Sponsored by FOPE
A new era of British style is here – where craft meets conscience. This category celebrates pioneers reimagining wardrobes: regenerative makers, circular innovators and designers proving that desirability and responsibility are inseparable threads.
E.L.V. DENIM continues to redefine luxury fashion by proving that waste is a resource in the wrong place. Founded by stylist Anna Foster, the East London-based label is built entirely on upcycling – transforming post-consumer and deadstock textiles into couture-inspired designs. Each piece is handcrafted locally, with generous seam allowances to ensure longevity and adaptability. In the past year, the brand has scaled its model through partnerships with The Outnet and global hotel groups, turning discarded linens and garments into ready-to-wear collections.
‘The continuing design creativity behind this brand as a result of its inconsistent materials supply makes it truly exciting. Love the vision for the future – cross-industry and global.’ – Tiffanie Darke
‘Ever impressed to see the direction this business is moving in and its next steps to support a global circular fashion industry. Love the line: “Our goal is to prove there is no such thing as waste, only resources in the wrong place.”’ – Rachel Arthur
As one of the UK’s most respected sustainable fashion labels, Aspiga has become synonymous with effortless, ethical style. The London-based B Corp partners with artisans and family-run factories in Kenya and India to create timeless pieces in natural and low-impact fibres such as organic cotton, linen and EcoVero viscose. Over the past year, the brand has expanded its pre-loved and repair platforms, launched beach clean-ups across Kenya, the UK and Barbados, and continued to fund education and community initiatives.
‘An amazing example of best-in-class sustainable fashion at an accessible price point. You get the feeling very few corners are cut, and Lucy Macnamara would rather take the hard way than the easy way if it means doing something better. An example to the rest of the industry.’ – Tiffanie Darke
‘An exemplar of consideration for most aspects of the business across the environmental and social spectrum, with a high level of certifications and commendable year-on-year targets. The embodiment of B Corp principles.’ – Shailja Dubé
BEEN’s collaboration with FastFeetGrinded represents a breakthrough in tackling one of fashion’s toughest waste streams – post-consumer footwear. By transforming discarded shoes into high-quality leather, textiles and foam used across its new accessories line, the brand demonstrates true circular design in action. Every part of an old shoe – from uppers to soles – is repurposed into beautiful, long-lasting pieces, proving that waste can become raw material again. This partnership not only challenges industry norms but offers a scalable solution to a global problem, closing the loop on one of fashion’s most polluting systems.
‘FastFeetGrinded is an amazing technology and BEEN is the perfect partner for testing commercial applications. BEEN has always proved a model of circularity, and this partnership takes that one step further by tackling the terrible waste in the fashion industry.’ – Tiffanie Darke
‘Great entry. Anything that can start to prove the viability of textile-to-textile recycling is really valuable currently.’ – Rachel Arthur
VivoBiome by Vivobarefoot is redefining the future of footwear through its world-first scan-to-print circular system. Customers scan their feet to create a unique digital blueprint that is transformed into bespoke 3D-printed shoes – made-to-order, made-to-fit and made-to-be-remade. This eliminates overproduction, reduces material waste and shortens supply chains, all while enhancing natural movement and wellbeing. Rooted in barefoot science and regenerative design, VivoBiome represents the convergence of fashion, health and technology – setting a new benchmark for scalable, circular manufacturing.
‘A best-in-class entry for a game-changing technology that could change the way the industry designs, manufactures and distributes footwear – one of the most wasteful and polluting systems on the planet.’ – Tiffanie Darke
‘A hugely innovative product, technology and product ecosystem story which, when scaled, could act as a major way to help us move towards slower consumption through bespoke, made-to-order models.’ – Shailja Dubé
With its roots in Somerset, Mulberry continues to redefine what British luxury can mean in an age of accountability. Its ‘Back to the Mulberry Spirit’ strategy weaves sustainability into every thread – from regenerative leather sourcing and in-house manufacturing to its thriving resale platform, The Mulberry Exchange. Achieving B Corp certification in 2024, the brand has proved that heritage craftsmanship and circular innovation can coexist, while maintaining transparency across its UK and global supply chains. Mulberry exemplifies its community-minded approach with fair wages and social impact programmes.
‘Mulberry is a standard bearer for responsible luxury. Its commitment to regenerative British craft, social impact, and circular design inspires others and feels authentic.’ – Lucy Cleland
Founded by former BBC journalist Genia Mineeva, BEEN transforms waste into timeless, high-end accessories. From handbags crafted out of post-consumer leather and deconstructed footwear, to collaborations with Tate, Rosewood Hotels and VISA, the brand’s all-female team champions material innovation with measurable impact. Having achieved B Corp certification in 2024, BEEN is a genuine changemaker in circular fashion, challenging the industry’s reliance on virgin materials and showing how waste can become raw material for the future.
