Fashion should not come at an ethical cost – either for human or animal life. For us, this principle is a driving force guiding how we will and will not operate.
From where and how our items are made, to renumeration as well as the fabrics and trims used consideration of ethical factors are at the forefront of all our decisions.
Fashion should not come at an ethical cost – either for human or animal life. For us, this principle is a driving force guiding how we will and will not operate.
From where and how our items are made, to renumeration as well as the fabrics and trims used consideration of ethical factors are at the forefront of all our decisions.
MADE IN NEW ZEALAND
We are committed to producing responsibly and sustainably. That is why all our pieces are 100% ethically made in New Zealand.
We work directly with independent machinists and locally owned businesses which means we are in regular contact and can easily and frequently visit our production workplaces. This ensures that not only the highest standard of workmanship is met and our local community supported but ethical and transparent production is achieved.
Every one of our machinists is an integral part of the Florence & Fortitude team. Their skill, expertise, dedication and love for their craft is exceptional and is translated into each piece made.
WAGES
Every member of the Florence & Fortitude team is significantly important to us so it is one of our core values that 100% of our team are paid a living wage or in excess of this.
MADE IN NEW ZEALAND
We are committed to producing responsibly and sustainably. That is why all our pieces are 100% ethically made in New Zealand.
We work directly with independent machinists and locally owned businesses which means we are in regular contact and can easily and frequently visit our production workplaces. This ensures that not only the highest standard of workmanship is met and our local community supported but ethical and transparent production is achieved.
Every one of our machinists is an integral part of the Florence & Fortitude team. Their skill, expertise, dedication and love for their craft is exceptional and is translated into each piece made.
WAGES
Every member of the Florence & Fortitude team is significantly important to us so it is one of our core values that 100% of our team are paid a living wage or in excess of this.
FABRICS WE USE
In order to produce responsibly made clothing we have carefully considered our use of fabrics and trims. Focusing on high quality we place great importance on the ethical and traceability factors of the materials used in our collection.
The fabrics we use include GOTS certified organic cotton, OEKO-Tex and traceable fabric and trims.
FABRICS WE USE
In order to produce responsibly made clothing we have carefully considered our use of fabrics and trims. Focusing on high quality we place great importance on the ethical and traceability factors of the materials used in our collection.
The fabrics we use include GOTS certified organic cotton, OEKO-Tex and traceable fabric and trims.
GOTS CERTIFIED ORGANIC COTTON
Sourced from SÖKTAŞ in Turkey the organic cotton we use is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified – the leading textile processing standard in the world.
In addition to the strict environmental standards, GOTS certified fabrics require stringent social responsibility covering the production, processing, manufacturing, packaging and labelling of goods.
GOTS Social Responsibility
Not only is the GOTS standard strict on the environmental side of textile manufacturing, but it is very stringent on social responsibility. The below principles are at the forefront of this social criteria:
- Employment is freely chosen (no bonded or forced labour)
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining (workers committees or unions can be formed without the fear of discrimination)
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour must not be used. (Checks must be in place to validate workers identify and age. If child labour is found in a company, contribution and participation in programmes and policies must be undertaken to provide for the childs transition enabling the child to attend and remain in quality education until they are determined an adult)
- Living wages paid
- Working hours are not excessive (48 hour weeks are not to be exceeded on a regular basis. Rest breaks and one day off per every 7 days on average is required. Any overtime is to be voluntary and not exceeding 12 hours per week with compensation at a premium rate (ie. No less than one and on-quarter times the employees regular rate).
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- Harsh or inhumane treatment is prohibited
GOTS CERTIFIED ORGANIC COTTON
Sourced from SÖKTAŞ in Turkey the organic cotton we use is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified – the leading textile processing standard in the world.
In addition to the strict environmental standards, GOTS certified fabrics require stringent social responsibility covering the production, processing, manufacturing, packaging and labelling of goods.
GOTS Social Responsibility
Not only is the GOTS standard strict on the environmental side of textile manufacturing, but it is very stringent on social responsibility. The below principles are at the forefront of this social criteria:
- Employment is freely chosen (no bonded or forced labour)
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining (workers committees or unions can be formed without the fear of discrimination)
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour must not be used. (Checks must be in place to validate workers identify and age. If child labour is found in a company, contribution and participation in programmes and policies must be undertaken to provide for the childs transition enabling the child to attend and remain in quality education until they are determined an adult)
- Living wages paid
- Working hours are not excessive (48 hour weeks are not to be exceeded on a regular basis. Rest breaks and one day off per every 7 days on average is required. Any overtime is to be voluntary and not exceeding 12 hours per week with compensation at a premium rate (ie. No less than one and on-quarter times the employees regular rate).
