Infantium Victoria

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Belgium
• Germany
• Portugal
• India 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

Infantium Victoria places great importance on every step of its creation process. Every pattern is handcrafted by Atelier D’andt in Vilvoorde, Belgium. The production of the designs is then carried out in Germany, Portugal, and India. The brand is selective about its partners, only choosing those who meet strict criteria. 

Infantium Victoria goes the extra mile to make sure everyone involved in making their clothes is treated fairly. Since their launch, they have been paying above living wages to all their staff, and monitoring the wages of their immediate subcontractors. Not all subcontractors are currently paying living wages, but Infantium Victoria states that they are working to achieve this. 

Infantium Victoria has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) since 2019, solidifying their commitment to organic and socially responsible practices. 

MATERIALS 

• Organic cotton
• Elastane 
• Weganool vegan wool alternative 
• Organic linen 

Infantium Victoria is about more than just dressing your child in style; it’s about caring for the future of our planet. The brand primarily uses plant-based materials, and the collection is predominantly made of GOTS-certified organic cotton.

Infantium Victoria sometimes adds organic linen to their collection. This choice is more eco-friendly, as flax cultivation doesn’t need chemicals and benefits the local ecosystem by improving biodiversity and soil health. 

Infantium Victoria states that they are striving to eliminate plastic from all their garments. They have gradually removed all plastic components, replacing virgin polyester with recycled alternatives as an intermediate solution. This attention to detail is showcased by their use of coconut shell buttons for some of their garments. 

PACKAGING 

Infantium Victoria states that they typically reuse incoming cardboard boxes or opt for standard FSC-certified boxes for shipments. They deliberately avoid reusable polybags, and their customers have never received any plastic packaging. All tape and envelopes are paper based, and the brand has continued to push for a shift to plastic-free packaging from their suppliers. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

As Infantium Victoria is GOTS-certified, and primarily uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, you can be assured that their products are free from harmful chemicals. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is rigorous in checking the entire production process, especially the use of chemicals. Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals or pesticides, and also requires less water to produce than conventional cotton. 

Infantium Victoria also offers a range of clothing that is naturally dyed. The natural dyes used include madder, indigo, turmeric, and even organic onions. Natural dyes go a step further than the GOTS certification as they guarantee that no chemicals are used, and the potential of water pollution from textile dyeing is eliminated. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Infantium Victoria incorporates zero-waste and circular principles in their design process. In 2019, they introduced zero-waste design models, combining patchwork techniques and upcycling to reduce leftover fabric. By 2024, they collaborated with Iro Iro, focusing on reworking the cutting scraps generated in their Indian facilities. The brand have also been accumulating around 500 kg of cutting waste at their European production site, with the long-term goal of repurposing it into new creations. 

The brands states that over time they transitioned to monomaterials to enhance recyclability and simplify material processing. They also take care of the smaller details, and use plant-based sewing threads! 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Infantium Victoria has advanced its commitment to circular fashion with a re-sale platform for pre-loved clothing. This initiative gives garments a second chance, whilst reducing the demand for new resources. Each garment is inspected, cleaned, and repaired if necessary, before being re-sold. 

Infantium Victoria have also introduced the Preloved Marketplace in collaboration with Brandback, based in Berlin. This allows customers to trade items directly among themselves, and is currently available in continental Europe. 

They also offer repair assistance, and even yarn and fabric pieces, so that you can help your little one can enjoy their outfit for as long as possible. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations:

• Belgium 
• Germany 
• Portugal
• India 

Infantium Victoria aims to keep their supply chain short, working primarily with manufacturing partners in Europe. The majority of their fabric suppliers are also located in Europe.

An exception to Infantium Victoria’s European-focused supply chain is their collaboration with production workshops and Weganool producer FABORG in India. This increases the length and complexity of their supply chain, and the associated emissions as the materials have to travel further to reach consumers. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Infantium Victoria states that they have not been able to utilise boat transport until now due to the low volume of their shipments, and instead had to rely on air freight. They have not yet been able to offset supply chain emissions, but have offsetted those for air freight for individual shipments crossing continents to customers. 

The brand states that they are aiming to avoid air freight for samples in the future by using pictures, and online calls, and combining sample discussion with business travel. 

As a vegan company with the PETA Approved Vegan certification, Infantium Victoria state that they have integrated strict animal welfare policies into their operations and supply chain. 

Infantium Victoria collaborates with the Indian company FABORG to offer soft, non-wool knitwear. FABORG developed ​‘Weganool,’ a vegan, plant-based wool alternative. This innovative fabric is made with organic cotton and the fibres from the Calotropis Gigantea plant. Infantium Victoria states that because Calotropis is a weed that requires no water or fertiliser to grow, the production of 1kg of Weganool yarn saves 9000 litres of water! 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Infantium Victoria uses premium fabrics and production techniques for durable clothing, to ensure that their clothes are built to last. What’s more, as their thoughtful designs last longer than one season, these clothes are perfect to pass onto younger siblings. 

The brand’s collections are unique, blending avant-garde design with practicality. The designs by Julia and Dinie are influenced by romantic and nostalgic themes, setting the brand apart from mainstream fast-fashion in both style and company management. 

Infantium Victoria states that their children’s clothing has been designed with a focus on size inclusivity, ensuring each piece can adapt to different shapes and sizes. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

As Infantium Victoria does not produce made to order clothing, there is a sales section on their website. However, some of their items state that they are limited edition, suggesting that Infantium Victoria takes care not to overproduce. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

Infantium Victoria aims for high levels of transparency. On each product page, the materials used are stated, as well as the production location; including the name of the facility and what certifications they hold, to provide assurance that they are more ethically made. Infantium Victoria then takes this a step further by detailing the craftsmanship behind each garment. They state how long each step takes, from the designing of the garment, to pattern making and garment construction. This connects customers to the full process behind their garment, with the aim of teaching children about responsibility, kindness, and sustainability too. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

On their website, Infantium Victoria has published a list of all their immediate suppliers, aiming to provide insight on where their products are made. However, the brand has faced difficulties in uncovering information beyond Tier 1. They state that they aim to explore new traceability options, or revisit their collaboration with Retraced.