‘Very innovative with clear motivation. The scaling of this business will be interesting to observe.’ – Smruti Sriram
Vivobarefoot continues to lead the charge in rewilding both people and planet through regenerative design. Built on the philosophy that the healthiest shoes are those that let feet move naturally, the brand champions repairability, recyclability and transparency. From its ReVivo resale and refurbishment platform to its B Corp status and open-source approach to sustainability, Vivobarefoot is redefining what responsible performance footwear looks like. Its groundbreaking innovation, VivoBiome, takes this mission one step further – a scan-to-print circular system that creates bespoke, 3D-printed shoes on demand, cutting waste and eliminating overproduction.
‘Vivobarefoot’s commitment to circularity is unparalleled – from design to innovation to production, they are reshaping the global footwear industry.’ – Jenn McGarrigle
Founded by former rowing champion Greg Taylor, Step One has built an international business. From its beginnings in Australia to its expansion into the UK, the brand has pioneered the use of FSC®-certified bamboo viscose – a renewable, pesticide-free material that reduces water use and carbon emissions compared to cotton. Step One’s commitment to ethical production runs from compostable packaging and transparent supply chains to zero-deforestation certification and rigorous labour standards verified through regular audits. With its UltraGlyde® anti-chafe technology and athlete ambassador programme, Step One has made sustainable underwear both functional and desirable.
‘A compelling example of how responsible design can also deliver professional-grade performance. Step One exemplifies transparency, social responsibility and genuine material innovation.’ – Lucy Cleland
Founded in London in 2007, Wellicious is leading the way in truly circular activewear. Relaunched in 2025 with a renewed mission to protect the planet for future generations, the brand has created the world’s first fully Cradle to Cradle Certified® yoga and activewear line – Gold overall, and Platinum in Material Health. Every garment, from its GOTS-certified organic cotton to its biodegradable elastane, is designed to return safely to the earth without shedding microplastics or releasing toxins. Produced entirely within the EU, Wellicious also champions fair wages, zero-waste manufacturing, and consumer education through its take-back programme and no-waste production model.
‘Wellicious’s cradle-to-cradle approach, non-toxic materials and zero-waste philosophy set a gold standard for the activewear industry.’ – Smruti Sriram
As the UK’s first B Corp-certified marketplace, Wolf & Badger has redefined what ethical retail can look like at scale. Home to more than 2,000 independent brands across 100 countries, it curates consciously made fashion, beauty, homeware and accessories that balance craftsmanship with purpose. In 2025, the company achieved a B Corp recertification score of 108.8 – a 34 percent improvement on its previous rating – thanks to advances in circularity, data transparency and social responsibility. Through initiatives like its Guarantees Index, Greenly carbon accounting partnership and collaborations with Thrift+ and The Seam, Wolf & Badger is setting new standards for accountability and circular innovation in global retail.
‘Wolf & Badger exemplifies the future of retail. Through their commitment to low-impact materials, transparency, and the amplification of minority-owned brands, they’ve built a global platform that partners with over 2,000 makers to bring ethical, beautifully crafted products to conscious consumers.’ – Jenn McGarrigle
Born from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre has evolved into one of the UK’s most progressive outdoor apparel brands, defined by its pioneering circularity and deep connection to the sea. From its cliff-top workshop in Cornwall, the B Corp continues to challenge the fast-fashion status quo with repair, resale and rental initiatives under its Lived & Loved programme – repairing over 2,000 items in 2024 alone and keeping thousands more in circulation through take-back schemes and partnerships such as Reskinned and Circular Flow. With regenerative cotton sourcing, near-shoring production, and a new carbon data system to track every design decision, Finisterre is setting a benchmark for the industry.
‘A consistent leader in responsible outdoor apparel, demonstrating how innovation, craftsmanship and community can drive measurable circular progress. I love what these guys are doing’ – Lucy Cleland
A trailblazer in the luxury resale and preloved sector, Sign of the Times has transformed the perception of pre-owned fashion from niche to aspirational. Under Antonia Johnstone’s leadership, the Chelsea-based platform has powered circular fashion partnerships with major retailers such as John Lewis and Farfetch, built bespoke AI technology to streamline resale logistics, and launched creative campaigns like 1976 Heritage to inspire consumer behaviour change. With three Drapers Awards and over 100,000 luxury items extended into new life, Sign of the Times continues to define intelligent circular fashion.
‘A standout example of how powerful retail partnerships can drive real circular change.’ – Smruti Sriram
‘Aspiga embodies everything we champion at Country & Town House – purpose-driven design, authentic storytelling, and sustainability across the supply chain. This award recognises Lucy Macnamara’s unwavering integrity and the positive ripple effect Aspiga continues to have across communities and the wider industry.’ – Lucy Cleland
We are delighted to be partnering with FOPE for this year's Future Icons Awards and Power People from Country & Town House.
