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Not only are well-known brands moving toward ethical fashion, but up- and-coming labels seem to be following suit. This past August, Copenhagen's fashion week featured 29 labels which hailed the hallmark of sustainability. So why has it taken so long for the advent of guilt-free fashion to arrive? The effort is about taking a slower and more measured approach to clothing production, giving rise to tradeoffs that result in compromisation of design, cut, and material. Given the complexity of the garment supply chain, producing environmentally sustainable fashion is complicated. It's a constant struggle when balancing profit margins with a good moral compass. At the end of the day, companies need to operate efficiently to compete with the rest of the market. Additionally, the supply of materials remains relatively limited. Alternatives to the normal textiles are few and far between. The manufacturing of organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo have not scaled to meet conventional production. Due to this, substituting traditional materials for more recent and innovative materials can carry a hefty price tag for manufactures and designers alike. Despite these challenges, today's top labels are continuing to revolutionize the fashion world and are gradually adopting responsible practices. One major label that is leading the luxury industry into sustainability is Stella McCartney, a brand known for their sharp tailoring and feminine aesthetic. They are a vegetarian company that has committed themselves to a responsible, honest, and modern business philosophy, positioning sustainability as a primary pillar. In 2014, they increased their use of certified organic cotton and recycled VUE ON FASHION

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