5 Eco-Conscious Accessories Brands You Need To Know About

Based in New York, Monique Péan launched her eponymous jewelry line in 2006 with the aim of bringing change in the world through art, fashion, and philanthropy. Creating luxury bespoke products that promote social and environmental responsibility, Péan consciously sources and produces each piece by working with indigenous craftsmen in developing communities to create jobs, nurture skills, and provide income. All of her materials are 100 percent recycled, and include gold, reclaimed metals, and antique jewelry.

Kayu – meaning wood – was founded by California-based Jamie Lim in 2009 to preserve and support the unique skill sets of local artisans in South East Asia. With sustainable materials such as bamboo, straw, wood, and recycled leather, each Kayu product uses ancient techniques the likes of wood carving, straw weaving, and batik printing. For every accessory Kayu sells, a percentage is donated to health and educational initiatives around the world.

Eco-Conscious luxury brand Maiyet – set up by former human-rights lawyer Paul van Zyl and Kristy Caylor – blends the aesthetic of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. With the idea of creating a range of high-end products including scarves, fine jewelry, and leather goods, Maiyet nurtures the artisanal skills of master craftsmen from countries such as Peru, Indonesia, Columbia, Italy, Kenya, and Mongolia. The brand also runs specialized training programs, providing the chance to grow and fine-tune production skills. Dedicated to building partnerships with artisans around the world, Maiyet has teamed up with Nest, an independent nonprofit that is committed to “training and developing artisan businesses to promote entrepreneurship, prosperity, and dignity in places that need it the most”.

Born and raised in New York City, Pamela Love set up her namesake brand in 2006 from her Brooklyn apartment. Inspired by magic and rituals, Love is passionate about sustainability and producing her pieces locally. Every stone, be it a gemstone or a semiprecious stone, is ethically sourced, and nearly all the metal used in her jewelry is recycled.

International fast fashion brand H&M launched its latest ‘Conscious’ and ‘Conscious Exclusive’ collections earlier this month, introducing two new materials – organic leather sourced from Sweden and organic silk harvested from organic mulberry trees. The ‘Conscious Exclusive’ line includes beautiful tassel drop earrings, an embroidered white-and-gold clutch, and rosebud earrings made of blush-pink leather, all at affordable prices.