Our commitment to Sustainability and Ethics

At K&R we are dedicated to transparency at every stage of our production chain, from initial design all the way to factory production. We have been keeping vintage clothing in circulation since our brand was founded, however as a fashion brand that is also creating new products, we recognise that we are not perfect.

Through our ongoing experience with vintage clothing, we have gained a unique perspective on how fashion has evolved throughout the decades. We see firsthand what has been overproduced, only to be discarded a few years later, and what has truly stood the test of time.

We use this experience to inform every stage of our design & production process. From initial design & fabric sourcing to manufacturing, our goal is to produce pieces that are timeless, unique & ethically made.

Our London factories, use of deadstock & natural fabrics and limited production runs are testament to our commitment. At the same time, we recognise that sustainability is not just environmental. We also strive to maximise our positive social impact through local & ethical production which supports the local community. We ensure workers are paid fairly and able to work in safe, healthy & supportive environments.

Below we detail how we embrace sustainable and ethical practices in each stage of our development and production process. We are constantly evolving as a brand and finding ways to improve. If you have any further questions or suggestions after reading then feel free to email us at enquiries@kandrclothing.com

Design

  • Each of our designs are developed carefully with the aim of being timeless. Many of our designs take over a year to perfect & only go into production when we are 100% confident in them.
  • Many of our designs are specifically designed to be unisex & can be worn by anyone.
  • Our considerate & detailed design process means that all our designs go beyond trends and can be worn for many years to come.

Local sourcing & deadstock fabric

  • Almost all the fabrics & materials that we use are deadstock. Deadstock fabric is leftover, unused fabric from larger production runs that would otherwise go to landfill. Our commitment to using deadstock fabric reduces textile waste, minimises the demand for new fabric & ensures we aren't contributing to the millions of tonnes of fabric already stored in warehouses and landfills.
  • As well as being deadstock, 95% of the fabrics we use are natural, with almost all our designs being made from either cotton, wool or linen. At present the only non natural fibre we have used is polyester for 'the vita dress in yellow gingham'. This fabric was 100% deadstock & would otherwise of been destined for landfill.
  • We source most of our materials locally to minimise our environmental impact and support the local community.

Local & ethical production

  • All of our products are manufactured in our London factories. This not only supports the local economy but also reduces our carbon footprint.
  • Local production also means that we are able to regularly visit our factories to oversee the production process from start to finish, ensuring our products are quality checked throughout.

working with our Factories

  • Local production has allowed us to visit our factories weekly and build strong relationships with them. We know the workers personally, ensuring a supportive and respectful working environment.
  • All our workers are paid fairly, at least the London living wage, ensuring fair compensation for their dedication and hard work.
  • Regular factory visits allow us to ensure they maintain high standards of ethical practices. Our close-knit relationships with everyone involved means we directly oversee and ensure fair and ethical treatment.

Small production & Pre-order

  • We produce all our items in small runs to avoid overproduction and minimise waste.
  • Many of our products are only available on pre-order. This allow us to judge the demand for our products before we go into production, preventing us from unnecessarily overproducing clothes that may not sell. Pre-order also allow customers to make more mindful choices about what they buy.

Keeping clothes in circulation

  • K&R started out as a vintage clothing brand & we have never forgotten where we came from. Keeping clothing in circulation is a mission of ours and although we produce our own clothing, 50% of the clothes we have sold are second hand. We carefully source vintage clothing from around the world, repairing it where necessary and giving it a second chance at life. To this day we have given over 20,000 items of clothing, that could have ended up in landfill, a new life.
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