Tucked into the south corner of Bell Street, Ostara Life brings St Andrews a curated mix of fashionable pieces from knitwear to jewellery. The shop is committed to ethical and sustainable clothing and, befitting its progressive goals, is named after a goddess of the spring equinox and new beginnings.
When the time for a summer job hunt came around, I recalled admiring their earring and jumper selection and made sure to stop in. Since then, I’ve begun working at the shop part-time and have been given an inside look into the owner, Mariela’s, sustainable mission. Along with style, Ostara aims to make ethical and eco-friendly clothing accessible to our St. Andrews community.
On a global scale, the fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to pollution. From chemical and carbon byproducts to plastic waste and water consumption, the industry checks nearly every box of environmental damage. Additionally, recent investigations into fast-fashion conglomerates have highlighted shocking ethical violations in clothing manufacturing. Companies take advantage of financial desperation, requiring employees to work for insufficient pay in inhumane conditions. The public has called for change, but corporations repeatedly display apathy towards the suffering they profit from.
In response to these concerns, many family businesses and up-and-coming companies have committed to producing products made ethically and with minimal environmental impact. However, sustainable clothing is often inaccessible, with some brands strictly available online or priced higher than the average consumer can afford. Thus, Ostara Life’s mission of bringing sustainable and ethical fashion to St. Andrews not only paves the way for a future of guilt-free consumerism and uplifts companies with honourable standards, but also makes responsible fashion accessible to our local community. Furthermore, Ostara Life’s products demonstrate that following trends, establishing a unique personal style, and being overall fashionable are compatible with a sustainable lifestyle. From Black Yak’s ethical knits and Lefrik’s innovatively recycled bags, to Vurchoo’s jewelry for charity, the brands sold in Ostara are great options for responsible shoppers. Here are some great brands to look for next time you’re in the shop!
Ethical Production
A great option if you’re looking for jumpers or other winterwear, Black Yak is recognised by the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers (BAFTS) and specialises in woollen pieces hand-woven by artisans in Nepal. The pieces carried in Ostara are perfect for chillier days of St. Andrews weather, from warm hats and scarves to cozy jumpers. They also sell the cutest woollen animal key chains and ornaments!
Ostara carries scarves by One Hundred Stars, a family business that uses recycled clothing, organic fibres, and dyes. All of One Hundred Star’s garments are made ethically in India. This company embodies humane fashion, demonstrating that ethical fashion is attainable: companies can recycle, use sustainable materials, and treat people kindly, all the while making stylish clothing and a profit!
Since 1968, Saddler has committed to selling ethical leather goods. The company sources all material from food-industry byproducts, minimising animal harm, ensuring ethical work conditions, and regulating its water and energy consumption. This initiative even carries into the product transport process. Saddler is mindful of the environmental impact of transporting products and chooses routes to reduce harmful emissions. Ostara carries a variety of their bags, from larger handbags to change purses.
Fashion for a Cause
100% of Paperchain’s profits go to supporting disadvantaged communities in Uganda through funding education for children and feeding families. Their jewellery is as stylish as it is unique. With neutral-coloured beads and accents such as coins and shells, Ostara is the perfect everyday piece you won’t find elsewhere. Plus, supporting a cause adds value to the purchase.
Vurchoo’s designs are inspired by children’s drawings from the schools they partner with. In addition to their ethical material sourcing and production processes, Vurchoo donates 10-20% of profits to schools globally, improving children’s access to education. The company partners with the charity Teach a Man to Fish.
Recycled Materials
Plastic waste is increasingly relevant as a global concern, clogging oceans and harming wildlife. Lefrik uses plastic waste to create a range of bags and miscellaneous products, of which Ostara features their backpacks and handbags, as well as a water bottle.
As human rights and environmental impacts are important for any contemporary consumer to consider, shops like Ostara model a better future for fashion, one that merges sustainability, humanitarianism, and accessibility. Ostara allows the local St Andrews community to enjoy casual weekend shopping trips with friends, while being considerate of our wider environment and global community. So, next time you’re wandering our three streets hoping to buy a friend a gift or manage stress with a quick shopping spree, head to Ostara and take a look at the many sustainable and ethical pieces from these brands, among many others!