According to The Journal, Ireland produces up to 30% more waste at Christmas than any other time of the year. As a fashion lover, fast fashion immediately springs to mind as an example of this. We all know by now the damage that fast fashion does. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater, and yet clothing and accessory retailers have their highest sales this time of year.
Companies like Shein, Zara and H&M also have notoriously subjected their workers to human rights violations, enabling them to keep their costs so low. The BBC spoke to employees atShein factories, who reported that they worked an average of 75 hours a week, with one day off a month. The company has also admitted to finding children working in their factories, in what has been compared to slave like conditions. Is your €20 jumper to wear to college Christmas really worth that?
One way to make shopping for the fashionistas in your life more ethical this December is to shop from small Irish brands. As well as being good for the economy, Ireland is so blessed with a wealth of brands committed to sustainability and producing their products ethically. By shopping from independent Irish brands, you’re getting the peace of mind that your money is supporting local businesses, and you’ll nearly always find something that you can’t find anywhere else. Below I’ve listed some of my favourite options that’ll be sure to impress even your most Pinterest addicted friends.
Image via @nwvintage_ on Instagram
N.W. Vintage
Price Range: €10-€25
Available at: Pop-up markets
Would make a great gift for: anyone and everyone! Amazing for vintage lovers or to introduce someone to the world of second-hand clothing.
You may have spotted N.W Vintage at Fashion Soc’s pop-up in the Pav Marquee this September, run by one of our own, Michael Sheehan. He curates vintage clothing and sells them at very reasonable prices, giving the garments a new home that isn’t a landfill. He began by selling on Depop and sold over 4,000 items, but has since transitioned to in-person sales only. His customer base includes a plethora of students, but people of all ages from all over Ireland looking for something stylish have bought from him. Second-hand clothing already involves a very low level of waste, but Sheehan goes the extra mile by getting in a lot of damaged items that may be overlooked and repairing them before selling them. This extends their lifespan significantly and shows the real effort he makes to ensure his business is ethical. He offers men’s and women’s clothing, giving you the chance to get a gift for pretty much anyone! His pop-ups are advertised on Instagram at @nwvintage_, so if you’re hoping to pick something up, follow him over there to see when you’ll get the chance.
Photo by Leyla Ní Choimín
Emily O’Shea
Price Range: €80-€250
Available at: Om Diva or by DMing her on Instagram @emilyy.oshea
Would make a great gift for: someone with a funky sense of style, someone who dresses up just to go to the shops and who appreciates craftsmanship and innovative design.
Emily O’Shea is an unbelievably talented Dublin-based designer who was featured in both Ireland Fashion Week and Dublin Independent Fashion Week this year. If you’re into Irish fashion, you may have seen her Catherine Connolly co-ord, a matching t-shirt and maxi skirt featuring a photo of the President being unreal at keepie-uppies. Her work is inventive and colourful; she takes glimpses of her surroundings and turns them into gorgeous garments. A personal favourite of mine is her ‘F*** your Bougie Cafes’ vest. She does absolutely everything herself in her studio, ensuring her work is as sustainable as possible. A majority of her fabrics are deadstock or upcycled to minimise waste, and when she does buy fabrics, she purchases from local fabric shops around the city. Unless you can snag one in Om Diva, O’Shea’s pieces are made to order, so make sure you send that DM quickly to get something for your most fashionable friends and family in time for Christmas!
Image via @seodrabeaga on Instagram
Seodra Beaga
Price Range: €10-25
Available at: Depop or pop-up markets
Would make a great gift for: anyone of any gender who is looking to incorporate a bit of Irishness into their look (which is most of us at the moment)
Seodra Beaga is a small jewellery business focused on Irish-centric designs. Sadhbh ní Loinsigh, the face behind the brand, makes all of the pieces herself, taking inspiration from her pride in her culture. Her designs feature spirals, triskelions, dara knots, and of course, claddaghs. The pieces are both timeless and on trend amidst the ongoing Celtic revival, making them the perfect gift this year. My recommendation would be the Claddagh Bow earrings, made with stainless steel studs, so you’re getting amazing value for your money! As I’ve mentioned, all of her jewellery is made by her, and she sources her materials from other small Irish businesses and up-cycles beads where possible. These pieces would make such a fantastic stocking filler or secret Santa gift. The claddagh designs would also be perfect for a special someone, so make sure to check out @seodrabeaga on Instagram to see what markets she’ll be at this Christmas.
Photo by Leyla Ní Choimín
Grace Ní Mhealláin
Price Range: €40-€100
Available at: Monthly drops on www.gracenimheallain.com and pop-up markets occasionally
Would make a great gift for: someone who loves wearing something one of a kind, with a connection to their Irish and Celtic culture and an appreciation for artistry.
Grace ní Mheallain is relatively new to fashion design, but she’s already been featured in RTÉ, The Irish Times, IMAGE Magazine and had her designs worn on stage at Glastonbury. Her pieces are phenomenal; similarly to Seodra Beaga, her work is heavily influenced by being Irish. One of her most popular products is her unisex t-shirts, featuring various Irishisms including harps, cupán tae, Molly Malone and 99s. She also has gorgeous embroidered jumpers/ponchos and handmade ‘going out’ tops. She is very conscious of her business being ethical, and many of her garments are made from upcycled tablecloths, curtains and bed sheets. This has the dual benefit of being sustainable as well as being high-quality, as vintage fabrics tend to be made to last. Ní Mheallain’s t-shirts are a great universal gift, and she’s teased some festive going-out tops that I’ll be keeping an eye out for. Her drops sell out quickly, so make sure to keep up to date with her on Instagram @gracenimheallain.
