Circus

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• India

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

According to their website, Circus’ clothing is made in close collaboration with their partner factory Considered Clothing in New Delhi, India. The brand has worked exclusively with Considered Clothing for over ten years. 

To help ensure fair working conditions, Circus’ factory is SEDEX certified. Circus explains that this means it meets globally recognized standards for worker rights, safe working conditions, and fair business practices. 

MATERIALS 

• Cotton 
• Organic cotton 
• EcoVero viscose 
• Viscose 

Circus states that over 90% of their fabrics are certified natural and more sustainable fibres. Where organic cotton is used, Circus does not state on their website what certifications apply. They sometimes use conventional cotton, and this is often certified by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). BCI promotes more environmentally friendly practices in cotton cultivation, including reduced chemical use and lower water consumption. 

Circus sometimes uses traditional viscose, and other times EcoVero viscose. EcoVero viscose is a man-made material from the Austrian company LENZING. Both materials are made from plant fibres but unlike traditional viscose, the wood pulp used for EcoVero viscose comes from certified and controlled sources. EcoVero also boasts a much lower water consumption and lower CO2 emissions compared to its traditional counterpart. 

PACKAGING 

Circus does not disclose what packaging materials are used. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

According to the brand, their factory follows environmentally friendly practices regarding water use. They do not disclose any further information on what this means in practice. They also state that they use water based dyes to achieve their vibrant and natural colours. Water based dyes are typically viewed as more sustainable than traditional synthetic dyes, due to their lower chemical usage. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

The vast majority of Circus’ products are either 100% cotton or 100% viscose. By using monomaterials such as these, Circus helps to prevent their garments from becoming waste at the end of their lifespans, as they will be easier to recycle. 

Some product pages state that the garment was constructed from repurposed viscose; giving life to unwanted fabrics and reducing the brand’s consumption of raw materials. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Circus does not disclose any circular business models on their website, such as a return or repair scheme. An initiative such as this would help to ensure that their products are kept out of landfills for longer. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations:

• India

As Circus works exclusively with one factory in India, the length of their supply chain is reduced considerably. The brand’s headquarters are however located in Ireland, and the brand exports their clothing worldwide, so transportation related emissions are still likely to be high.

Additionally, as Circus does not disclose where they source their raw materials from, an accurate assessment of their overall supply chain length cannot be determined. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Circus does not disclose what transportation methods are used in their supply chain. 

The items currently available on Circus’ website (S/S 2025) do not contain any animal-related materials. Instead of using wool, Circus’ knitwear products are 100% organic cotton. 

PRODUCT DESIGN

Circus states that their products are designed to be worn, loved, and remembered. They therefore aim to choose materials that ensure that their garments will stand the test of time. Instead of following short-lived trends, Circus reinterprets vintage style through a bold, feminine lens. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

As Circus does not produce made-to-order items, there is a sales section on their website. They do however state that they produce in small batches, helping to reduce waste from overproduction. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

As Circus only works with one supplier, who they openly disclose on their website, you’ll always know where your specific purchase was produced. The product pages are also transparent in detailing what materials each item is made from, including any applicable certifications. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Circus provides relatively high levels of transparency about their processes, as every item is designed by their team in Dublin, Ireland, and manufactured by their partner factory in India. They don’t yet publish an annual report on the social or environmental aspects of their brand, which would help to improve their transparency further. Without this, it is somewhat difficult to determine the brand’s true sustainability efforts.