The Netherlands may not be your initial thought when it comes to fashion, but it is a big player in sustainable fashion innovations. Dutch designers have a long history of pushing the boundaries with distinctive and daring collections. Names like Victor & Rolf and Iris van Herpen have gained international recognition for their creations.
What sets Dutch fashion apart is its commitment to sustainability and circularity. Designers here are at the forefront of redefining fashion by using new sustainable production methods and materials. They demonstrate that Dutch fashion is about more than just style; it’s a force for positive change in the industry.
So, in this blog post, we will discuss five sustainable brands from the Netherlands.
Mochi
In 2013, Palestinian designer Ayah Tabari established fashion brand Mochi in Amsterdam. The brand was born out of Ayah’s love for vibrant colors, beautiful fabrics, and traditional methods of embroidery.
Mochi’s mission is to offer accessible, avant-garde, sustainably-made clothes for the everyday women.
Mochi’s Commitment
Mochi‘s core philosophy centers around changing how people think about shopping and what they buy. By focusing on a few key principles, Mochi takes significant steps to make a difference in the fashion world. Their “Responsible” ethos entails reusing and upcycling dead stock fabrics to create timeless, high-quality pieces, minimizing waste, and encouraging consumers to invest in pieces designed to last.
The brand’s “Circular” approach is evident in its continued use of dead stock fabrics and limited edition pieces, ensuring a circular approach to fashion. By working with manufacturers specialized in producing smaller quantities, Mochi chooses to produce less, resulting in high-quality, long-lasting pieces that transcend seasonal trends. Mochi releases collections when ready, promoting the idea that their timeless pieces can be worn year-round.
Mochi‘s sustainability efforts extend beyond the environment to people, emphasizing empowerment and positive impact. They create jobs and support artisans, ensuring fair and safe working conditions for all suppliers.
Mochi also supports social and political causes through exclusive products like the “La Mochi Vita” collection, raising funds for important initiatives.
Mochi acknowledges that their sustainability journey is ongoing, and they are committed to improving. They actively seek more sustainable materials and collaborate with suppliers to reduce water usage in the supply chain. They’re also working on offering less-in-demand sizes on pre-order to minimize overproduction and increase size inclusivity.
Moreover, Mochi has plans to launch a rental service, encouraging consumers to borrow their favorite pieces reducing the need for excessive purchasing.
In addition, the brand has introduced a clothing recycling box where customers can drop off unwanted items, which Mochi then transforms into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces instead of contributing to landfill waste.
Price Range: €30 – €555
On Good On You, Mochi receives the rating “Good“.
Interested in Mochi? Please visit their website or take a look at their Instagram (@allthingsmochi)
Goat Organic Apparel
Fashion brand Goat was founded by twins Abigail and Lavina Bakker. The brand was built after the twins could not find a sustainable, organic, AND affordable white t-shirt. So, to solve the problem, the twins decided to create one themselves.
The motto of Goat is, “Sustainability is not sustainable if it is not accessible”. Therefore, the brand strives to have an appealing collection, sourced honestly and priced affordably.
Goat's Sustainability
In a world where fashion often prioritizes speed and overlooks the individuals behind the scenes, Goat Organic Apparel emerges as a champion of ethical practices. Central to their mission is the belief that the people who create their garments deserve recognition and respect. Through a production partner, Goat ensures the highest standards for workers’ safety and fair treatment.
Goat extends its commitment to sustainability to the environment, mainly through its use of organic cotton in their apparel. This dedication ensures no toxic chemicals or artificial additives are used in the farming process, safeguarding soil health, ecosystems, and the well-being of those involved. Their organic cotton is sourced from GOTS and OCS-certified plants in India.
To further their sustainability efforts, some of Goat‘s sweaters are made with recycled polyester from China. This choice enhances product quality and durability while reducing the environmental impact. Recycled polyester generates roughly 75% less CO2 emissions than virgin polyester and lessens the demand for new petroleum extraction.
Goat‘s commitment to affordability is as unwavering as their commitment to ethics. They understand the importance of making sustainable choices accessible to all. By eliminating the middleman and selling directly to customers, Goat offers organic basic T-shirts at €24,95, making sustainability more attainable. While the brand may explore retail options in the future, it pledges to maintain accessible pricing.
