Live Frankly

The one stop directory to living ethically.

  • 0 Items
  • Food
  • Fashion
  • Beauty & Wellbeing
  • Articles
  • About
    • About Us
    • Work with us
Primary
  • 0 Items
  • Food
  • Fashion
  • Beauty & Wellbeing
  • Articles
  • About
    • About Us
    • Work with us
  • Browse Categories
      • 4Beauty
      • 26Fashion
      • 40Food

The Level Collective

  • What:

    British-made products made in collaboration with independent factories and artisans
  • Why:

    Because you need products to take you from commute to countryside at the click of your fingers
  • Where:

    UK
  • Find out more :

The Level Collective: What is it?

As the name implies, The Level Collective is a brand that’s all about balance: gear that works for both city and great outdoors; products that work hard and look good; and above all, items that are fair to others and have a minimal impact on the planet – all of which are causes we can get on board with.

The company was set up by founder and designer Mark Musgrave, who hunts out collectives and craftsmen to collaborate with on his products. The waxed organic cotton backpacks are a particular hit – hardy and handsome, they’ll take from commute to countryside without a bat of an eyelid. Think Finisterre and Patagonia levels of cool, but made by a small British brand.

As you’ll read below, Musgrave goes above and beyond to make sure he’s doing the best he can for people and planet – and on top of that, he donates money to charities directly, including the Waves project in Cornwall that provides surfing lessons for vulnerable children from disadvantaged background.

The Level Collective: How sustainable is it?

It’s undeniable that every single one of The Level Collective’s products looks beautiful – but that’s in part down to simple designs that showcase brilliant materials and craftsmanship.

90% of the brand’s products are made from either GOTS certified organic cotton grown in India or are non-mulesed British or Spanish merino wool. The sanded twill used in the backpack lining is woven in the UK (the cotton, grown in India is currently not organic, but founder Mark Musgrave is seeking organic alternatives). The organic cotton t-shirts are printed with GOTS-certified water-based inks.

Any leather products are made from non-chromium vegetable tanned leather sourced in Spain as a byproduct of the meat industry – it’s much more durable and biodegradable in comparison to vegan ‘leathers’.

And as for the packaging – well, that’s made out of 100% recyclable kraft paper packaging, too. See, we told you every last detail had been thought of.

The Level Collective: Who makes it?

Most of the makers Musgrave works with in the UK to make the backpacks and wallets are small businesses that don’t have certification, but all the screen-printed items are made in FairWear Foundation-approved factories.

Musgrave visits the factories and studios of most of the makers he works with at least once a year. T-shirts and sweaters are sourced from Stanley Stella because they have high ethical and environmental standards, meeting the FairWear Foundation criteria.

He also collaborates with a variety of artists and makers across different minority groups, and makes sure the models used to showcase his products are diverse and representative.

And the icing on the cake: The Level Collective’s Big Bob beanie hats are made by a social enterprise called Dece Clothing in Romania that trains women in disadvantaged Roma communities how to hand crochet beanie hats and earn a living to support their families and move out of a cycle of poverty.

thelevelcollective.com

RELATED LISTINGS:

People Tree

People Tree is one of the OGs of ethical fashion, and its collections have stood the test of time thanks to their contemporary style

read more :
Valentina Karellas | ethical knitwear

Valentina Karellas

Independent London-based brand Valentina Karellas uses unloved yarns to create much-loved unique, handmade knitwear

read more :
Yala Jewellery | Ortum Orbit Bracelet

Yala Jewellery

Beautiful African-inspired sustainable modern jewellery, creating financial opportunities for artisans in Kenya.

read more :
Gung Ho fashion | jumpsuit | Agata Kocon

Gung Ho London

Environmental issues lie at the core of this brilliantly creative and brilliantly ethical fashion brand, where bright, bold prints reign supreme

read more :
Clothes Rail | 69B

69b Boutique

69b Boutique is a one-stop bricks-and-mortar shop on East London's Broadway Market, selling stylish, sustainable clothing

read more :
See Me | ethically made jewellery

See Me jewellery

See Me's bold jewellery is made by women who have survived violence, teaching them vital skills to support their families

read more :
Project Cece Brand Brava Fabrics

Project Cece

Europe's largest fashion marketplace proving sustainable clothing can be easy, fun and not break the bank

read more :

RELATED ARTICLES:

Fashion

Primark ethics: is Primark actually worse than other high street shops?

read more :

Fashion

How to buy ethical clothing: 10 simple steps to owning a stylish and sustainable wardrobe

read more :

Fashion

View from the inside: How sustainable fashion choices help change the world

read more :
Living wage myth | Person holding sign that ays: I made Uniqlo clothes and I wasn't paid

Fashion

The living wage myth: global fashion brands continue to profit from poverty pay

read more :
Coronavirus and the fashion industry | Jeans Factory in Cambodia

Fashion

Coronavirus and the fashion industry: what you need to know

read more :
Breaking Fashion promo shot

Fashion

Breaking Fashion: why the BBC documentary is breaking our hearts

read more :
Sarah Ditty talking at Fashion Revolution Week 2019

Fashion

Fashion Transparency Index: everything you need to know

read more :

Fashion

View from the inside: The power of positive fashion

read more :
Vildnis | Redwoords dress

Fashion

Ethical women’s clothing: where to shop in the UK

read more :
Gung Ho Climate Sweatshirt

Fashion

View from the inside: Gung Ho’s new climate change collection

read more :
Copyright Live Frankly © 2021. All Rights Reserved
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Sign up to our newsletter

Get the latest content first.

Login

Lost your password?