Certified materials
In 2024, 65% of the materials we use, are sourced as either Organic, Recycled or Better Cotton. You will find these labels on our products. King Louie also signed the Amsterdam Green Deal Circular Textile in 2021, a fashion alliance to produce fully circular clothes.
The production of clothes has a big impact on the environment. Because of the use of chemicals, energy, farmland and water, to name a few examples. We do our best to work with certified materials as much as possible, in order to reduce our ecological footprint. By now, 65% of our collection is made of sustainable materials. We strive to keep increasing this percentage every season.
Certificates & Collaborations
We believe that it’s important to burden the environment as little as possible with the production of our clothes. That’s why 65% of the materials we use, are sourced as either Organic, Recycled or Better Cotton. You can check these labels with our products.
King Louie is committed to sourcing 100% of our cotton as ‘more sustainable cotton’ by 2025. ‘More sustainable cotton’ includes GOTS certified cotton, OCS certified cotton and Better Cotton Initiative.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an international standard for organic textile. We are GOTS certified, CU 851623. Only the products which carry the GOTS label and claim are certified.
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard (OCS 100) contain between 95-100% organically grown cotton that has been independently verified at each stage of the supply chain, from source to final product.
We are OCS certified, CU851623. Only the products which carry the OCS label and claim are certified.
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard (OCS Blended) contain between 5-94% organically grown cotton that has been independently verified at each stage of the supply chain, from source to final product.
We are OCS certified, CU 851623. Only the products which carry the OCS label and claim are certified.
We are proud Members of Better Cotton Initiative. Better Cotton Initiative trains farmers to use water efficiently, care for the health of the soil and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and implement the principles of decent work.
*Better Cotton Initiative is sourced via a chain of custody model called mass balance. This means that Better Cotton Initiative is not physically traceable to end products, however, Better Cotton Initiative farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton Initiative in equivalent volumes to those we ‘source.’
Leather Working Group (LWG) is an organization focused on the environmental impact of leather production. In order to become LWG certified, manufacturers must implement special programs for energy use and wastewater. The leather used by King Louie is Gold Rated (the highest classification).
Global Recycled Standard (GRS) guarantees the fabric consists of at least 20% of recycled content. The GRS certification verifies the recycled content and the socially responsible and environmentally friendly production practices.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose is a sustainable alternative to viscose. It is made from local trees, which reduces CO2 emissions. The wood is FSC certified, which means that sufficient trees are replanted. The chemicals are reused and 50% less water and energy is required than in the production of traditional viscose. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose are trademarks of Lenzing AG.
TENCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG. We use both TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers. The responsible production of TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers uses at least 50% less water and emits at least 50% less CO2 compared to generic lyocell and modal fibers, according to Higg MSI*, thereby saving precious resources for future generations.
*Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.7)
Animal welfare
We never use angora, down, fur and exotic skins in our collections.
We do not use a lot of animal materials (silk, leather and wool (blends)) in our collection. Only about 5% of our products are made with animal materials.
We require guarantees about the source of our materials and we prefer to work with a standard that guarantees good conditions for animals and humans. The leather used by King Louie is Leather Working Group certified.
The wool we use comes from independently certified parties. This means that the wool has been obtained in a responsible manner. Obtaining a wool certificate is a process that must meet strict requirements before we can use and mention it. Although we cannot yet promote all our woolen products as certified, we are working hard to expand this.
Circular production
In 2021, King Louie has signed the Amsterdam Green Deal Circular Textile, a fashion alliance to make fully circular clothes. We occupy a seat in the Circular Fashion Innovation Lab (CFIL). Our first circular items were launched in 2023.
Returns, reconditioning and remnants
Returns and reconditioning
Returned clothes are usually added back to the stock. If an item of clothing is returned because it has a light stain, for example, it will be reconditioned first. This means that the item will be put up and cleaned, so that it can be returned to the stock after. This is done at our warehouse. If an item of clothing really cannot be fixed, it will be sold for a reduced price at the King Louie stall at the Noordermarkt in Amsterdam.
Fortunately, only a very small percentage of our returns are rejected. On average, this percentage is between 1 and 2%.
Remnants
Items that we cannot sell in our stores and online shop are never destroyed. These items go to Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet, Otrium or the Noordermarkt.
Some of the items that still have a lot of stock including all sizes at the end of the season (when the sale starts) go to our King Louie store in Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet.
Some of our remnants are also sold on the Noordermarkt and at Otrium. Otrium is an online outlet where brands can sell their overstock. So you’ll often find items from previous collections here. They are usually one season behind.
If there are still leftovers after all of this, these remnants will be donated. For example, our outlet in Batavia Stad sent a shipment of winter items to Ukraine in 2021. King Louie also made a donation to the Salvation Army in December 2021, and we have also donated a full shipment of clothes to refugees in Greece (Lesbos) in the past. In 2023, 300 items were donated to Dress for Success.
Fabrics and product care
In order to enjoy your clothes as long as possible, it’s important to take good care of them. Would you like to know more about the (sustainable) fabrics that we use, and how you can keep them looking good for a long time?