Our Materials
+100% Organic Cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms, reducing its environmental impact and promoting biodiversity. The cultivation of organic cotton also promotes healthier soil and water resources due to reduced chemical inputs, contributing to a more balanced ecosystem.
100% Organic Linen is made from flax plants that are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, reducing environmental impact and promoting soil health. Linen is also a biodegradable and durable fabric, which means it has a lower contribution to waste and can last longer, making it a more sustainable choice compared to many other textiles.
Silk Noil is made from the shorter fibers and remnants of silk production, utilizing what would otherwise be considered waste. By upcycling these leftover fibers, silk noil reduces material waste and promotes a more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly approach to silk manufacturing.
Bemberg Cupro is made from regenerated cellulose fibers derived from cotton linter, a byproduct of the cotton industry, reducing the need for additional raw materials and minimizing waste. The production process of Bemberg Cupro also involves a closed-loop system, where solvents are continuously recycled, making it an eco-friendly choice with lower environmental impact.
Alpaca is a sustainable fiber for several reasons. Alpacas have a low environmental impact as they graze on native vegetation, reducing the need for intensive land use and agricultural inputs. Alpaca fiber is biodegradable and long-lasting, making it a durable and eco-friendly material that contributes to reduced textile waste.
01 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS
We are committed to changing the narrative around fashion and sustainability. Our practices have helped us reduce our carbon emissions, lessen water waste and energy use, and vastly minimize our consumption of new raw materials. We do this by:
Decreasing water consumption and pollution
We design our manufacturing process to minimize water usage and to be free of toxic chemicals. To lessen our environmental footprint, we work with low-impact dyes, use upcycled materials, and create our garments with organic, earth-friendly natural fibers.
Limiting waste
We design timeless silhouettes to create quality garments that stand the test of time. We also breathe new life into the remnant fabric from our own production waste to create newly inspired goods. To support a responsible end-of-lifecycle design process, we recently launched our pre-loved shop Re-LAUDE to further promote circularity in fashion.
Supporting Environmental Preservation
We partner with a farmer-led organization, Grow Ahead to offset our direct carbon footprint, and to offer our customers an eco-shipping option. Through this partnership, we’re able to support important agroforestry projects such as women-led reforestation in Brazil, and indigenous led eco-restoration in Mexico. In 2022 we planted over 5,000 trees and cash crops to support environmental resiliency.
Women-Led Partnerships
+Employing women fairly in the fashion industry is crucial for alleviating poverty for several reasons:
The fashion industry employs over 60 million people worldwide, of which approximately 75% are women. By providing women with equal opportunities and fair wages, the industry can significantly contribute to narrowing the gender pay gap and improving overall economic stability.
Advancing gender equality in the workforce could add up to $28 trillion to the global GDP by 2025. By empowering women in the fashion industry through fair employment practices and leadership opportunities, this sector can play a vital role in boosting economic growth and productivity on a global scale.
Investing in women's economic empowerment can lead to increased spending on education, healthcare, and nutrition for their families. When women in the fashion industry earn a fair income, they are more likely than their male counterparts to invest a higher proportion of their earnings back into their communities, fostering socio-economic development and reducing poverty levels.
At LAUDE 100% of our partnerships are women-owned and operated, and 72% of our total workforce is women.
02 WOMEN-CENTERED IMPACT
Amplifying the voices, roles, and impact of women is central to the work we do.
If every woman employed by the fashion industry was empowered with fair wages and working conditions, we believe entire communities would be transformed.
Our ethical practices are a core part of our mission of supporting women-identifying individuals through safe working conditions, living wages, equal opportunities for advancement in the workplace, and representation in leadership.
We exist to provide opportunities for women and we’re proud to report that 100% of our product volume is produced in woman-owned or co-owned facilities.
Worker Wage Statistics
+LAUDE the Label producers make a minimum of 45% above fair trade wage requirements, and because our workforce is paid fairly, we report less than a 3% turnover rate within our teams.
- Our highest-paid makers are paid 181% above a living wage.
- The average wage of maker is 114% above a living wage.
- Our highest paid knitters are paid 83% above a living wage.
- The average wage of knitters are paid 58% above a living wage.
- The highest-paid entry-level workers (trimmers, cutters, QC) are paid 35% above a living wage.
- The average wage of entry-level workers (trimmers, cutters, QC) are paid 18% above a living wage.
03 FAIR WAGES
We believe in a living wage which is the standard amount required in a certain location to afford adequate shelter, food, and other living necessities. The goal of a living wage is to allow employees to earn enough income for a satisfactory standard of living and prevent them from falling into poverty.
In most countries, including the U.S., the minimum legal wage remains well under a living wage and many full time workers are trapped in cycles of poverty. In the countries we work in, typical wages are only one-quarter to one-half of what a worker needs to support their life. We've set out to improve this.
3rd Party Certifications
+As a verified SEWF brand, and member of the Fair Trade Federation, we believe in the power of 3rd party certifications. To ensure maker safety, we require that all manufacturing partners provide 3rd party social audits before becoming an approved LAUDE vendor. The majority of our partners go above and beyond and carry additional certifications such as WFTO, NEST, SMETA, GOTS and SEDEX.
04 SAFE + MEANINGFUL WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Our commitment to ethical supply chains means we work with vendors who are audited, certified and socially responsible. Each of our vendors is dedicated to empowering their female-identifying workforce, improving their environmental impact, and implementing ethical practices. As we continue to expand, we are actively working with many of our long-term partners to provide the resources and financial support needed to complete various certification processes.
Our Solution to Overconsumption
+The fast fashion industry is responsible for -
- 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually.
- 81.5 lbs of clothing discarded annually in U.S. landfills.
- Garment wear frequency declining by 36% in 15 years.
- 20% of global wastewater.
- $500 billion lost yearly due to under-wearing and lack of recycling.
- 10% of annual ocean microplastic
- 2.6 million tonnes of clothing going to landfills each year.
- Clothing production doubling over the last 20 years.
At LAUDE, our primary focus is on producing heirloom-quality clothing. We strive to combat overconsumption and strongly believe that your clothing should be cherished in your closet for a lifetime, rather than contributing to overflowing landfills. We are committed to prioritizing the use of natural fibers, employing low-impact dyes, utilizing high-stitch sewing techniques, designing timeless silhouettes, conducting small-batch productions, and valuing handmade craftsmanship.
When you choose LAUDE, you are investing in well-made pieces that are thoughtfully designed to endure for many years.
05 HEIRLOOM QUALITY
We know that using better materials is better for the planet. We also know that the better the materials used, the longer the garment lasts, making it a piece that can be handed down for years to come.
In contrast, the conventional fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity's carbon emissions, is the second largest consumer of the world's water supply, and pollutes the oceans with microplastics from synthetic materials like polyester that can take centuries to biodegrade.
As a company, we're choosing to rewrite the future of the industry by using better, more Earth-friendly materials. Over the last four years, we have taken enormous environmental strides within our supply chain and committed to creating handmade, organic styles that are free from toxic chemicals and synthetic fibers.