Goat Organic Apparel also embraces a commitment to veganism, putting the welfare of animals at the forefront of their brand. As a result, every Goat product is 100% vegan, avoiding animal materials.
Price Range: €24,95 – €99,95
Goat Organic Apparel scores a “Good” rating on Good On You.
Interested? Please visit Goat Organic Apparel’s website or look at their Instagram (@goat.organic.apperel)
Unrobe
Fashion brand Unrobe was founded by Daan Ubachs. For over twelve years, he worked in product development and buying in the fashion industry, primarily in Asia. Here, he saw many problems in the fashion industry happening in front of his eyes. Therefore, he decided a change was needed, and after he moved back to the Netherlands, he started Unrobe.
The name “Unrobe” embodies their mission: dressing people by undressing the industry. Their core values place sustainability at the heart of their business, echoing the love they share for our planet.
The Sustainability Initiatives of Unrobe
Unrobe firmly believes in inspiring individuals and businesses to become agents of change in a fashion industry dominated by unsustainable practices.
Unrobe‘s dedication to sustainability is shown through its materials. They use only organic cotton and recycled materials. Their factory carries a GOTS certification, assuring a supply chain that is sustainable and ethical, from the farmer growing the crops to the production of the final products. In addition, the brand is committed to cruelty-free and sustainable practices.
Moreover, Unrobe has a circular laundry and dye house, where all wastewater is meticulously filtered and returned to the Portuguese water system, ensuring no negative environmental impact from their processes.
To ensure that there is no overproduction for Unrobe, all of their collections have limited availability. The brand only produces what it sells. This way, no products are sent to landfill, and their consumers receive a product specifically made for them. In addition, Unrobe has pledged to repair any defects in the Unrobe garments, effectively expanding the lifespan of each piece and reinforcing their guarantee of quality.
To minimize its CO2 footprint, Unrobe is producing close to its target market. Bypassing the need for boats and planes, the brand solely relies on trucks for transport.
Last, their factory holds an SA 8000 certification, reflecting their commitment to social accountability. This system ensures a safe working environment for employees, living wages, and reasonable working hours. It honors ethical and sustainable practices that benefit workers and the community.
Price Range: €55 – €119,90
On Good On You, Unrobe receives a score of “Great”, the highest score a brand can achieve.
Interested? Please visit Unrobe’s website or take a look at their Instagram (@unrobe_com)
Kings of Indigo
In 2011, in the heart of Amsterdam, the Fashion brand Kings Of Indigo was founded.
Crafting Sustainability Through Five Pillars
Kings Of Indigo is committed to ongoing innovation in materials and production methods. The brand’s sustainability ethos is built upon the foundation of its Five Pillars of Sustainability.
Less water
Water is an important aspect of their sustainability journey. The brand offers garments treated with technologies like Polygiene® and LABFRESH, which reduce the need for frequent washing and conserve water, energy, and time. In addition, Kings Of Indigo has incorporated Jeanologia’s EIM (Environmental Impact Measuring) technology into their production process. This innovation assesses the environmental impact of garments’ finishing processes and assigns a score from low to high.
Waste conscious
Waste consciousness is a core principle, and Kings Of Indigo actively advocates for repair, recycling, and reuse. About 20% of their apparel is made from 100% recycled materials, and they actively encourage customers to cherish their garments and repair them when necessary.
Recycling stands at the forefront of their sustainability journey. Kings Of Indigo is moving towards a collection made entirely from 100% recycled materials, saving water and reducing CO2 emissions.
To involve consumers in their mission, Kings Of Indigo organizes the “Reuse The Blues” competition, where old stock jeans and trims are sent to creative individuals for transformation.
Responsible production
Responsible production holds a pivotal role in Kings Of Indigo‘s sustainability strategy. All their factories adhere to social compliance standards, emphasizing long-term relationships with carefully selected suppliers. Their updated Code of Conduct aligns with international standards, ensuring respect and care for workers.
Clean transport
To reduce their carbon footprint, Kings Of Indigo sources products closer to home, minimizing unnecessary transportation. They bundle packages and collaborate with shipping partners who invest in sustainable projects, reducing shipping costs and emissions. Kings Of Indigo only use boats and trucks to transport their products.
