From traditional craftsmanship to secret gems, there are a lot of Southeast Asian fashion brands that go beyond the typical beach vibe. Pull up a chair for our picks of the best sustainable brands in our neighbouring regions!
Cambodia: Good Krama
Collaborating directly with artisans in rural communities, Good Krama is a Cambodia-based slow fashion label that produces its clothes with low impact processes, traditional weaving techniques, and upcycled textiles. Its garments are casual, cute, and super versatile too!
Shop on goodkrama.com
India: Runaway Bicycle
Based in Mumbai, Runaway Bicycle is founded by an advertising professional turned designer and brings minimalist elegance into the everyday. The brand works towards preserving traditional crafts with time-consuming and fastidious approaches that make for longer-lasting clothes that get more comfortable with each wash.
Shop on runawaybicycle.in
The Philippines: Rags2Riches
Founded as a social enterprise to alleviate poverty for Filipino artisans, Rags2Riches is a Quezon City-based ethical fashion label that works closely with the local community to make handbags and clothes from upcycled and indigenous woven fabrics.
Shop on rags2riches.ph
The Philippines: Maison Métisse
Celebrating Filipino cultural heritage and traditions through contemporary clothing, Maison Métisse’s chic pieces are handcrafted in small batches by artisans in the Philippines. Both quirky and comfortable, we love that the clothes are made from natural fabrics with natural dyes.
Shop on maison-metisse.com
India: Doodlage
A New Delhi-based brand that upcycles factory waste into limited-edition collections, Doodlage works with artisans in ethical production units around the country for both men’s and women’s garments of comfort and style. The brand also uses plastic-free packaging!
Shop on doodlage.in
Vietnam: Kilomet109
The Hanoi-based Kilomet109 offers super wearable garments that promote “fashion from the ground up”. Craft artisans around Vietnam grow, spin, weave, print, and naturally dye Kilomet109 fabrics before the founder Thao hand-stitches the clothes in her design studio.
Shop on kilomet109.com
Thailand: MaeTeeta
Based in Sakon Nakhon, MaeTeeta makes use of community harvested cotton and 100% traditional indigo dye with no synthetic chemicals, producing zero waste and pollution. All handcrafted by local artisans, it is modernising traditional Thai craftsmanship, one high-quality piece at a time.
Shop on maeteeta.net
Malaysia: Terrae
Terrae is a Kuala Lumpur brand making cute, quality, sustainable activewear for the fitness (or simply comfort—no judgement here!) peeps with a concern for mother Earth. The clothes are made of recycled fabrics and made to last, while the makers are compensated fairly for their time and efforts.
Shop on shopterrae.com
Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!