Feuervogl

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Turkey 
• Tunisia 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

Feuervogl states that personal contact is important to them. They therefore work with only a few select, long-standing partners, whom they claim to normally visit every 10 – 12 weeks. Additionally, Feuervogl’s certifications such as GOTS require that their production partners work according to strict social criteria, verified through annual on-site audits. 

In 2019, Feuervogl was one of the first companies whose products received the ​‘Grüner Knopf’ textile seal. They state that although they sometimes exceed the seal’s demanding criteria, they support its goals and believe it’s an important step in the right direction. 

In 2023, Feuervogl joined Fashion Revolution’s ​‘Who Made My Clothes’ campaign, drawing attention to the processes behind the production of clothing, and the ethical issues that are often apparent in the fast fashion industry. 

MATERIALS 

• Organic cotton
• Linen
• Hemp
• Elastane
• Recycled elastane 

Feuervogl’s entire production chain is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, and the brand primarily uses certified organic cotton. This is sometimes combined with smaller percentages of elastane and hemp for improved comfort.

Feuervogl often uses linen for their non-denim products such as trousers and dresses. Linen is a plant-based fabric, derived from the stalks of the flax plant. It is typically viewed as a more sustainable alternative to cotton, as it requires fewer pesticides to produce.

PACKAGING 

Feuervogl does not disclose what packaging materials are used in their supply chain or for e‑commerce. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Feuervogl is a GOTS certified brand. Their cotton is always certified organic, which requires less water to grow than conventional cotton, and is produced without any harmful chemicals or pesticides. Additionally, GOTS prohibits the use of harmful chemicals in the processing of textiles, and all dyes and additives are tested and approved before use. To finish the denim, Feuervogl states that they use a more environmentally friendly ozone treatment that saves water and does not use any harmful substances.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Some of Feuervogl’s products are material blends which decreases the likelihood that they will be able to be recycled at the end of their lifespan. For example, they offer Hemp Denim products, made with 95% organic cotton, 4.4% hemp, and 0.6% elastane. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Feuervogl does not currently share any circular business models on their website such as a repair service or return scheme. Unfortunately this increases the likelihood that these products will become waste at the end of their lifespans.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Feuervogl’s headquarters are located in Germany, and the brand offers shipping within Europe. As the brand works with production partners in Tunisia and Turkey, their overall supply chain is relatively long and complex. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Feurvogl does not disclose what transportation methods are used within their supply chain. Due to the length of their supply chain, transportation-related emissions are increased. 

Feuervogl makes no claims about the use of animal products, but deliberately avoids leather and instead uses a vegan alternative made from apples for the patches on their jeans. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

The brand focuses on high-quality and timeless, simple design, which means that their clothing is more likely to be kept in use for longer. In addition, care instructions and washing tips can be found on the product pages for each item of clothing.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Feuervogl does not support promotional days, such as Black Friday, and even plants trees for every product ordered throughout the year. They do however have a sales page on their website, and sell previous year’s items and remaining stock at their warehouse sales, as their items are not made-to-order. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

Unfortunately the product pages on Feuervogl’s website lack transparency. Although the materials used are stated, the countries they were sourced from are not listed. Additionally, the production countries are only provided on a general information page, not for specific items. This makes it difficult to know where your specific purchase was produced, or the processes behind it. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Some of Feuervogl’s employees from their production facilities are shown in pictures on the website, which helps to improve their transparency. COSH! also appreciates the open approach of the brand, which clearly communicates that planting trees will not save the climate, but is merely a sensible measure to help regulate it.

However, Feuervogl does not publish an annual report on the social or environmental aspects of their brand, so it is difficult to determine their true sustainability efforts accurately.