Choosing sustainable clothing in Brussels shouldn't be a complicated search. At Appart17, we don't define ourselves as an activist boutique — first and foremost, we are a fashion boutique that curates with care. And among the criteria guiding our choices, the strength of a brand's commitments matters just as much as the aesthetics of a piece. Here are three brands we carry with conviction, each for concrete and verifiable reasons.
Our approach: curation as a responsible act
Ethical fashion in Belgium sometimes suffers from an excess of rhetoric and a lack of reality. Labels are brandished, "global approaches" are discussed, and breaks with the industry are promised — and the consumer ends up not knowing what to believe. Our position is different: we don't claim to revolutionize fashion; we choose brands that do solid, measurable, repeatable things.
What we look at concretely: the materials used, the manufacturing processes, the durability of the pieces over time, and the coherence between a brand's message and its collections. These are demanding criteria, not ideological ones. And they are what led us, naturally, to work with FAGUO, Rains, and Selected.
FAGUO: circularity, not just a concept
Founded in France in 2009, FAGUO built its identity around a simple idea: produce less, but better, by using recycled materials and limiting emissions at every stage of the production chain. This isn't a recent positioning adopted to follow a trend — it has been the very foundation of the brand since its inception.
What convinces us about FAGUO is the clarity of their approach. Each piece clearly indicates its composition, its origin, and the carbon impact associated with its manufacture. The sneakers incorporate post-consumer recycled materials. The clothing follows the same guiding principle: clean cuts, sustainable colors in the literal sense — shades that don't go out of style in a single season — and construction designed to last.
For responsible brands in Brussels, FAGUO represents exactly what we seek to offer: fashion that doesn't require a trade-off between style and conscience. Discover the pieces available in our FAGUO selection at Appart17.
Rains: longevity as a design philosophy
Talking about sustainable fashion in a concept store often implies distinguishing between two types of commitment: those concerning manufacturing, and those concerning usage. Rains is firmly part of the latter category — without ignoring the former.
The Danish brand has built its reputation on raincoats and accessories designed to last for years, not seasons. Rains' business model relies in part on this promise of longevity: a piece bought from Rains is not intended to be replaced the following year. It is an anti-fast fashion approach in practice, regardless of labels and certifications.
Their use of recycled waterproof materials in several lines of the collection completes this vision. But above all, it is the coherence between the clean design, the robustness of the construction, and the price point positioned for the medium-to-long term that justifies our choice to include them in our selection. A Rains raincoat bought today is intended to accompany you well beyond this season. Our Rains selection at Appart17 covers the brand's essential pieces, from jackets to bags.
Selected: responsible lines integrated into a global collection
Selected is a well-established Scandinavian brand, appreciated for its contemporary cuts and versatility. What is less often highlighted is the work the brand does on its sustainable lines: pieces designed with certified materials (GOTS organic cotton, recycled fibers, traced linen), integrated directly into regular collections rather than an isolated "eco" range.
This approach seems more honest to us than the green sub-label strategy: when a brand integrates its commitments into the heart of its collection, it fully owns them rather than relegating them to a marketing angle. The Selected pieces we choose at Appart17 follow this logic — structured basics, mastered cuts, and materials that justify the price.
Whether you are looking for pieces for her or for him, our Selected Femme and Selected Homme selections reflect this balance between contemporary aesthetics and thoughtful manufacturing.
What this changes, concretely
The question we are often asked is simple: does choosing these brands cost more? The honest answer is: sometimes yes, at the time of purchase. But the calculation changes when you factor in the real durability of the pieces, the frequency of replacement, and the coherence of your wardrobe over several years. This isn't morality — it's arithmetic.
At Appart17, our role as a fashion concept store in Brussels places us precisely here: between the discovery of new brands and guidance toward choices that stand the test of time. We don't claim to have the answer to everything. We have simply made choices — and we stand by them.
Find our full selection at appart17.be or come discover our pieces in our three shops at Rue des Grands Carmes 11, 15 and 17 in Brussels.
