FRIENDS Hayley Andrews and Emma Lindsay are helping people wear fashion that is kind to the earth.
The pair launched online clothing store Gypsy and the Sea with the aim of creating a hub for women to express themselves, participate in workshops and have access to beautiful sustainable clothing.
Ms Lindsay, of Beeliar, said they offered clothing that was sustainable and ethically made.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We source beautiful brands from around the world that align with our values and way of doing business,” she said.
“As a business, we have made a commitment to support momma Earth, support our community and support one another.”
Ms Andrews, of North Beach, did plenty of research to educate herself on sustainable fashion.
She said things that made items sustainable included the fabric used, conditions in which it was created and how long it lasted.
“Sustainable garments are made with organic natural fibres that don’t use toxic/harmful chemicals to produce,” she said.
“The water usage is greatly monitored throughout the entire process and the item is made to last, ethically in fair trade working conditions.
“Sustainable fashion may cost a little more up front, however you will end up buying less which means you’ll actually save more.”
Gypsy and the Sea aims to make it easier for women to shop sustainably, with Ms Andrews and Ms Lindsay having visited some of the labels’ operations, and they also sell pre-loved clothing.
They donate five per cent of sales profits to charities Yalari, which provides school scholarship for Indigenous children from regional areas, and the Dare to Dream Project that helps women-led businesses in developing countries.
The pair hopes to create a walk-in store within the next few years.
How denim jeans impact the environment
ACCORDING to Ms Andrews, it takes 7600L of water to make a pair of average jeans.
“Sustainable denim is created out of organic cotton, which means the cotton is grown with no GMO, chemical fertilisers, pesticides or insecticides and the growing process uses less water and energy than the conventional cotton production,” she said.
“Plus when you wash your garment at home harmful chemicals aren’t being released into our water ways and even onto your skin.”
Ms Andrews also said Australians bought an average of 27kg of clothing per year, with 23kg discarded to landfill.