainable and as ethically sure as possible.
Small brands such as Marlow London following in the footsteps of Stella McCartney are making an impact on fashion and hopefully in years to come, more brands will follow suit and fashion will become a place where animals are safe and people are fairly treated.
Reported by Molly Gordon
Fashion Wanderer