Creating a sustainable brand in a fast-fashion and disposable world today is quite a challenge, although it’s now being seen more often than ever.

We’ve been promoting our products using the words “sustainable” several times. But what does it actually mean?

“adj. In ecology and economy particularly, something that can be maintained long-term without exhausting natural resources or without causing severe harm to the environment. Development, sustainable economy.” – ESGOA 

Here are some steps which we take to target a sustainable business:

1. Use of Materials

We only use genuine bovine leather for our handbags to ensure a long lifespan and to create an excellent quality product. Despite veganism becoming such a huge trend, the meat industry is growing by the day, so using the skins of the cows to produce sustainable and durable products would be the logical next step. If you’d like to read more about bovine leather vs. patent leather, you can follow this link to my previous blog post - here. 

2. Timeless Designs

We design our handbags to be timeless, ensuring a long lifespan throughout all seasons and trends, outliving the fast-fashion world.

Buying a leather handbag should be an investment. We are so quick to forget about the true value of a product in today’s spoiled world where a patent handbag can be bought for as little as R 350.00.

3. Manufacturing

Now here is a topic which should stand on its own. (Blog Post probably coming soon)

Although 90% of the things we wear and use in our every-day lives are manufactured in China, we still have this idea that Chinese products are of low cost, low quality and unethical. China is making a massive shift in their manufacturing, and this couldn’t have been stated better than by Dan Santra (2016) - “China’s economy is transitioning to a “new normal” of higher labour costs, lower growth, increasing competition, and changing demographics.” Link Here.

We ensure our products are professionally handled, ethically manufactured and the workers are paid fair wages.

With sustainability, transparency comes hand in hand. By being a sustainable brand, we need to gain the trust of our customers, and therefore we offer our transparency throughout the business.

BUT, we can only reach our goal that much by changing our business model. We are urging you as consumers and trend-setters to follow through with the slow-fashion lifestyle. Here are some tips that you can bring in to your every-day life to ensure sustainability:

1. Invest in quality

To invest in quality products, will cause a longer life span of that item, decreasing the sales and avoiding clothing which was worn only once or twice to end up in landfills.

2. Rework old garments

By re-working old garments, taking them to your local tailor or Grandma who can still sew, gives that garment an extra few years to live and not just sit in your cupboard.

3. Second-hand Shopping

Although this is not for everyone, it is a way of upcycling old garments which is still in perfectly good condition.

4. Support Local

Support local designed or manufactured brands. Even though products might be outsourced, local brands still employ people and create a local network.

5.Support Eco-Conscious brands

Eco-Conscious brands does not only have to involve handbags or clothing but can be anything. One of my favorite apps is called “Good on You” where you can view how Eco-friendly and sustainable the brands are that you associate with and supporting on a daily basis. Link to App here. 

Sustainability is a growing process, there’s no quick way to implement it on a starting business, but we therefore have clear goals in mind to create the perfect sustainable fashion brand in good time.