Let's talk about
sustainability
We are aware of the impact that our industry can have on the environment, and the responsibility that we all share to operate in a sustainable way. We are working hard internally to make changes wherever possible to reduce our environmental footprint, and the impact our production has on the lives of others. As a result, we have highlighted priority areas where we can make the biggest difference - a starting point on our journey of sustainability.
In our assessment, production and waste are the areas where we can make a meaningful difference. We will begin our journey by looking at how we can improve our offering of the most eco-friendly fabrics as well as reducing any unnecessary waste. Team work makes the dream work, so we want to involve our sisterhood in part of this journey by making information readily available and implementing an initiative to tackle wardrobe waste. Vast amounts of unwanted clothing are thrown away each year, most of which end up in landfills instead of reaching communities that would benefit from donations. This is something we are keen to address but need a little help from our sisters!
Whilst we are making changes to address these issues, this is not something that we are approaching as a tick box exercise, nor are we willing to merely latch onto current buzzwords. We are tackling this one step at a time by carefully investigating, never settling, always improving and always remaining open and honest about our progress. It is a process that we will continue to develop, and we are excited to include our sisterhood on this journey.
Discover more about where our journey starts below...
"Perfect is never good enough"
Our mantra is that perfect is never good enough. We are constantly reviewing our processes and raising the bar higher so that we can evolve and be the best that we can be. Priority areas that we will continue to develop include reducing waste and the use of plastic, using sustainable fabrics and conducting thorough chemical testing.
Waste not want not
Let’s talk waste; the unglamorous deposit of a glamorous industry. But waste is a subjective definition. After all, one man’s waste is another man’s gold, and we strongly believe that every pre-loved piece can find a happy new home. That’s why we are going to be launching an exciting recycling scheme, that aims to give a practical solution to your wardrobe clear-outs!
Whilst preloved clothing is one issue, there’s also an industry-wide issue of overproduction and the disposal of unsold stock.With trends evolving faster than ever, most of the industry struggle to effectively forecast customer demand, often resulting in brands overproducing.
However, our approach is unique.Since the beginning, we have developed processes that allow us to produce our collections more quickly and efficiently than most, so that we can perfectly match production and demand. From this approach, we continue to keep our overstock waste as 0. This is very uncommon in the industry and an achievement that we are immensely proud of
The right chemistry
We want our garments to be beautiful on the outside and gentle on the inside, so we vigorously test them to make sure they have the right chemistry. We maintain a list of restricted substances which we regularly update to make sure that the components of the fabrics we use are kind both on the body and to the environment.
A material world
We use a range of materials in our collections including Polyester, Viscose and Cotton. We are conscious that the environmental impact of these materials is higher than alternatives, which is why our design team is working to increase the use of more eco-friendly options in our garments such as Lyocell and Linen, while also prioritising polyester from recycled materials.
Whilst we want to increase the mix of eco-friendly alternatives, we don’t want to settle for the lesser of two evils. Therefore, we are keen to research all alternatives thoroughly before use to ensure that they meet the highest of sustainability standards.
The Plastic problem
We recognise that plastic pollution is a huge problem effecting our planet and we’re committed to doing our part to tackle it. That’s why, across our business, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our plastic usage and make our processes more sustainable. We’ve made a big step forward by updating our plastic polybags, which are now made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable! Plus, we’ve switched the string attachments on our tags from plastic to 100% cotton. We’re continually exploring innovative packaging solutions to minimize waste even further.
"Kindness is the key to success"
In a world where technology and automation are fast replacing production tasks performed by humans, fashion is still largely handmade. People are at the centre of our processes, from muses that inspire initial designs to the skilful hands that make them, and our loyal sisterhood who choose to wear them. It is therefore important to us that all involved in the process are taken care of and treated with kindness and respect.
BEHIND THE SEAMS
We regularly visit the factories that produce our collections in China and conduct internal audits. We want to ensure that the skilled people making our clothing are working under good conditions. Therefore, this audit focuses on 9 different areas: child labour, forced labour, health and safety, freedom of association, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours compensation and environmental protection.
Caring For Sisterhood
Our customers are at the heart of everything that we do; they inspire us and drive our world forward. We therefore want to remain open and honest about everything we do and create high quality designs that are produced conscientiously, without unnecessarily harming the environment.
DREAM WORK AND TEAM WORK
Our employees make the Sister Jane world go round. We treat all of our employees in a respectful and fair way, offering benefits and collaborative working conditions that are safe and healthy. We also promote diversity and use hiring practices that are fair, responsible and non-discriminatory for our employees and suppliers.
Animal Kindness
We are committed to ensuring that our designs avoid all materials derived from processes that are cruel to animals. For this reason, we choose not to use any fur or feathers in our designs and also keep the use of leather and wool to a minimum.
"A problem shared is a problem halved"
Sister Jane is born out of sisterhood, and we believe that good sisters should give good advice. That’s why we are implementing initiatives and making resources available to help our sisterhood make more informed, sustainable decisions.
GOING FULL CIRCLE
Our Sister Jane pieces are built to last, and we want you to cherish each design for as long as possible. However, we understand that wardrobe space is limited, and acquiring something new may mean parting with something old. While we encourage passing pre-loved pieces to friends or family, we recognise this isn’t always feasible.
To help extend the lifespan of our products and foster a more circular fashion economy, we are excited to the launch of our new re-sell platform - Sister Jane Carousel. This innovative platform allows you to sell and buy your Sister Jane pre-loved items, giving them a second life and ensuring each piece finds a new owner to treasure it anew.
By participating in our re-sell platform, you’ll not only contribute to a sustainable fashion movement but also declutter your wardrobe, reducing waste and promoting the reuse of high-quality fashion. Join us in making a positive impact on the environment, one stylish piece at a time.
RE-PAIR TO RE-LOVE
At Sister Jane we are also working towards launching a re-pair service at the Sister Jane Townhouse, an initiative designed to breathe new life into your beloved Sister Jane pieces. We know how much you love your favourite items, and now, instead of parting ways with them, you can have them lovingly restored. Whether it’s a loose button, a torn seam, or just a little wear and tear from all the good times you’ve had together, our skilled tailor will be here soon to bring your treasured pieces back to their best.
This initiative is more than a service — it’s a step towards sustainable fashion industry. By choosing to repair and reuse, you’re not only keeping memories alive but also helping to reduce waste and make a positive impact on our planet. Let’s give our clothes a second chance to shine!
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