So you've reached this page, you clearly care about sustainability. We've done the work and put together a blend of facts and a bit of our journey as a company to share with you.

Climate change is an undeniable truth in our modern world. A report conducted in 2021 by the World Economic Forum found that the fashion industry, along with its supply chain, is the Earth’s 3rd largest polluter, topped only by food and construction. The fashion industry as a whole has been found to contribute around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. From the waste of water in textile production, to extensive and multi-national supply chains, to unethical work environments, there is no shortage of areas within the industry that can be improved for the good of all. With sea levels rising, natural disasters becoming more impactful and frequent, and an estimated 31 million people displaced due to climate change, many individuals are becoming more concerned with their individual impact on this planet, founders of STYLEGUISE, Cat Wennekamp and Tania Sarin, included. STYLEGUISE understands the importance of making the fashion industry more sustainable and ethical, and making practices like ours the norm. This is something important to us, as well as our customers. We want to give our customers full transparency on the actions we are taking as a company to do our part, so we give to you our Sustainability Journey.


STYLEGUISE SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY

Step 1 - SOURCING FABRIC 

The problem: WATER USAGE WHILE MANUFACTURING TEXTILES
The fashion industry has a major issue with wasting water. Creating textiles is the largest area where this resource is wasted; 79 billion cubic metres of water were used to create clothing in 2015 alone.

Our solution: DEADSTOCK
We use deadstock material to create our pieces. This means not only are we are saving this fabric from a landfill, but we also ensure that we are not contributing to the wasting of water in the production of our fabric.

Step 2 - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCING SAMPLES 

The problem: CARBON EMISSIONS
Typically brands design in one location and get samples made in another city. Those samples are shipped back and forth over sea on freight containers or by air, all before production on what the customers receive is even begun. This is done thousands of times over.  

Our solution: LOCAL 
We reduce our carbon footprint by designing and producing our samples in LA. We work with sample and pattern makers locally in Los Angeles and pay them directly. 

Step 3 - GARMENT PRODUCTION IN FACTORY 

The problem: SWEATSHOPS 
Sweatshops are defined by the US Department of Labor as a factory that violates a minimum of 2 labor laws. It is estimated that currently, 250 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 work in sweatshops in developing countries. Up to 90% of employees in sweatshops are women. 

Our solution: ETHICAL WORKING CONDITION
We follow Covid-19 and Healthcare protocols to keep all our workers safe. STYLEGUISE ensures that all workers are paid living wages. Co-founders Cat Wennekamp and Tania Sarin do constant factory visits to confirm that conditions are sanitary and ethical.

Step 4 - PRESSING AND PACKAGING GARMENT FROM FACTORY 

The problem: PLASTIC WASTE
A lot of plastic waste in the fashion industry is actually invisible to the consumer. After being pressed, every item coming from factories is typically individually wrapped in plastic. This creates an infinite stream of plastic waste.

Our solution: NO PLASTIC USED IN OUR FACTORIES
We have asked our factory to specifically eliminate plastic from our line of production. Instead, they press and fold our garments directly into cardboard boxes to send to us. 

 

Step 5 - FULFILLING ORDER TO CUSTOMER

The problem: PLASTIC PACKAGING
Most brands send customers orders in one time using plastic baggies within one time using plastic mailers.

Our solution: ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PACKAGING
STYLEGUISE packaging is 100% plastic-free and 100% biodegradable and/or recyclable. Any stickers, branding, or card inserts you see are biodegradable as well. We proudly use Noissue.com to create eco-friendly branding material for you to enjoy.

Step 6 - LIFECYCLE OF A GARMENT

The problem: FASHION WASTE IN LANDFILLS 
Clothing sold by fast fashion brands is cheaply made, with intent to last for the trend cycle or season, not a lifetime.

Our Solution: HERITAGE PIECES THAT LAST A LIFETIME
Our pieces are made with incredible attention to detail and meant to last you many seasons, not only in quality, but in style.

OUR MISSION:

Making sustainability Normal. 

Our goal as a company is to normalize these processes. We shouldn’t be standing out for this, we should be the norm. Thank you for helping us to do our part in ending fashion waste and helping our Earth! 

Thank you so much,

Cat Wennekamp and Tania Sarin 

Founders of STYLEGUISE


Sources:

  1. https://edgexpo.com/fashion-industry-waste-statistics/
  2. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2021-10-20/millions-of-people-displaced-another-cost-of-climate-change#:~:text=Numbers%20of%20displaced%20people%20on,resulted%20from%20government%2Dled%20evacuations.
  3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikescott/2020/09/19/out-of-fashionthe-hidden-cost-of-clothing-is-a-water-pollution-crisis/?sh=75529140589c
  4. https://brandongaille.com/36-shocking-sweatshop-statistics/