HABIBA

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• India

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

HABIBA’s production takes place in New Delhi, India, where the label works with only a few family-run businesses that they have known for over 25 years. This close and long-standing relationship reduces the risk of exploitation and fosters a high level of trust, even though India is generally associated with challenges such as labour rights, low wages and limited freedom of association.
Further advantages of production there include artisanal expertise, particularly in quilting, embroidery and patchwork, as well as the ability to integrate traditional techniques into the collections.

As many details are made by hand, this is an artisanal, craft-based production.

MATERIALS

• Organic cotton
• RWS-certified wool

What are the advantages of organic cotton? 
Here you can find out whether wool is sustainable.

PACKAGING

• The brand places great importance on plastic-free packaging for all e‑commerce orders. The packaging materials used are reused, recycled, recyclable or compostable. Unnecessary outer packaging is avoided in order to make shipments as resource-efficient as possible.
• This approach is also followed within the supply chain: packaging is kept to a minimum, and plastic-free materials are preferred wherever feasible.

WATER USE & CHEMICALS

The textiles are dyed with azo-free dyes, and traditional hand-dyeing and hand-printing techniques are used, which result in a lower environmental impact.

As no synthetic fabrics are used, no microplastics are released during washing.

Bleaching processes are not used in production. By exclusively using natural fibres such as organic cotton and wool, the overall chemical load is reduced.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

According to its own statements, HABIBA mostly uses mono-fibres, meaning the products are generally more potentially recyclable.

There is currently no formal take-back or repair system. However, the brand emphasises the durability and timelessness of its products, which are not trend-driven.

HABIBA encourages customers to care for and repair their garments in order to extend their lifespan and is working on expanding relevant care and repair guidance. A resale or reuse programme is being considered as a possible future initiative.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

HABIBA currently does not offer a repair service and does not collaborate with external repair workshops. There is also no take-back system for used or worn items. Other circular business models such as rental, resale or systematic repair services do not currently exist.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• New Delhi, India (production with a few family-run businesses)
• Copenhagen, Denmark (design studio and development)
• The HABIBA HQ is located in Copenhagen, Denmark.

TRANSPORT

• HABIBA has its production carried out in India and relies on sea freight to reduce CO₂ emissions compared to air freight. By working with a small number of long-term partner businesses, transport can be better planned and consolidated.
• For shipping to end customers, HABIBA uses standard postal services and aims to bundle shipments to keep the environmental impact of transport routes as low as possible.

• RWS-certified wool

The Responsible Wool Standard ensures that the wool comes from sheep that are kept according to animal welfare standards and that grazing land is managed more responsibly. The standard covers aspects such as animal welfare, traceability and environmental management along the entire supply chain.

PRODUCT DESIGN

HABIBA offers products for adults, including clothing, accessories and home textiles such as quilts and cushions.
The overall style is playful, colourful and detail-rich, featuring patterns and artisanal elements.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

HABIBA releases two new collections per year, characterised by changing patterns and colours that can be combined with earlier designs.

A made-to-measure or made-to-order service is not offered.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

On HABIBA’s product pages, information is provided on materials, care instructions, sizing and the country of production. This is complemented by styling tips, fit information and details on shipping and returns.

Customers can see where the product was made, but detailed information about the specific workshop or production chain is not available. Full product traceability to the producer is therefore not provided.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

HABIBA provides general information on its website about production processes and collaboration with a small number of family-run producers in India. The brand emphasises its long-standing relationship with these workshops but does not disclose detailed names, addresses or specific insights into the supply chain.

An annual report on social or environmental aspects is not published.