In the global fashion industry, sustainable fashion is a hot topic. The use of environmentally harmful chemicals and unhealthy working conditions in large fashion company factories have consumers and designers rethinking what they are really purchasing and creating.
Scottsdale-based fashion company Hearts brings the values of sustainable fashion to the Arizona community. Hearts provides products made of sustainable materials from artisans worldwide and allows customers to be knowledgeable of each product.
“All of our products are ethically produced," senior designer Heather Shandler said. "We ask those questions of, ‘How are each designer’s employees are treated?’, ‘Where do their materials come from and how they are made?’ A lot of research goes into how we choose our products.”
All the products featured at Hearts come with an “inspirational story” behind the making of the product. A navy crocheted tie was made by a group of female lace artisans in the small town Narsapur, India, making the tie in a fair trade environment.
“We want to show that you have the purchase power to change the world for people and our planet,” Shandler said.
The products provided by Hearts are not only helping make the world a better place; they are also making their customers look fashionable. The products at Hearts reflect the latest fashion trends and are also made from materials that won’t end up in the garbage after one use. Hearts values the sustainable fashion notion of quality over quantity and value fabrics that are environmentally friendly, Shandler said.
“We want (to) show our customers that you can look good and do good at the same time,” she said.
Though eco-friendly clothing can be difficult for consumers to see as fashionable and trendy, Hearts strives to combine what is fashionable and eco-friendly.
“We want people to be knowledgeable of the stories behind our products,” Tiffany Phillips, stylist at Hearts said. “We want to make (products) eco-friendly, fashionable and genuine.”
For now, Hearts provides designed bags and unique accessories for its customers on their online store, Hearts.com. The designers at Hearts are working on their first clothing line for men and women. Hearts advocates that “conscious minds create change” and hopes to present the values and ideas of sustainable fashion to Arizonans and the world.
Check out Hearts’ video on “Conscious Consumerism.”
Reach the reporter at hdiiullo@asu.edu or follow on Twitter @HaleighD_SP
