At Kat the Label we are committed to ethical and sustainable trade, manufacturing and conditions for all of our factories and supply chain.
We integrate principled behaviour across vast aspects of our operations. From design, pattern making, grading and sampling here in our Melbourne studio, to production, fabric sourcing, development managed by our extremely talented suppliers and garment makers in China & Vietnam.
While this industry we admit is far from perfect, we are constantly looking for ways to improve on our sustainable and ethical standards to reduce our carbon footprint everyday.
Here's a bit more about what we are currently doing at Kat the Label;
PEOPLE
We work closely with our factories through regular visits to ensure we continue to work with an ethical and safe facility.
We find this way we can experience our production with our own eyes, experiencing where and how the garments we all love come to life. Our factories also hold BSCI to ensure compliance within the supply chain.
PLANET
By working with localised warehousing in Australia as well as the US we are able to minimise the energy and emissions used to transport your purchases.
We aim to ensure that fabric usage is as sustainable as possible and avoid using dyes that have harmful effects on our environment.
For our signature styles that we always carry in stock, we work with suppliers to make sure that creating this fabric just for us has the most minimal impact it can by designing and pattern making garments in such a way that we use as much of the fabric as possible. We manipulate designs so that the centre & edge of each fabric is used, meaning less fabric is discarded into landfill . When we need to, we have the fabric woven to only the width needed for that design (because lingerie typically, is quite tiny compared to usual clothing!).
We also keep all packaging to a minimum to avoid wastage and landfill. We now proudly ship orders in compostable shipping satchels through Hero Packaging.
We package and send out your garments out in reusable mesh bags to store them and protect them, and help maintain the longevity of your items but keeping them safe.
While we still need to individually package our garments in polybags for hygiene purchases and to avoid garments getting dirty in transit, we are now packing 100% of new production from our factories in biodegradable bags which will break down unlike typical plastic polybags. The better condition we pack the garments for their travels, the less faulty styles going into landfill or being sent back, reducing further waste.
When it comes to design each piece we create with classics, quality and comfort in mind so that you keep and cherish your product as long as possible. We are not about fast fashion or following trends, so your signature pieces stand the test of time. We see our items as collectibles and keepsakes.
GIVING BACK
Kat the Label started back in 2015, and has grown exponentially the last few years. This means we are now in a position to give back which we feel so grateful for. Some proud partners within Breast Cancer research include The Pink Agenda in the USA and NBCF Pink Ribbon fundraising within Australia. To date we have donated collectively over $100,000.
We are a proud ambassador and sponsor of Endometriosis Australia, to help raise funds for research and support into such an important cause impacting so many women.
So far along the journey we've donated hundreds of new bras and underwear to Support the Girls as well as Pinch A Poo, who help women and children affected by domestic violence.
YOU CAN HELP
How can you help? We like to remind our customers they can also do their bit to help the environment when shopping with Kat the Label. If returning items we suggest re using the satchel you received your order in so we can recycle it accordingly. We've added a second adhesive strip to our packaging, so they can be re sealed and re shipped.
Our commitment to the planet & people is ever ongoing, and we look forward to making improvements as we as a company grow.
x Kate