Elvine

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• China
• Portugal
• Turkey
• Italy 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES

Elvine does not have its own manufacturing facilities, but works closely with a small group of carefully selected suppliers and partners, most of whom have made long-term commitments. This strategic approach has enabled them to maintain their ethical principles consistently, as their partners align with their values and comply with international standards.

They are fully aware that their human rights, environmental and social responsibilities extend throughout the value chain. That is why, when selecting new partners, they signed a mutual Code of Conduct agreement, which includes areas such as working conditions, human rights, environmental and health responsibilities.

MATERIALS 

• Polyester 
• Recycled polyester
• Cotton
• Lyocell 
• Nylon 
• Modal 
• Linen 

Elvine is constantly seeking improvements to its material choices. Their jackets sometimes feature a down imitation padding called Thermore Ecodown, made from recycled PET bottles. Other padding materials are also primarily supplied by Thermore, and consist of a large percentage of recycled material. Elvine is aiming to increase the proportion of recycled materials used in the future. Recycled polyester is not the most sustainable material, and still has an environmental impact which you can find out more about here. 

The brand also uses other materials such as cotton or lyocell for some of their other garments. They aim to ensure that their fabrics are always high-quality, to guarantee durability. Unfortunately, the brand still relies quite heavily on synthetic materials, which will never be biodegradable in nature. They are also not always recycled, and their sourcing therefore has a negative environmental impact too. You can find out more here. 

PACKAGING 

Elvine does not disclose what packaging materials are used. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

The brand tries to avoid harmful chemicals and they phase out chemicals suspected of being toxic as soon as possible. They collaborate with the polymer and textile chemist, Stefan Posner, who keeps them up to date with new findings and possible risks.

Therefore, they have chosen not to use any kind of PFAS. Instead, they use Bionic Finish Eco from Rudolf Group, which is a unique, patented water repellent finish for textiles which does not contain any fluorinated substances. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Some of Elvine’s products are monomaterial, which facilitates recycling. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all the garments, many of which are composed of a mixture of materials, making them difficult to recycle. 

As a next step, the brand aims to design their garments in such a way that they can be easily upgraded with replacement parts. This will go a long way to making their products last even longer. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Repair not replace is Elvine’s philosophy. If the lifetime of your garments increases, the lifetime of their environmental footprint decreases. Elvine does not offer a repair service, but recommends finding yourself a tailor so that you can enjoy your purchases for longer. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• China 
• Portugal
• Turkey
• Italy

With production spread across 4 different countries, this brand’s supply chain is long and relatively complex, meaning their transportation-related emissions will be higher. As the brand does not disclose where they source their raw materials from, an accurate estimation of their overall supply chain length cannot be determined. 

Elvine offers shipping within Europe, including Great Britain, Norway, and Switzerland. 

TRANSPORTATION 

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

• Wool 

Animal rights is another aspect of their more conscious material choices. Elvine is part of the Fur Free Retailer initiative, so of course, they do not use fur, down, angora, and leather in their products.

While they incorporate wool in some of their garments, they apply strict criteria. When wool is used, it must be traceable and 100% mulesing-free, reflecting their commitment to ethical sourcing and animal welfare. Mulesing is a controversial practice in which a small portion of the sheep’s skin is removed to prevent parasitic infestations. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Elvine designs their clothes to be future-proof: timeless designs and high quality materials so that they last a long time and you’ll want to keep them for longer. 

The brand is renowned for its dislike of wear and tear as much as its love of style. That’s why they offer a detailed Jacket Care Guide on their website which contains some essential advice to extend the life of your Elvine jacket for as long as possible, while respecting the environment. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

As Elvine does not produce made-to-order garments, there is a sales section on their website. This suggests that their business model does not necessarily align with slow fashion principles. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

On each Elvine product page, you can find some information about materials, technical features, and care instructions. However, Elvine does not state the production country for individual products, so it will be difficult to find out where your specific purchase was made. Additionally, the brand does not disclose any information about the sourcing of their raw materials. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Although Elvine has a sustainability section on their website, they do not disclose details on their production processes. This does little to reassure us or consumers about their true sustainability practices.