A new fashion brand in South Wales has won an influential award.
Onesta has won a Marie Claire Sustainability Award for Best Sustainable Small Brand.
The fashion magazine said that Onesta, which is less than a year old, has continually demonstrated its commitment to openness and transparency, operating ethically, protecting human rights and animal welfare, and minimising harm to the planet.
Launched in December 2020 by Gabriella Diana, Onesta produces clothing using innovative, low-impact fabrics. It sources plant-based materials such as seaweed or eucalyptus, and ensure it is being harvested in the most sustainable way possible.
Ms Diana, Onesta CEO, says Onesta prioritises its workers by employing local students, graduates and machinists who have limited opportunities to work in fashion in Wales.
Each garment, Ms Diana says, is made for longevity, with quality and craftsmanship embedded in every stitch. Not stopping there, she adds, Onesta retains all the scrap fabric produced from the manufacturing and upcycles them into new projects.
Onesta sources as many materials as possible from the UK, including their labels that are from Wales and the buttons on their garments that are made from nuts from the Cotswolds.
Onesta’s packaging is home compostable and the swing tags are made from wildflower seeds, so you can plant them and watch them grow!
Ms Diana said Onesta was striving to make a positive impact, with a commitment to donate 2% of every sale to three charities in animal welfare, environmental action and creating a more transparent fashion industry.
Marie Claire fashion editor Penny Goldstone said: “For such a young company it has achieved a lot, especially when it comes to giving back to its community in South Wales, creating jobs where they have previously been outsourced abroad.”
Ms Diana says she plans to continue Onesta’s sustainable plans with an aim to become fully zero-waste, use more innovative processes, provide more opportunities locally for jobs and working alongside more charities and organisations.
