Cordera

The production takes place in Galicia, Spain. Cordera’s knitwear is made using Japanese knitting machines, and then finished by hand. They are also committed to creating collaborative relationships that promote local economies, so they mainly work closely with small businesses. They carefully selected suppliers that share their value of quality and know-how, to try to ensure circularity. They still work with the same suppliers that started the Cordera project.

Besides, they work with family businesses locally. They have one knitting workshop in A Caruna, Galicia, 12 km from the Cordera studio. This allows them daily visits during the sample periods.

Their two weaving workshops are in Ourense and Santiago, both located within 80 km from the studio, and Mari Carmen’s studio has been part of Cordera since the origin. They work closely to ensure fluid exchange of knowledge. Cordera also started a handbags and accessories workshop in 2022 in collaboration with 3 family businesses located 95 km from the studio in Padrón, Galicia. For the distribution, they with a logistics center less than 15 km from the studio. Because all production is done in Spain and materials are sourced from within Europe, we can count on ethical work conditions from earlier in the supply chain because of the Spanish and European laws.

Their clothing line consisting of only one sized clothing meaning they try not to differentiate in sizes. And their vegetable tanned cowhide ensures less hazardous working conditions in the tanneries. However, while the tanning is done within Europe, the source of the leather is not mentioned so we cannot verify the work conditions of the leather earlier in the supply chain. This is a common issue in the leather industry.

For the materials, all Cordera suppliers are European, with traceability in their products: Italy, Spain and Portugal being their main suppliers of fabric and knitting yarn. Cordera works with the highest quality, mostly natural origin materials. They go through a painstaking process to find the most suitable materials in line with their ethics and quality standards. 

Any unavoidable polyesters used are recycled from Ecotec polyester, and kept to a minimum use to ensure easier recyclability post use. They mention the use of recycled cashmere, however the certifications are not specified. They also use BCI cotton (produced with less chemicals) by Ecotec, and organic linen, for which the certification is also not specified, however use of linen still has less of an impact on the environment than cotton. They also use Ecovero viscose, which being made by Lenzing automatically has certificates for sustainable forestry. After obtaining these materials, Cordera avoids aggressive and harmful processes to maintain the natural appearance of their fabrics.

For their handbags collection they have expanded into the use of cowhide, however they only use vegetable tanned cowhide which is vastly better for the environment than other tanning methods.

The packaging for the products are also recycled, including the packing bags, boxes, tapes, or any unavoidable paper communication materials.

At Cordera, they stress the importance of circularity many times. Although they haven’t stated anything regarding the end phase of the garments, regarding disassemblement, reuse, disposal or a takeback service, their designs and materials mostly contribute to the circularity of the garments.

They have some mono material products which are best for recyclability, and their use of vegetable tanned leather also ensures biodegradability. Their knitwear contains a small amount of recycled polyester, however the small amount makes it possible to recycle at the end.

The brand gets its materials from within Europe, so they have a short chain, and their products don’t have to travel a long distance.

All Cordera workshops are located in Galicia, including the distributor, to limit the carbon footprint from the travel. The distribution center as well is located less than 15 km from the studio. Because of the short chain, Cordera can work closely with everyone to develop requirements and avoid overproduction.

Cordera specially states the importance of fairness, not just with people but also with animals. Although certifications for these aren’t stated, they only use cruelty-free silk (although the method of it being cruelty-free is not specified) and Mulesing free wool. They also use wool belonging to the International Alpaca Association, which ensures ethical practices with the Alpacas and the producers.

Cordera’s products are locally sourced, and made using Japanese sewing machines, and then finished by hand. They are all one size, and try to make the products accessible to everyone of all shapes and sizes, and are intended to give no opportunity to out/​under grow them. However, that also comes with the consequence that it will not fit literally everybody or every size. Their designs are timeless and products of high quality, which makes them last long, and easy to reuse and repair.

Along with handbags and women’s clothes, they also provide men’s clothing, however their simple, pure and unique designs are non-gendered. Their intuitive patterns, and comfortable and effortless styles fit perfectly on every kind of body.

The brand also provides care tips for each product depending on the material, aiding the longevity and repairability of the product.

The brand is very transparent about the materials and processes in terms of what type of factories they work with and the locations, however, there are no specific names which makes traceability hard.