Fashion is evolving, and with it, our ways of consuming. In Brussels , a new generation of consumers is turning to ethical fashion : fashion that respects the environment , workers , and our health . Between ecological impact, brand transparency, and the desire to consume locally, the Belgian capital is becoming a veritable laboratory for clothing change.
In this article, we explore together what ethical fashion really is, why it is essential, which brands to discover in Brussels , and whether “local” always rhymes with “ethical”.
Table of Contents
- What is ethical fashion?
- Why consume ethically?
- Top 5 ethical brands in Brussels
- Are local products always ethical?
- Conclusion
- Sources
If you can't be bothered to read everything
🤝 Ethics in fashion means putting people and the planet back at the center , before profit and overproduction.
🧵 An ethical brand is a brand that produces less , but better — in fair conditions , with decent wages and clear traceability .
🌿 She chooses her materials with care (organic, recycled, local) and works with workshops that respect artisans and their know-how.
🚫 Conversely, fast fashion is based on exploitation, greenwashing and total opacity: it's difficult to talk about responsible fashion when you release 52 collections per year .
🇧🇪 In Belgium, brands like Lucid Collective , Méson , Valalab , Sé-em and Valérie Berckmans show that another path is possible.
What is ethical fashion?
In brand vocabulary, “ethical” sounds good, but behind the word lies a rich and nuanced reality. A truly ethical fashion brand rethinks the entire chain: from raw materials to the end of the garment's life.
Unlike fast fashion, which prioritizes speed and low cost at the expense of the planet and workers, ethical fashion is based on three pillars:
- Respect for working conditions in clothing workshops.
- Choice of responsible materials (organic, recycled or certified).
- Reduction of ecological impact (water, chemicals, short circuits).
Why consume ethically?
Beyond the moral argument, there are concrete benefits — for you, for Brussels, for the planet:
🌱 Limit pollution : the textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world
🤝 Respect human rights : buying ethically means supporting better-paid workers.
🏡 Support the local economy : ordering from Brussels or Belgium means promoting local know-how.
💡 Encourage innovation : alternative fibers, upcycling, recycling
A clothing dump in Africa / Source: Greenpeace (2022)
Top 5 ethical brands in Brussels
Lucid
Lucid is a Belgian brand that places ethics and local products at the heart of its identity. There's no compromise here: each garment is designed with certified materials—organic cotton, European linen, recycled fibers—and manufactured in Belgium in socially responsible workshops. The goal is clear: to offer a sustainable and timeless wardrobe, far removed from the disposable collections of fast fashion.
Meson
Méson is a Brussels-based brand that combines creativity and circularity. Its unique feature? Giving household linen a second life by transforming it into unique and sustainable clothing. Each piece tells a story between past and present, embodying a fashion where nothing is lost, everything is reinvented.
Valalab
Valalab is a Brussels-based brand that explores fashion as a sustainable laboratory. It develops small-batch collections using natural, recycled, or repurposed materials. More than a brand, it's a creative approach that combines style and awareness.
Se-em
Sé-em breathes new life into forgotten textiles. Using dormant fabrics, the designer creates unique and sustainable pieces. The artisanal, local, and ethical approach promotes creative expertise while reducing textile waste.
Valérie Berckmans
A pioneering figure in ethical fashion in Belgium, Valérie Berckmans has championed a responsible and transparent approach for over 20 years. Her local collections in Belgian social workshops favor organic and recycled materials, with a simple, elegant, and timeless style.
Are local products always ethical?
Producing in Brussels or Belgium is a good starting point, but it's not an absolute guarantee. Here are some points to watch out for:
Transparency : check the labels (GOTS, GRS, Oeko-Tex, etc.).
Working conditions : a local workshop must also guarantee a decent salary.
Minimalism : too many collections = model close to fast fashion.
Beware of greenwashing : local does not always mean responsible.
Conclusion: reinventing fashion in Brussels with Lucid
Ethical fashion in Brussels isn't a passing trend: it's a profound transformation in the way we consume and create. By choosing sustainable, local, and responsible clothing, we're building a wardrobe that reflects our values as much as our style.
At Lucid , we want to contribute to this transformation by focusing on consistency: certified materials, local workshops, and transparent communication. We believe it's possible to make sustainable fashion without sacrificing style.
✨ Want to go further? Discover our collections and join us in this responsible adventure.
Sources
- Ecoconso. (nd). How to choose organic, ethical, and eco-responsible clothing . https://www.ecoconso.be/fr/content/comment-choisir-des-vetements-bio-ethiques-ecoresponsables
- Greenpeace. (nd). How to choose a more ethical and responsible fashion . https://www.greenpeace.fr/comment-opter-pour-une-mode-plus-ethique-et-responsable
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Greenpeace. (2022, June 10). Report: Africa, dumping ground for fast fashion . https://www.greenpeace.fr/reportage-lafrique-depotoir-de-la-fast-fashion
- Modames. (nd). Ethical fashion: definition and explanations . https://www.modames.com/mode-ethique
- Fair Trade Week. (2022, September 25). What is the impact of our clothing on the environment? https://semaineducommerceequitable.be/2022/09/25/vetements-impact
- Viard-Klein, M. (2022, June 1). Slow fashion: “real” sustainable initiatives or greenwashing? . L'Info Durable. https://www.linfodurable.fr/conso/slow-fashion-initiatives-durables-reelles-ou-greenwashing-32471
