BY ALLISON LEE
Whilst we are all well aware of the rapid damage our planet is suffering, not everyone knows how they can help minimise environmental harm and social exploitation. Yet each of us can make a significant difference simply by considering where we buy our clothing.
Fast fashion brands enable rapid production and target fashion-conscious consumers seeking trendy, low-cost clothes. This inherently drives environmental waste and resource depletion. The truth is that many young shoppers want affordable clothing, while eco-friendly, sustainable labels—such as Stella McCartney—remain out of financial reach for most. However, there are brands that produce clothing at an accessible price point without compromising the environment.
If we pause to consider what synthetic fibres actually do to the planet, I am confident more of us would seek sustainable alternatives when buying new clothes. Synthetic fibres are petroleum-based plastics and never truly biodegrade. Instead, they slowly fragment into microplastics that persist in the environment for decades. Polyester, for example, takes between 20 and 200 years to break down, while acrylic takes over 200 years.
Choosing sustainable fashion allows consumers to support brands that protect the planet while also improving the lives of garment workers through ethical labour practices, safe working conditions, and fair wages. Replacing polyester, nylon, and acrylic with organically grown cotton, linen, hemp, Tencel, and lyocell helps reduce carbon emissions and microplastic pollution, while also avoiding toxic dyes.
One brand that appears to have perfected this balance—while producing affordable, fashionable clothing—is Aspiga.
Aspiga was founded in 2006 by Lucy Macnamara. During a holiday in Kenya in 2005, Lucy was captivated by the artistry and craftsmanship of the hand-beaded sandals, belts, and jewellery made by local artisans. Inspired, she spent the following year designing her own collection of sandals and belts, launching it in 2006 at Top Drawer in London. Her merchandise was quickly snapped up by 40 stockists, including Fenwick of Bond Street. Encouraged by this initial success, Lucy left her job to focus on building Aspiga full time. Over the next 20 years, her journey took off with an impressive timeline:
- 2006 – Aspiga launched
- 2010 – The brand expanded into India
- 2015 – Aspiga launched its clothing collection
- 2019 – All plastic was eliminated from Aspiga’s own packaging
- 2020 – Aspiga opened its first store
- 2022 – The brand achieved B Corp certification (verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability)
- 2023 – Aspiga mapped its carbon footprint with Future Leap
- 2024 – All garment suppliers were certified by registered governing bodies
- 2025 – The brand recertified as a B Corp company, achieving a score of 106.7
- 2026 – Aspiga launched a collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society
Every decision Aspiga makes is geared towards minimising its impact on the planet, both as individuals and as a business. The brand is also passionate about educating its customers, producing literature available in-store and online, titled Tips for Living Sustainably. Aspiga also offers a repair and re-wear service to help customers extend the life of their clothing.
Aspiga works tirelessly to minimise waste and plastic use across all packaging, focusing on recyclable and compostable materials. In 2019, they removed all plastic from their packaging, and in 2023 they partnered with Weavable, a bespoke clothing branding specialist dedicated to sustainable packaging and innovative design. With Weavable’s help, Aspiga now uses certified organic woven labels, swing tags made from FSC-certified paper, and garment bags made from biodegradable cornstarch. In one year alone, Aspiga’s recycled packaging saved 121,814 plastic bags from going to landfill.
Traceability runs through the core of Aspiga. From field to mill, the company invests in certified fabrics to ensure responsible sourcing and accountability. They source innovative, sustainable fabrics, have removed 100% of conventional synthetic fabrics from their collection, and have introduced recycled polyester made from post-consumer waste—certified by the Global Recycled Standard—for new product categories, including swimwear and eveningwear. On the rare occasions when responsibly sourced or organic cotton has not been available, Aspiga has donated to WaterHarvest, an India-based water charity.
In 2026, Aspiga celebrated its 20th anniversary, and founder Lucy wanted to create something that truly reflects the brand’s love of nature, craftsmanship, and timeless design. “Partnering with the Royal Horticultural Society felt completely natural. We share a passion for beauty, sustainability, and protecting the environment for future generations,” said Lucy. She went on to explain:
Exploring the RHS archives was an inspiring journey. Discovering historic botanical artworks and reimagining them for today allowed us to bridge past and present through design. This capsule collection brings these prints to life in a modern way—from delicate ditsy florals to bold, dramatic blooms. Craftsmanship and responsible creation have been at the heart of this collaboration. Our makers have used responsibly sourced fabrics and artisanal techniques to ensure each piece feels both meaningful and beautifully made. As an award-winning sustainable B Corp brand, it was essential that the collection celebrated not only the artistry of nature but also our ongoing commitment to conscious design. This collaboration is also a tribute to the talented artisans, partners, and loyal community who have been part of Aspiga’s story over the past two decades. For me, this collection feels especially meaningful, as it is a reminder of why Aspiga began and the values that continue to guide us. As we look ahead to the next chapter, we remain dedicated to creating pieces that are not only beautiful but also made with purpose. This collection is a joyful celebration of 20 years of Aspiga and of the enduring beauty of the natural world that inspires everything we do.”
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.