Sustainable fashion isn’t a trend, it’s a way of doing business – and the world needs more sustainably-minded fashion labels and brands creating positive change.
But the world doesn’t just need it; customers are now looking for it. 67% of consumers consider sustainable materials when they’re shopping for their next fashion item, so if you’re running a fashion label and you’re not thinking about sustainability, you’re missing a huge opportunity.
If you’re thinking about launching an ethical and sustainable fashion label but don’t where to start or how to find the right suppliers, this will help.
If you’re already running an ethical and sustainable fashion business and you’re considering certificates and accreditations to help you scale, reach more customers and tidy up your supply chain, read on. Getting your fashion label certified or accredited does two things – so I’m all for it.
Firstly, it builds customer trust.
Secondly, the process of gaining certifications and accreditations forces you to look through every nook and cranny of your business and make sure you’re maintaining high ethical and sustainable standards.
So what kinds of certificates and accreditations do you need for your sustainable fashion label? Well, until you can afford it, you don’t need any so long as you’re authentic with your claims. When you can afford it though, here’s a list of the certificates and accreditations you can look into for your sustainable fashion brand…
- Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
- OEKO-TEX
- Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA)
- Global Organic Textile Standard Certified (GOTS)
- Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
- Fairtrade
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
- Certified B Corporation (B Corp)
- Australian Organic
- Woolmark
- BLUESIGN
- Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
- B Corp
And before you think have to gain every single accreditation there is to sell what you’re selling – you don’t. I’m all about selling sustainable fashion with authentic values and honest intent, so if you sell organic clothing, start with one accreditation and make it the GOTS Certified stamp. If you sell vegan leather accessories, start with PETA accreditation. Gain the certificates and accreditations that make sense to your specific products, because your business isn’t a star chart. This isn’t about how many stamps of approval you can get for the sake of getting them.
This is about being the best you can be at what you do and doing it as ethically and sustainably as you can, which means gaining the certificates and accreditations that actually mean something to your fashion brand.
This is just one piece of the pie when it comes to strategies for growth. If you’re ready to scale, make more sales, have a greater impact, and improve your business, you'll love my Sustainable Business Strategy Online Masterclass Course.
Claire x
