Ida & Volta

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Belgium 
• Portugal
• India 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

Ida & Volta state that they only choose suppliers who are transparent about their production and are very critical when it comes to labour conditions and the remuneration of farmers and textile workers. 

A large part of the process is completely under their own control: design, pattern making, the making of prototypes, and a great deal of needle-work is done by Ida & Volta in their studio. Some sewing is also outsourced to the social workshop at the ​‘De Vaartkapoen’ Community Centre in Brussels. Currently, part of their production is also being done in Portugal, and their silk is woven in India. 

The handwoven silk they use is part of the ​‘Paces Crafts’ project in India, which creates employment opportunities for local weavers and underprivileged women living in rural Ranchi. 

MATERIALS 

• Linen
• Wool
• Hemp 
• Peace silk 
• Tencel 
• Recycled cashmere 
• Recycled silver 
• Upcycled materials 

To have as little impact on the environment as possible, Ida & Volta opts for natural materials. The Belgian brand works with suppliers that offer transparency about their production processes, preferring local producers.

A commonly used material in the Ida & Volta collection is linen. This is a natural material whose manufacturing and cultivation has little impact on the planet. Ida & Volta uses Belgian linen, from the family business Libeco. 

You will also find some wool clothing in the collection. Their virgin wool is sourced from the small Burel factory in Portugal, whereas the recycled cashmere is sourced from an Italian family business, located in Tuscany. 

Ida & Volta also offers some upcycled pieces made from repurposed old materials. Their winter coat, for example, is made from an old sleeping bag. 

If they can’t find a supplier for fabrics which align with their principles, Ida & Volta temporarily choose to purchase overstock fabrics from other designers as an alternative. 

The brand also takes care when sourcing their haberdashery. They use buttons made from the Corozo or Tagua nut. Corozo is a 100% natural product, also known as ​‘vegetable ivory’. They have also chosen to use Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton stitching thread because, unlike polyester thread, it is potentially biodegradable in nature. 

PACKAGING 

The tags and packaging are all either recycled or recyclable. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Ida & Volta state that all their textiles have been dyed according to the latest European regulations. They explain that they are committed to looking into this process even more in the future, perhaps by experimenting with natural dyes themselves. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

The brand values circularity and therefore makes each garment from a single material. This way, after a good life, the piece can be given a second chance by being recycled. The brand ensures that every component of the garment, including labels and stitching threads, are natural and recyclable.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

If you’re looking for a special garment for a one-time occasion, why not consider renting instead? Ida & Volta has collaborated with Dressr. to make this possible! This way, you only need to buy what is necessary, helping to reduce the brand’s use of raw materials and the likelihood of excess waste being generated. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Production locations: 

• Belgium 
• Portugal
• India

Ida & Volta is very transparent about their production processes on their website, which allows for a more accurate assessment of the overall length and complexity of their supply chain. Many of their materials are sourced from within Europe, such as their Portuguese wool, Belgian linen, and recycled cashmere from Italy. Likewise, their overstock fabrics are sourced from the Belgian supplier ​‘The Fabric Sales’. In fact, the brand states that 80% of their materials are grown locally in and around Belgium. Additionally, the brand only distributes within Europe, and currently only in Belgium. 

However, some of their materials are sourced from outside of Europe, adding length to their overall supply chain. The Corozo nut buttons are sourced from Panama, and the peace silk is sourced from and dyed in India. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Ida & Volta does not disclose what transportation methods they use, but by mostly producing locally in Belgium they aim to reduce their transportation-related emissions. 

• Wool 
• Peace silk 
• Leather 

Ida & Volta sets themselves high standards for animal-wellbeing. They buy their wool directly from small farmers, or use recycled wool. When they use leather, it is upcycled from leather coats that they take apart. 

In conventional silk production, the silk worms are boiled alive to obtain the silk threads. Ida & Volta state that they only support the production of peace silk, which is made without killing the worm. This means waiting until the moth emerges before harvesting the cocoons. During their research, they found sources suggesting that the Eri silkworm is overbred, rendering the moth unable to support itself after emerging and causing it to die soon after mating. They state that they have found no evidence to confirm this, but are committed to investigating and communicating honestly about it. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Ida & Volta explain that unlike our grandparents, we’re no longer accustomed to investing time in the care of our clothes. Yet, it remains important to cherish beautiful purchases and treat them with respect to preserve their beauty and extend their lifespan. They therefore provide care instructions for each of their materials on their website. 

What’s more, they aim to design timeless clothing for all ages and body types, regardless of the fashion trends. All their materials are carefully selected for beauty, quality, wearing comfort, and durability. Starting from a meaningful design process, paying attention to detail and finishing touches, Ida & Volta aim to emphasise craftsmanship and inspire their customers to cherish their garments for as long as possible. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Ida & Volta works with small stocks, with many designs being made only after you order it. This way, the brand is sure to avoid unnecessary stocks and overproduction. Moreover, it also allows you to have a garment made to measure! 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

The product pages on Ida & Volta’s website present a varying picture of their transparency efforts. Some state what material was used, where it was sourced from, and where the final product was manufactured. This level of transparency is important for consumers to understand exactly what they are buying, and how it was made. Unfortunately, some product pages do not state the production location, and others do not state where the material was sourced from either. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Ida & Volta state that they are on a mission to work with materials that can be traced all the way back to their origins. Their website therefore provides detailed information about the sourcing of each of their raw materials, sometimes even providing images to help explain how they are processed into their fabrics. 

On the ​‘Ethical Production’ section of their website, Ida & Volta also provides an insight into their production processes. They explain that a large part of their production is done in their own studio, whilst the rest is outsourced to people that they know and trust.