Understanding exactly where your clothes came from is a crucial step in improving the textile industry. With Fashion Revolution’s 2022 Fashion Transparency Index revealing that 48% of brands disclose their first tier suppliers, with half not disclosing any at all, there is still much progress to be made within the industry.
SIR. has release the first of what we hope to be many pieces that are completely traceable from raw fibre to shelf, providing complete visibility for their customers every step of the way. We spoke with the team about their ever evolving and developing sustainability journey and their plans for the future.
(FibreTrace) The new collection features items made from Good Earth Cotton®’s climate positive cotton, traceable from seed to shelf with the power of FibreTrace®. This is a very exciting next step for SIR. How have SIR.’s sustainability goals evolved since the brand first began?
(SIR.) Since inception we have always heroed natural fibres in our collections – linens, silks and cottons still make up the majority of our collections. As we have evolved, so too have our collections, expanding our fabrications while continuing our learnings about supply chain traceability. Our eagerness to continue to learn and adopt new ways of working has allowed us to embrace new technology and ways of working to consider the entirety of our business operations.
FibreTrace® has allowed us to look into the complete journey our pieces take from raw material to end consumer and beyond, while producing our garments at the highest quality to ensure they are loved by our customers for years to come, and ensuring our textile waste is consciously disposed of in ways that have the least impact on our environment. We’re aiming to expand the technology into more pieces through our collections as the FibreTrace® technology continues to grow.
Our goals stem further than just our production. We’ve taken a look at how our head office and retail stores operate, how we can reduce our footprint looking at everything from general waste management, to the packaging our garments are sent out in and everything in between as well as making strategic hires internally to ensure these goals are met.
(FibreTrace) What has been the biggest challenges the team has had to overcome throughout this journey?
(SIR.) The greatest challenge has been re-educating ourselves in the processes and sourcing methods that are best suited to fulfil our goals of sustainability, traceability and eliminating any issues of modern slavery hidden in textile industry supply chains. A challenge, but a fulfilling one that drives us to make the best decisions to achieve our goals.
(FibreTrace) What advice would you give to fashion brands trying to improve their impact?
(SIR.) Take a holistic approach and consider every element of the business. Impact stems deeper than just one area, so it’s important to take the time to really understand each element of the business and its impact on the bigger picture.
(FibreTrace) SIR. is a cult favourite both nationally and internationally, what changes does the team hope to see within the industry in the next few years and how can we encourage more brands to adopt these types of principles and practices?
(SIR.) We would love to see more information and resource sharing between brands and business to make industry wide measurable changes to fashions effects on the planet and people.
