Sustainability: where do we stand today?

Sustainability is a hot topic, and it has every right to be so. As one of the most polluting sectors, the fashion industry is indebted to itself to reflect on this and reduce its impact on the environment.

Major changes in scale take time and as a small player we are also bound by what our suppliers do or do not do. Still, we try to increase the pressure on our suppliers and take more steps in the right direction every season.

In order to be as transparent as possible about this, we would like to tell you what we are doing so far.

Belgian knitwear

In her choice of fabrics, the Antwerp-based designer tries to integrate more sustainable fabrics in her collection with each season. Besides the ecological aspect of the fabrics (like the EcoVero certified label), comfort is also very important. The fabrics need to feel good against the skin, be durable so that you can enjoy them for a long time and be easy to care for. She designs for women with busy lives who don't have time to go to the dry cleaner’s every week. Fewer items in your closet that you can carry for a long time is also a way to consume less and limit your ecological footprint.

EcoVero-branded viscose is now a mainstay of the collection. This is an accredited quality label for viscose from renewable sources that is manufactured in an environmentally sustainable manner. On the webshop you will always find in the description whether the piece is from EcoVero. You can see this on the paper tag in the shop.

all prints with the EcoVero label

Tencel has now found its way into the summer collection as well. Tencel is the brand name for lyocell fibre, which comes from eucalyptus trees. The closed-loop production process is less polluting compared with other natural materials, such as cotton, and requires far less water. Moreover, Tencel is also very strong , soft and skin-friendly. That was all it took to convince Nathalie Vleeschouwer! The collection features fine, floaty Tencel fabrics as well as durable Tencel denim.

overshirt of the men collection in Tencel, shirt in EcoVero print

Nathalie Vleeschouwer continues to be committed to local production. Although the collection has since expanded and sales are much higher than they were when the women's collection was first launched 10 years ago, Nathalie Vleeschouwer still manages to keep about 50% of production in Belgium. This in both knitwear and ready-to-wear. Local production is not only good because less transport is required. It is also good for local employment and the economy. You will always find the origin in the washing label and we try to communicate this as clearly as possible online.

For the remainder of her production, she works with reliable, mainly European partners with whom she builds long-term relationships based on sustainable cooperation, transparency and mutual trust.

Nathalie in the Antwerp based workshop

We aspire to be able to take more steps every season. There is still a long way to go, but every step counts!

We question ourselves every season and are actively looking for ways to make our collection, stores and company more sustainable.

We would also like to hear what you expect from us.

What do you, our customers, find realty important when it comes to sustainability?

Do you have any ideas or suggestions yourself?

Let us know in a comment below!