Inés Vieira knows the fashion world inside and out, having worked in marketing and for a large fast fashion brand in the past. But her experiences left her feeling uninspired. She didn’t like the way things were made, the materials that were used, and the amount of resulting waste.

Inés asked how she could use her love of fashion to improve the planet, and Norte Women was born. The Spanish-born designer launched the brand in 2018 and hasn’t looked back, sourcing naturally occurring fabrics, producing small runs to ensure every item will be considered conscientiously, and using packaging that incorporates recycled and recyclable content.

She also visits the factories that produce Norte Women because for Inés, sustainability is as much about fostering positive relationships with everyone the brand touches as it is about maintaining the planet.