It’s ironic of course that Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban all cater to more progressive minded shoppers, who love their globally “influenced” style and easygoing vibe. In the midst of various greenwashing techniques, they do partner with independent artists–just, I suppose, the ones they’re not stealing from. (And no, I’m not asserting that the exposure this provides for an artist is something one could or should consider turning down.)

A colorful blanket by sustainable home brand TBCo, available at wallflower.

Many of my peers know at least some of this to be true, but if it’s not Anthro’s captivating branding drawing them in, it’s this thought that there is definitively no other option for those who desire this so extremely coveted look. But given the fact that these brands succeed by ripping off other artists’ designs, I do know there indeed are options.

So, if you love Anthropologie home decor, but not their ethics, this post is for you. The caveat is that there currently isn’t one single marketplace to get all of the dreamy decor AND fashion Anthro fans love. But there are some that offer one or the other (and you can find the sustainable fashion alternatives here!), and other indie designers to fill in the gaps. So yeah, it’s definitely harder to curate, but it IS a worthy option, to choose three or four of these shops rather than the URBN empire.

Let’s begin with 10 ethical alternatives for Anthropologie home decor… 

Archive New York

Archive New York, who we’ve mentioned before as a great spot for conscious maximalist decor and ethically made rugs, is a beautiful stop for handwoven artisan home goods as well as vintage & market finds.

Antigua Pillow

White and Orange Kitchen Towel

wallflower

wallflower is a brand created by eco club founders Jennifer and Angela (me!). It’s a small online boutique dedicated to objects, makers, and spaces that inspire. Perhaps not everything (we’re a bit quirky and we love it!), but many of our home decor selections follow a similar aesthetic: artisan, playful, whimsical, and refined. (If you choose to visit our shop, thank you in advance!!!)

We have a collection of design-inspired coffee table books

As well as a selection of handmade and ethically sourced decor and tabletop goods such as these porcelain plates, woven table runner, and candle holders. Shop all here!

Baba Souk

Our next sustainable alternative to Anthropologie, Canada-based Baba Souk is a beautifully curated online store for Moroccan made decor and rugs, kids decor, art, and lots of lifestyle goodies that make great gifts. They’re totally the refined boho look that Anthro offers, except you know, authentic.

Terracotta Sabra Silk Cactus Pillow

Turquoise Sabra Silk Pillows – Handmade from Morocco

Goodee

Goodee is an inclusive global marketplace where good design and good purpose intersect. They have such a large selection that not all of it vibes with Anthro… but the fact that they do carry pretty much every category Anthro has when it comes to lifestyle & décor, makes it a great alternative.

Eperara Siapidara Set of Twelve PET Lamps

Pakurigo Basket – Natural

Pillowpia

New York based Pillowpia is a mecca of gorgeous, sustainable pillows and soft goods. With cozy neutrals accented by pinks, blues, and orange hues, you can achieve the Anthro look with a conscience. Recently they’ve expanded to offer tech accessories, beauty and self care, and clothing too.

Look at these gorgeous pastel pillows!

Besides the pillows, I’m also obsessed with these gorgeous placemats.

Koskela

Australia based Koskela is a quality homeware and furniture shop. Everything in their design-forward catalog is made in Australia. (Note, only the decor is available for international shipping, the larger items are available Australia-wide.) They’re certainly more high-end than many shops featured here, but feature original artwork and craftsmanship.

Minna Cartographer Pillow from Koskela

Better World Arts Cushion – Mitjili Napurrula from Koskela

Minzuu

Social enterprise Minzuu offers a gorgeous, extensive variety of globally inspired homewares from baskets and vases to bedding, bath, and entertaining. Their overall brand has a sophisticated, somewhat minimal look to it, so it doesn’t scream Anthropologie at first glance. But as you look through their selection, you find so many colors and textures to curate that sustainable, yet maximalist home. Learn all about their process on the Minzuu blog.

Minzuu Sunny Day Coasters

Side note: I wanted to mention that Minzuu and a handful of the other sustainable decor shops featured here carry baskets, pendants, and accessories like the coasters above from social enterprise Kazi Goods. They offer many accents that fit the Anthropologie look, and I love how the different shops curate from their selection. We even have a few of Kazi’s pieces on wallflower!

Plant Dyed Linen Table Runner

Pampa

Australian home decor brand Pampa is known for their textiles, rugs, and other sustainable goods. Their pieces are made by artisans in Argentina, and they ship worldwide. While they do carry some luxury pieces, a lot of their prices are comparable to Anthro, and even better if you consider how long each item will last.

