Sustainable fashion is no longer just a fad but an important lifestyle shift, especially in Asian countries like Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a strong presence in the global fashion industry, consistently following the latest trends. The highly active textile and fashion industries of the country generate a substantial amount of textile waste each day. According to a 2018 report by the South China Morning Post, more than 300 tons of textile waste were tossed out every single day in Hong Kong and dumped in the city’s landfills daily.
This adds to the country’s climate crisis, especially due to its proximity to major fast-fashion-producing countries like China. Thus, it is more important than ever to opt for clothing essentials that promote sustainable practices.
From Kibo’s apple leather sneakers to Svim’s swimwear, made from recycled bottles, quite a few Hong Kong labels are taking the lead in promoting sustainable fashion to solve this.
We have rounded up some of the best sustainable menswear fashion labels in Hong Kong that will help you become a conscious buyer in 2024.
The best sustainable fashion brands to check out in Hong Kong
Kibo
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Kibo is a sustainable sneaker brand in Hong Kong founded by Natalie and Simon. The term ‘Kibo’ means ‘hope’ in Japanese, and the brand’s mission is to bring some of it to the world by reinventing how footwear is made. These environmentally conscious sneakers are crafted using a precise blend of cutting-edge sustainable materials and organic resources like apple leather and upcycled leather straps. These sneakers come in diverse prints and colours and also include collaborations with artists.
Additionally, 95 per cent of the water is recycled and reused throughout to keep the manufacturing process closed-loop. For each pair of sneakers purchased at Kibo, a portion of the proceeds goes to Compassion First, which is a non-profit organisation that fights human trafficking.
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Pye
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Pye should be your next stop if you are on a hunt for a crisp dress shirt. Founded by Hong Kong businesswoman Dee Poon, the brand serves as a dress shirt specialist aiming to create timeless men’s apparel with a sustainable approach from seed to shirt.
The label’s one major goal is to craft the ideal shirt — one that is classic, suitable, of superior quality and crafted with honesty. They take pride in their eco-conscious philosophy, starting from cultivating their cotton in Xinjiang to spinning the yarn using Extra Long Staple cotton, and finally cutting and sewing their patterns. Besides dress shirts, Pye also offers casual wear t-shirts, outer shirts, blazers and even trench coats, making it a responsible alternative to conventional formal wear without sacrificing style.
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Selvaage
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Founded by Andrea and Tara, Selvaage is a high-end sustainable fashion label that aims to enhance the essential pieces in your wardrobe. Their motto states, “We don’t pretend to change the world but rather aspire to be part of a positive future, doing things our way, being creative, never taking ourselves or fashion too seriously and mainly having fun!
Their upcycled garment collections include organic cotton essentials, trousers and t-shirts crafted from a blend of eucalyptus fibres, BioEarth polyester suits and weather-resistant jackets created from discarded fishing nets. All of the designs draw inspiration from the diverse cultural blend of Hong Kong and its contrasting elements. The ethical brand strives to create significant and enduring styles that are designed for comfort and functionality our styles aim to be versatile and long-lasting.
Our Pick: Washed Blazer
Lane Eight
Lane Eight is a footwear label, focusing on producing workout shoes that are not only comfortable and stylish but also environmentally friendly. The brand, without a doubt, is pioneering a new era of performance footwear by departing from the traditional sport-specific shoe model. These multi-functional workout shoes conveniently transition from the gym to a jog in your local area, from a fitness class to your regular coffee stop.
The unisex trainers are crafted from lightweight vegan microfiber and recycled plastic yarn, equivalent to approximately 11 single-use plastic water bottles. Additionally, the midsole is created from natural materials like harvested algae blooms and eucalyptus, showcasing an excellent example of how sustainability and performance go hand in hand.
Our Pick: Men’s Trainer AD 1
Svim
If you are particularly looking for swimwear catering for men, Svim is the place to be. As the brand likes to say, it is only for men “who love to express their body confidence on the beach, by the pool, or out and about in various activities, wearing bold, bright, whimsical patterns.”
Svim combines style with functionality and their designs are not only eye-catching and playful but also capture the essence of summer. Each pair of swimming trunks is crafted from 10 recycled plastic bottles, reducing waste and promoting environmental consciousness.
All of the clothing is crafted from mindfully sourced materials, ensuring durability and a comfortable feel against the skin. Additionally, the length of their shorts provides just the right amount of coverage, empowering men to embrace body positivity.
Our Pick: Flamingo Flamingo Swim Shorts
The R Collective
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Established in 2017, The R Collective is a label of the Hong Kong-based charity Redress, which is dedicated to promoting a circular fashion system. Its primary objective is to combat fashion waste through the rescue, reuse and recycling of discarded fashion items.
Collaborating with renowned fashion brands and manufacturers, they strive to create ethically conscious products and clothing by upcycling luxury fabrics. The diverse accessory catalogue includes duffle bags, tote bags, crossbody leather bags, luggage tags and backpacks. Additionally, The R Collective contributes to environmental fundraising activities. They donate 25 per cent of their profits back to Redress, further supporting their engagement with these initiatives.
Our Pick: Rescued Duffle Bag
Shop The R Collective Products Here
Earth.er
Founded in 2012 in the Tai O fishing village of Hong Kong by Benny Yuen, Earth.er draws inspiration from nature and incorporates traditional craft techniques from Southeast Asia into its accessories. From hemp backpacks to the innovative Down to Earth.er footwear line, which repurposes rubber tyres, the sustainable label offers a range of environmentally conscious products
The brand prioritises eco-friendly materials and merges them with sustainable production processes. Additionally, the label creates everything from scratch — from planting the hemp plant to crafting it into textiles and eventually turning it into our bags. It’s a journey from seed to satchel that they closely follow.
Our Pick: Hemp Daily Bag
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(Hero and feature image credit: Instagram/Svim, Lane Eight and Earth.er)