Sustainable materials
Kings Of Indigo‘s collection is made of sustainable materials, with over 99% of its products embracing eco-friendly resources. From organic and recycled materials to natural and vegan fabrics, Kings Of Indigo continually seeks alternatives to reduce their reliance on virgin synthetic materials.
Future goals
Beyond their current achievements, Kings Of Indigo has set ambitious goals for the future, further solidifying their commitment to sustainability.
By 2023, the brand aims to achieve complete transparency throughout its supply chain. They also plan to provide Environmental Impact Measure (EIM) scores for all their denim by the same year, offering consumers deeper insights into the environmental impact of their clothing.
By 2025, Kings Of Indigo envisions their collections exclusively made from recycled and/or natural fibers, pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion.
Price Range: €50 – €199,99
On Good On You, Kings of Indigo receives an overall rating of “Good”.
Interested? Please visit their website or take a look at their Instagram (@kingsofindigo)
Kuyichi
In 2000, Kuyichi was founded as one of the first-ever sustainable fashion brands. It all began when one of the founders visited the cotton fields of Peru. The reality of the cotton industry’s impact on local farmers and the environment shocked the founder.
They decided that change was necessary in the cotton industry. To do this, they started the fashion brand Kuyuchi with the mission: to initiate transformation from within the world of fashion, to inspire others to embrace sustainable cotton practices, and to empower individuals with the choice of a more sustainable yet undeniably stylish alternative.
The brand is named after the Peruvian God of rainbows, who brings color and positivity to the world.
Kuyichi's Dedication to Sustainability
Kuyichi is renowned for its unwavering dedication to sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices. Since its beginning, the brand has remained steadfast in its mission to create timeless products that not only defy ever-changing fashion trends but also endure the test of time.
Pure materials
Kuyuchi uses a wide range of sustainable products in their products.
The brand prioritizes using certified organic cotton throughout its entire product range, promoting ecological balance and benefiting both the environment and local communities. Additionally, they actively support farmers transitioning to organic cotton cultivation through their ‘Cotton in Conversion’ initiative.
The brand places significant emphasis on incorporating recycled materials into its denim fabrics, effectively reducing water, energy, and chemical consumption. Furthermore, they embrace Post-Consumer Recycled Cotton, contributing to waste reduction in the fashion industry and the conservation of valuable resources.
Kuyichi highly values eco-friendly materials such as TENCEL™, Lyocell, and Modal. Kuyichi also uses TENCEL™ X REFIBRA™ technology, which upcycles cotton scraps and minimizes waste generation.
In addition to their commitment to organic cotton, Kuyichi extends their dedication to pure materials to include linen, hemp, and recycled polyester. They exclusively use vegetable-tanned leather and vegan patches, demonstrating their commitment to cruelty-free practices.
Pure Production
Kuyichi‘s commitment to pure production goes beyond materials. They believe that transparency is the first step toward a sustainable supply chain. The brand takes pride in working closely with every partner, explicitly naming and explaining all of their suppliers on their website.
Their continuous efforts to ensure low-impact washes involve various techniques, including laser, ozone, and e-flow machines, and substituting harmful chemicals for better, environmentally friendly options. These efforts result in sustainable denim washes that align with their eco-conscious values.
Kuyichi extends its water-saving techniques to its dyeing processes, where suppliers limit water consumption and ensure wastewater is cleaned, filtered, and recycled as much as possible. The brand’s commitment to undyed denim items reflects its dedication to minimizing environmental impact.
Environmental Impact Measuring is an integral part of Kuyichi‘s approach, allowing them to calculate the precise water, energy, chemicals, and worker impact of their products. This commitment to transparency is detailed in their sustainability report.
By signing the Transparency Pledge and contributing to the Open Apparel Registry, Kuyichi aims to spark collaboration and foster better working conditions among brands and NGOs. Their commitment to pure production is a holistic approach that creates a positive impact at every stage of their supply chain.
Price Range: €45 – €140
On Good On You, Kuyichi receives the rating of “Good”.
Interested? Please visit their website or take a look at their Instagram (@kuyichipuregood)
Previous Post
- Nipples and Climate Change: The Sustainability Initiatives of SKIMS
- Non-profit Fashion: Alabama Chanin, Patagonia, and Ten Thousand Villages
- Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands
Or read my previous post on sustainable brands from the Netherlands: 5 Ethical and Sustainable Brands Based in Holland
Sources
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