Achilles and the Tortoise

Achilles and the tortoise is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This is also where the ALTER collection is designed and produced. The brand works with a manufacturer in Portugal to produce the Essentials collection. The brand deliberately chooses a European producer because this limits the distances a garment has to travel, moreover it allows for better and direct communication with the production studio. This way, Achilles and the Tortoise can be sure that their collection is made in fair and safe conditions.

Finally, the materials are also ethically produced in Europe. The fabrics used in the Essentials collection are produced in Portugal, while the materials upcycled in the ALTER collection come from production surpluses or old stock from other companies.

Achilles and the tortoise designs two different collections. The clothes in the Essentials collection each consist of half organic cotton combined with recycled cotton. The organic cotton is OCS certified (Organic Content Standard), which means that the production process is controlled for the use of certain chemicals and working conditions.

In addition, the recycled cotton has a GRS certificate (Global Recycling Standard). This certificate shows that at least 20% of the material has been recycled. When you find the GRS logo on the clothing label itself, you know that at least 50% of the material has been recycled.

To ensure this collection is sustainable, Achilles and the tortoise EarthColors® uses naturally based dyes. These dyes are made from non-edible waste from the agricultural and herbal industries. This ensures that no harmful chemicals are used and that the clothes are completely safe to wear! 

The ALTER collection consists of unique garments made from upcycled materials. For example, the Dutch brand processed old parachute fabric into a lightweight summer collection. Other materials come from deadstock, overstock from other sectors or production leftovers.

Achilles and the tortoise are very circular thanks to their upcycling collection ALTER. The clothes are uniquely designed using upcycled materials. By doing so, the brand prevents these materials from ending up as waste by giving them a new life.

On top of that, they also give a lifetime guarantee. When you no longer wear your purchase but it is still in good condition, you can return it in exchange for 10% off your next purchase! Achilles and the tortoise can then recycle the clothes into new designs.

This Dutch label has a short supply chain as they work with manufacturing partners in the Netherlands and Portugal. All materials are also sourced from Europe, with the Essentials collection produced from fabric to finished garment by the same manufacturer.

The Essentials collection is completely vegan and therefore animal-friendly!

The ALTER collection is made from upcycled materials, so the composition of these fabrics is sometimes difficult to trace. It is therefore possible that the designs do contain wool or other animal materials, but the brand itself is not directly involved in the original production.

This Amsterdam-based slow-fashion brand is strongly committed to designing their collections sustainably. The designs are unisex and inclusive and follow a distinctly urban style and versatility. The brand draws inspiration from nature and authentic stories, for example the designs incorporating rare African animals.

Achilles and the tortoise believes in buying quality clothing consciously, and integrates this vision throughout the label. Therefore, the brand guarantees that its Essentials are made of high-quality fabrics. To demonstrate this, the brand gives a lifetime guarantee on all your purchases. When you no longer wear your clothes, and they are still in good condition, you can return them in exchange for credit. 

To avoid overproduction, Achilles and the tortoise produces in small runs. New collections work with a pre-order system where the clothes are produced only after the order is placed. 

Finally, you will also find washing and care tips on the website to keep your purchase shining longer.

Achilles and the tortoise is well committed to transparency. On the website, you will not only find information about the collections and materials, but also about the slow-fashion design principles the brand applies. 

Moreover, the product pages also include a full calculation of the garment’s true costs. For all Essential designs, the brand has calculated how much each stage of production costs. 

COSH! also sat down with the design team at Achilles and the tortoise. This gave us a look behind the scenes, in which the brand also shared information about their production partners. This way, COSH! was able to verify working conditions and certificates to make sure the clothes are produced ethically as well as sustainably.