Inga Lichtenfeld

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Belgium: Design and manufacturing in Brussels
• Greece: Fabric printing
• Turkey: Origin of the cotton

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

Inga Lichtenfeld produces mainly in Belgium, where design and manufacturing take place in Brussels. All garments are made by hand, partly in the founder’s own atelier and partly in an external workshop that employs people with physical or social disadvantages. In this way, the brand not only ensures a fair and safe working environment but also supports social integration.

The fabric prints are produced in Greece. Production within the EU generally guarantees better social standards.

The cotton comes from Turkey. The fabrics used are organic, which means that ecological standards are monitored along the supply chain. Read more about organic cotton here. 

Inga Lichtenfeld works with a few carefully selected partners and keeps most of the value creation local. The personal contact between the founder and every production step enables transparency and quality assurance.

MATERIALS

• Organic cotton
• Elastane
• Leftover materials from its own production

The label uses organic cotton, which is grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers.

Elastane is added in small amounts for wearing comfort, to make the fabrics more elastic and durable. Nevertheless, it is a synthetic, petroleum-based material that is difficult to recycle, which is why it is considered less environmentally friendly.

PACKAGING

• The products are wrapped in tissue paper. The label also offers paper carrier bags made in Italy.
• No specific details on packaging materials within the supply chain.

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

Inga Lichtenfeld uses organic cotton, which rules out the use of pesticides, harmful chemicals and synthetic fertilisers.

The brand uses its own fabric prints, which are created in Greece using a reactive printing process.

Through the exclusive use of natural fibres, with the exception of a small proportion of elastane, there is only a minimal risk of microplastic release.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Inga Lichtenfeld does not work entirely with mono-materials, as most fabrics consist of 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane. The blend of cotton and elastane provides elasticity and wearing comfort but makes recycling more difficult.

The brand operates a take-back system in which garments that have become too small are washed, repaired and resold.

In addition, Inga Lichtenfeld uses leftover materials from its own production for new or creative upcycling projects. As the garments are handmade, they can be easily repaired or adjusted, which further extends their lifespan.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

Inga Lichtenfeld offers a repair service.

The brand operates its own take-back system, through which customers can send in used garments or ones that have become too small. These are inspected, cleaned and, if necessary, repaired. They then go on to be resold in the Vintage Corner. In return, customers receive a 20% discount voucher for their next purchase. This system extends the lifespan of the products.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Brussels, Belgium: Design, cutting, manufacturing and finishing
• Greece: Fabric printing
• Turkey: Origin of the organic cotton
• Inga Lichtenfeld’s headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.

TRANSPORT

• Inga Lichtenfeld sources its organic cotton from Turkey and has the fabrics printed in Greece before they are transported to Belgium. The routes within Europe are therefore comparatively short, which reduces transport emissions. The fabrics are sent by freight forwarder or via GLS or UPS.
• Orders are shipped directly from Brussels using conventional delivery services.

Inga Lichtenfeld does not use any animal materials in its collections.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Inga Lichtenfeld primarily offers children’s clothing, including dungarees, trousers, sweatshirts, dresses, skirts, T‑shirts and jackets. In addition, the collection also includes a selection for women and men, as well as some unisex designs.

The brand focuses on comfortable, soft cuts that allow freedom of movement, and on a poetic, playful aesthetic with distinctive prints.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Inga Lichtenfeld works with an ongoing, steadily growing collection, to which new designs are occasionally added.

Many pieces are made to order, which avoids overproduction and enables more conscious manufacturing.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

For every garment, the product page provides information on the material composition as well as the associated certification. The production location is also clearly stated. In addition, details on the cut, colour, design and care instructions are communicated. The packaging material and the take-back system are described too. The traceability of the products is therefore ensured.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

Inga Lichtenfeld establishes clear transparency along its own production steps. The label communicates that design and manufacturing take place in Brussels, that fabric printing is carried out in Greece and that the organic cotton comes from Turkey. It is also disclosed that production is partly carried out in the brand’s own atelier and partly in an external workshop.
Through this information, key stages of the value chain are named, which supports the general traceability of production.