Pampa Monte Pom Pom Cushion

Monte Bolster Pom Pom Pillow

Tribe

We came across Tribe Bohemian Home on Instagram right before writing our conscious maximalism home decor piece, and I think we just have to include them in every guide we write from here on out! Tribe is a curated collection of both US and internationally crafted goods made from sustainable and recycled materials in mesmerizing patterns, cozy textures, and playful colorways. New collections launch monthly so be sure to sign up for Sonal’s email list for updates!

Coral Pink Moroccan Floor Poufs

Faded Pink Moroccan Cactus Silk Pillow

Macrame Planter Set Black + Blush + Green

St Frank

St Frank is a design-driven luxury home goods brand featuring only artisan and ethically made goods. They’re on the pricier end of the companies featured here, but offer custom made decor and textiles, a vintage collection, one-of-a-kind objects, and a virtual styling service. Did I mention they offer wallpaper?!

St Frank Wallpaper

Blush Daisy Suzani Throw Pillow

Pink Diamond Huipil Lumbar Pillow

Where do you shop for ethically made home decor? I know there are plenty of bloggers with their own lists of sustainable alternatives to Anthropologie, but I felt many of them struggled a bit to match up the actual style of their products. Super important to the Anthro shopper, I know! I hope these provided a few new-to-you options.

For more ethical home goods, be sure to stop by the eco boutique! This page is a colorful, design-forward collection of products we’ve curated from independent brands, Etsy sellers, and other sustainable sources, updated monthly.

The post Love Anthropologie Home Décor? Try These Ethical & Sustainable Alternatives appeared first on Eco Club.

Featured above (left to right, top to bottom): helmstedt quilted jacket (fabric swatch left of orange dress) / neon double fan handmade earrings / mara hoffman spring 2020 / wray nyc / eco club member bel kazan lucy dress / oge ajibe dress / high waist linen pants / mara hoffman spring 2020 / celia b sunny dress / leroli positano campaign / soli & sun orange clutch

Pretty ain’t it? I know for me personally, being a lover of handmade (Etsy obsessed since 2008!) and passionate about living sustainably, I didn’t always feel this inspired by sustainable fashion. Don’t get me wrong, everything that came before us was necessary for the industry’s growth, but I think a lot of people felt the same, considering this explosion of sustainable fashion designers enamored with the experimental.

But what does conscious maximalism really mean? Is it just an affinity for a rainbow of color choices? To me, it’s more than that…

What Is Conscious Maximalism?

Color and print. Yes, colors and prints are a big deal to the conscious maximalist. It’s empowering to people who are drawn to creative expression through fashion, to see themselves reflected in sustainable clothing in a way that they wouldn’t have if there were only minimalist brands working in the space.

Intention. The ‘conscious’ element of this trend is important, and it’s this that distinguishes it from every other trend coined ‘maximalist’ that currently exists. Just like any aspect of green living, this means something to everyone. It can mean only purchasing upcycled or natural materials. It can mean getting to know the artist behind your pieces. It can mean doing a deeper dive to make sure the brand is committed to ethical production. Everyone has a different perspective, budget, and set of values they shop with, so this won’t be the same across the board.

Abundance. Conscious maximalism is the abundance mindset of the design world. You know how much we love and support low-waste living here, so this isn’t to say minimalism doesn’t have its place. But I think in order for more people to fall in love with with sustainable living, they need to know they don’t have to feel a sense of lack within the space. Rather, that there is endless opportunity to support companies and designers they love and contribute in their own creative way. Also, let’s be real, fashion IS an art form to many of us; our closets house our collection, so not everyone is on board with a 5-garment wardrobe. An abundance mindset is a very empowering one to have when talking something as heavy as, you know, destroying the planet, and exploiting humans.

Inclusivity. I’ve noticed that many brands that fall into this category endeavor to be more inclusive with the sizing and accessibility of their garments. (Not everyone of course, and I do know plenty of basics brands that have this down!) There are also many price points within conscious maximalism, and it’s not just high end vs mass market. And where else in fashion do you see such killer mixing of secondhand and vintage with the new? And does it not make the perfect complement to your minimalist essentials? To me it just seems like a very welcoming, we’ve got something for everyone, kind of space.

Have you noticed conscious maximalism as a sustainable fashion trend? Is this more up your alley than minimalism?

The post This New Sustainable Fashion Trend is Way More Fun Than Minimalism appeared first on Eco Club.