Closed

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Italy
• Turkey
• Portugal
• China
• Romania
• Lithuania
• Bulgaria

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

In 2024, Closed produced mainly in Europe (almost 90%), with a focus on Italy (34%), Turkey (31%), Portugal (15%), Romania (8%) and smaller shares in Lithuania/​Bulgaria (2%). Outside Europe, China (10%) remains relevant.

According to the Fair Wear Check, Closed has initiated an exit process in China, with production reportedly ending by 2025.

Closed has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2021. This involves regular independent audits at partner facilities, use of the Fair Wear complaints system, transparent reporting, and alignment with the eight Fair Wear labour standards (including no child or forced labour, freedom of association, the goal of living wages, reasonable working hours, workplace safety, and legally binding employment relationships).

Regarding materials and chemicals, Closed refers to standards such as GOTS, OCS and GRS, as well as frameworks like ZDHC and REACH. For animal fibres, the brand requires mulesing-free wool.

In addition, Closed has not used fur since 2014, is part of the ​“Fur Free Retailer” programme by FOUR PAWS, and supports the initiative ​“Brands Against Mulesing”.

According to the Fair Wear Performance Check, Closed works with around 30 direct suppliers and focuses on long-term partnerships. Reportedly, 99% of the production volume comes from business relationships that have existed for at least five years. Closed states that it visits production facilities regularly.

Within the framework of Fair Wear membership, Closed describes various measures for safe and fairer working conditions. These include audits, corrective action plans with improvement measures, a clearly designated person responsible for Fair Wear topics, a monthly cross-departmental CSR task force, and risk analyses for individual production sites.

At the same time, the Fair Wear report also indicates that Closed is not yet able to systematically demonstrate the link between purchasing prices and wage levels.

According to Closed, unsold goods are not destroyed but donated to a Chilean charity organisation, whose proceeds support a music school for children in need.

The Code of Conduct establishes diversity, inclusion and a ban on discrimination as core principles.

MATERIALS

• Cotton (conventional)
• Organic cotton
• Regenerative cotton
• Recycled cotton (pre- & post-consumer, incl. PCR)
• Wool
• Organic wool
• Recycled wool
• Mulesing-free merino wool
• Cashmere
• Organic cashmere
• Alpaca
• Mohair
• Linen
• Hemp
• Lyocell (e.g. TENCEL™, TENCEL™ REFIBRA™)
• Viscose (e.g. LENZING™ ECOVERO™)
• Modal (e.g. LENZING™ Modal)
• Veocel
• Silk (Crêpe de Chine)
• Polyester
• Recycled polyester
• Polyamide / Nylon
• Recycled polyamide / Nylon
• Polyurethane
• Elastane
• Recycled elastane
• Biodegradable elastane (ROICA™ V550)
• Leather (vegetable-tanned, chrome-free)
• Lambskin (by-product of the food industry)

Closed classifies materials as ​“eco-friendly” primarily when they consist of at least 50% ​“preferred” sources, such as organic, recycled or regenerative fibres.

The company works with a broad material portfolio ranging from natural fibres and cellulosic fibres to selected synthetic materials.

PACKAGING

Closed does not provide information on packaging.

WATER USE & CHEMICALS

With the denim line A BETTER BLUE introduced in 2018, the brand states that water, energy and chemicals are saved along the entire production chain. This is achieved through gentle washing techniques (including laser processes, partly without water), innovative dyeing technologies such as the patented Kitotex® technology, and close cooperation with Italian partners that operate their own water treatment facilities. For other product categories, no comparably detailed information on water use is provided.

In the area of chemical management, Closed states that all production partners are subject to strict requirements. Chemicals (e.g. for dyeing and washing processes) must comply with REACH and ZDHC standards, and regular laboratory tests are carried out by independent bodies to control harmful substances. For leather and lambskin, Closed states that it uses vegetable, chrome-free tanning with biodegradable substances. The brand also refers to chemical reduction through material choices, such as the use of organic, regenerative and recycled fibres.

Closed does not provide specific information on microplastic release. Although recycled synthetic fibres (e.g. polyester, polyamide, elastane) are used and partly supplemented with potentially biodegradable elastane (ROICA™ V550), no concrete measures to prevent or measure microplastic emissions during washing are described.

There is also no detailed information on printing techniques outside of denim or on bleaching effects in other product categories.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Closed uses both mono-fibres and fibre blends, which make recycling more difficult.

A take-back system is not mentioned, nor is a repair service. Instead, Closed states that it does not destroy products but sells remaining stock via sales, outlets or factory sales and subsequently donates it to a Chilean charity organisation that sells the clothing and uses the proceeds to support a music school for children in need.

Closed mentions the use of recycled materials such as recycled cotton, wool, cashmere, recycled nylon/​polyamide and partly recycled polyester. For denim, post-consumer recycled cotton is used.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

There is no indication that Closed offers a repair service. Instead, the brand provides care instructions for denim, knitwear, leather, lambskin and silk to extend the lifespan of garments.

A dedicated take-back system for worn clothing is not communicated. Other circular business models such as rental, resale or an official recommerce programme are also not mentioned.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Italy
• TurkeyPortugal
• Romania
• China
• Lithuania
• Bulgaria

The Closed headquarters is located in Hamburg, Germany.

TRANSPORT

• Closed states that most production takes place in Europe in order to keep transport distances short. According to the brand, products are not transported by air but via land routes.
• No information is provided on shipping methods in e‑commerce.

• Wool
• Cashmere
• Alpaca
• Mohair
• Leather
• Lambskin

Closed accepts only mulesing-free wool and requires a purchasing declaration including the origin of the raw material. Specific countries are not named.

Closed lists cashmere, alpaca and mohair but does not provide concrete information on countries of origin.

For shoes, leather from tanneries in Tuscany (Italy) is mentioned. For bags and accessories, leather from tanneries in Italy or Portugal is described. Leather bags are produced in Portugal. Closed also communicates that leather is a by-product of the food industry.

According to the brand, lambskin comes from the Spanish tannery La Doma and is also a by-product of the food industry.

Closed uses Crêpe de Chine silk from Hangzhou (China).

Closed states that it has not used real fur since 2014 and is part of the ​“Fur Free Retailer” programme (FOUR PAWS).

In addition, the company supports the initiative ​“Brands Against Mulesing” (FOUR PAWS) and works towards ensuring that yarns and fabrics made of wool or containing wool are certified and mulesing-free; the minimum standard cited is mulesing-free (certified).

For animal fibres, Closed requires seasonal assurances from fabric and yarn suppliers that they originate from farms complying with internationally recognised production guidelines (appropriate animal welfare), as well as proof of origin for wool and wool blends.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Closed produces timeless, contemporary clothing and accessories such as shoes, bags and other leather accessories for women and men.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Closed works with four seasons per year.

The company participates in sales.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

On product pages, customers can find information on material composition, care instructions, fit and size, as well as the country of production. These details are often complemented by descriptive information on cut or workmanship.

However, full product-specific traceability along the entire supply chain, for example back to raw material extraction, spinning or dyeing, is not systematically disclosed on product pages. An exception is the denim line A BETTER BLUE, where details on materials as well as dyeing and washing processes are communicated directly on the product.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

At a general level, the brand publishes extensive content on responsibility and material topics, including an annual sustainability report and a social report as part of its Fair Wear membership.

In addition, Closed lists its production partners on its website and emphasises long-term relationships as well as regular visits to partner facilities.

The company also refers to audits, training programmes and risk analyses in the production countries.