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- Harsh or inhumane treatment is prohibited
SÖKTAS
The GOTS certified organic cotton we used is sourced from SÖKTAŞ in Turkey.
SÖKTAŞ has a genuine commitment to producing exceptional fabrics with environmental sensitivity and responsible stewardship of the biodiversity of land, soil, air and water. In addition to contributing to education and supporting artistic and cultural activities they are in full compliance with the following international standards:
- OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
- ISO 50001:2011 Energy Management System
- TS-EN ISO 9001:2008
- OEKO-Tex Standard 100
- Global Organic Standards (GOTS)
- REACH 2011
OEKO-TEX CERTIFIED
We use OEKO-Tex certified trims in a number of our pieces.
OEKO-Tex certification is a global third-party textile testing and certification system which examines every stage of the production of textiles. The comprehensive and demanding criteria often extends beyond judicial standards, testing for harmful and in some cases legally non-regulated substances. This means textiles with the OEKO-tex certification are free of harmful chemicals (such as AZO colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol) and safe for human use – therefore of benefit to both the workers who are handling the fabric and the consumer.
SÖKTAS
The GOTS certified organic cotton we used is sourced from SÖKTAŞ in Turkey.
SÖKTAŞ has a genuine commitment to producing exceptional fabrics with environmental sensitivity and responsible stewardship of the biodiversity of land, soil, air and water. In addition to contributing to education and supporting artistic and cultural activities they are in full compliance with the following international standards:
- OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
- ISO 50001:2011 Energy Management System
- TS-EN ISO 9001:2008
- OEKO-Tex Standard 100
- Global Organic Standards (GOTS)
- REACH 2011
OEKO-TEX CERTIFIED
We use OEKO-Tex certified trims in a number of our pieces.
OEKO-Tex certification is a global third-party textile testing and certification system which examines every stage of the production of textiles. The comprehensive and demanding criteria often extends beyond judicial standards, testing for harmful and in some cases legally non-regulated substances. This means textiles with the OEKO-tex certification are free of harmful chemicals (such as AZO colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol) and safe for human use – therefore of benefit to both the workers who are handling the fabric and the consumer.
FABRICS WE WON’T USE
There are certain materials we will not utilise due to their demonstrable impact on animals, human health and the environment. These fabrics include:
- Fur
- Angora
- Leather
- Mulesed sheep wool
- Down or feathers
- Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs are used in some waterproof coatings and contaminate waterways)
- Sandblasting (Sometimes used in denim treatment and is hazardous to human health)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polyurethane (PU)
It is our aim to take proactive steps in the reductions of the use of certain materials including virgin polyester, uncertified cottons and silks and instead move to the use of their more sustainable counterparts.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
We want to ensure there is a duality between fashion and ethics within our label.
Whilst being made in New Zealand means we can ensure first-hand the ethical creation of all our pieces we have room for improvement with the traceability of our fabrics.
A number of our fabrics and trims are either GOTS certified, OEKO-Tex certified or traceable however as deadstock fabric is used within our collection traceability cannot be ensured. We are therefore committed to increase the use of traceable fabric and trims as we grow.
If you feel we could do better or would like to talk about any of our practices we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@florenceandfortitude.com
FABRICS WE WON’T USE
There are certain materials we will not utilise due to their demonstrable impact on animals, human health and the environment. These fabrics include:
- Fur
- Angora
- Leather
- Mulesed sheep wool
- Down or feathers
- Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs are used in some waterproof coatings and contaminate waterways)
- Sandblasting (Sometimes used in denim treatment and is hazardous to human health)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polyurethane (PU)
It is our aim to take proactive steps in the reductions of the use of certain materials including virgin polyester, uncertified cottons and silks and instead move to the use of their more sustainable counterparts.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
We want to ensure there is a duality between fashion and ethics within our label.
Whilst being made in New Zealand means we can ensure first-hand the ethical creation of all our pieces we have room for improvement with the traceability of our fabrics.
A number of our fabrics and trims are either GOTS certified, OEKO-Tex certified or traceable however as deadstock fabric is used within our collection traceability cannot be ensured. We are therefore committed to increase the use of traceable fabric and trims as we grow.
If you feel we could do better or would like to talk about any of our practices we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@florenceandfortitude.com