We are strong believers of slow fashion – in timeless designs made of durable quality. We strive to use materials with the smallest carbon footprint that meet the highest current standards of certification. A lot of research is spent on sourcing the right materials and trustworthy suppliers, keeping our values, but also quality top of mind. 

We have a strong preference for natural materials, but depending on the specific characteristics of the garment, we at times include synthetic alternatives. Always recycled or from certifiable sources. Our low-impact material sourcing extends also to our accessories, as we use recycled or certified fabrics for lining and buttons made from bio-waste. Our material suppliers are based in Europe to reduce transportation impact and all of them provide traceable products and certifications where applicable. 

CAES has zero tolerance for animal cruelty. We expect the highest standards of care and treatment of all animals within our supply chain, and have therefore chosen to ban the following materials:

• genuine fur
• leather
• exotic animal products
• angora wool
• any wool from farmers who practice mulesing
• materials sourced from endangered species as listed by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) or CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

To find out more about the materials we love working with, we included a list at the bottom of this page.

Outside of our clothing production, we like to find ways to lessen our impact also in different parts of our operations. Since very early on, we have therefore opted for compostable bags to protect our garments instead of the traditional polybags, which are a large contributor to the fashion industry’s plastic waste. Our bags are completely biodegradable and we encourage you to include them in your organic waste to see them vanish within weeks. The boxes we use for shipping are made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) endorsed cardboard, which ensures the material originates from trees cultivated in well-managed forests.

Materials used in our garments, in alphabetical order:

CUPRO

Often referred to as "vegan silk," cupro surpasses traditional silk due to its affordability, durability, and for not being animal-derived. It’s made from tiny leftover cotton pieces and because it’s plant-based it will naturally decompose in soil in around four months under warm, humid conditions. 

DEADSTOCK

These are essentially secondhand fabrics that are usually leftovers from other brands’ productions. Although they lack clear origins sometimes, repurposing these waste materials avoids them ending up in a landfill.

ECOVERO™

Ecovero™ is often nicknamed responsible viscose because it is a more sustainable and less polluting way of creating a similar type of fabric. In fact, the emissions, energy and water used is about half of that of traditional methods. Even its pulp bleaching is completely chlorine-free, and nearly all chemicals used in the production process are recovered and reused.

ECO WOOL

Besides having excellent properties, such as the ability to be self-cleaning and react to changes in body temperature, wool is generally biodegradable. For the eco wool we use, there are strict requirements in place to ensure the welfare of the sheep and their environment. This means they are treated well, with lots of space to roam free and practices such as mulesing or tail docking are strictly forbidden. These surgical procedures are often carried out without anesthesia and entails removing strips of skin with a knife to prevent flystrike. We only buy wool from suppliers that are adhering to these standards and require the applicable certifications.

LEATHER ALTERNATIVES 

We are always looking for leather alternatives that will add texture and some edge to our collection, while adhering to our no-animal skin policy. We work with a variety of companies that are at the forefront of developing bio materials that resemble leather, such as DESSERTO®, a PETA certified vegan company or VEGEA®, which makes leather alternative out of waste from the wine industry in Italy.

ORGANIC COTTON

Cotton labeled as organic is grown without using harmful chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides, which helps keep the environment, the farmers and neighboring communities safe. It also requires less water to grow and keeps the soil healthy.

RECYCLED COTTON 

Recycled cotton can be defined as pre-consumer and post-consumer cotton waste converted into cotton fiber, which can then be reused in textile products. The amount of energy, water and dye is reduced significantly by using a product that has been processed before. Recycled cotton yarns are often sourced from textile scraps that are sorted by color, thereby eliminating the need to dye them entirely. Due to the shorter length of the recycled cotton fibers, the material requires additional materials such as virgin cotton or polyester to improve durability of the final fabric. 

RECYCLED POLYESTER

The polyester we use, although in small quantities, is made from recycled plastic bottles, packaging, and old textiles, helping us reuse plastic and reduce waste. The reduction of pollution and waste is considerable, and it requires almost 60% less energy to produce compared to virgin polyester. 

TENCEL™ LYOCELL

Tencel™ Lyocell is an eco-friendly material made from wood pulp that comes from FSC certified forests. The process is powered by sustainable bioenergy and all solvent required is recovered and recycled. It’s a great alternative to cotton with many similar or superior properties, but requires less water and energy than regular cotton.