Komodo

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Nepal
• China
• Italy
• Tunisia
• Indonesia
• India

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES

Komodo originally produced their garments in mostly medium-sized, family run businesses in Kathmandu, Bali, and India. They have been working with some of these factories since the early days of the brand, and the factories have grown along with the brand, shaping each other over the years into the businesses they are today. They are proud to have strong relations with the facilities, and also supposedly have low employee drop-out rates. After the Nepal earthquake, they have also added China to their production facilities as well, in order to relieve pressure on Nepal’s facility. Some of their product descriptions also mention to be made in Italy, however there are no more details given regarding this. 

The brand has a strict social criteria and code of conduct for all their suppliers in accordance with the ILO (International Labour Conventions) regarding employment ethics, exploitation, discrimination, hygiene, safety, and added benefits. The details of the code of conduct are readily found on their website. Regular inspections of these facilities are carried out by third party certifiers like UL Solutions, and a majority of the factories hold certifications like SA8000 and GOTS, which are renowned certification bodies that establish standards the facilities should maintain. However, they have not mentioned the details of how many or which suppliers are certified, which makes it difficult to fully verify their social responsibility. 

The brand’s longstanding relationships with their partners in Kathmandu and Java helps them support the local communities and important social projects such as the Tibet Relief Fund. Komodo used a sales event to raise the money to build a school on the border of Nepal, that was destroyed in the earthquakes of 2015. They also support the Sunrise Orphanage in Kathmandu, which was massively affected by these earthquakes. They also have many past projects that can be found on their website. 

MATERIALS

• GOTS-certified cotton
• Hemp
• Wool
• Bamboo
• Rayon
• Recycled cotton
• Lenzing viscose
• Vegan leather-imitation (corn waste)
• Rubber
• Banana canvas
• PET recycled polyester
• Tencel
• Coconut shell (for buttons)
   

Komodo proudly claims that all their products are made from sustainable fabrics. All their cotton is organic, and the garments are GOTS certified, which as mentioned before, makes sure the product was made sustainably through the entire supply chain, and does not have a harsh impact on the environment. 
Their Hemp material is also supposed to be GOTS certified, however this is not mentioned on product descriptions, so it is unclear whether all their hemp products are GOTS certified. However, in general, Hemp is a more sustainable material than it’s substitutes such as cotton. 

They also use wool, which while not certified organic yet. But they do claim to have the Woolmark certification, which ensures highest quality products. They also claim to use recycled wool for some of their products. In addition to this, Komodo uses linen, but whether their linen is 100% organic is inconsistent on the website. 

Apart from that, they also use semi-synthetic materials such as Bamboo and Rayon, both made from tree products and hence biodegradable and have a low impact on the environment. They use Cupro, the details of which are not provided, however generally Cupro is made from recycled cotton fabrics, which makes them a sustainable fabric. The brand also uses Lenzing Modal which is made from wood pulp, and is certified by many well known external certification organizations to be sustainable. 
For their footwear, the brand uses Vegan Leather made from cornwaste, natural rubber, and Abacá banana canvas, which is a completely biodegradable material produced from banana plants.

Komodo also uses Lenzing Viscose, which is certified to have a smaller impact on the environment than its conventional alternatives, and recycled polyester and recycled PET (from water bottles), for which certification is not mentioned. They also use Tencel, which is more sustainable due to it’s closed loop production method. In their footwear they use upcycled tyre rubber, recycled foam insoles, and a recycled PU footbed, however certifications for these are not mentioned.

Their haberdashery is also said to be sustainable, using coconut buttons and recycled PET shoelaces. The brand also produces in small batches to avoid overproduction and minimise waste, and their packaging is recycled/​recyclable and is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved, meaning they were sourced without harm to forests. They claim to have eliminated the single use plastic from their supply chain.

As a member of 1% for the Planet, Komodo donates to the Sumatran Orangutan Society to restore natural rainforests and ecosystems. They also worked with their Nepali knitting factory to switch to solar power, and require all their facilities to reduce waste and recycle in accordance with Komodo’s policies. They mention the use of cargo freights for shipping within the supply chain, which reduces CO2 emissions from transport, however they don’t mention anything about their ecommerce shipping methods. 

PACKAGING 

Komodo uses FSC-certified, recycled, and recyclable packaging, and states they have eliminated single-use plastics from its supply chain.

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

While specific certifications or limits on chemical usage and water consumption are not detailed for all fabrics, Komodo requires factories to follow sustainability guidelines, recycle waste, and reduce environmental impacts. Solar power is used in their Nepali knitting facility.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Many Komodo garments are mono-material or include recycled fabrics, supporting end-of-life recycling. There is no public information made available on repair, resale, or take-back services.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

The brand does not mention any other circularity efforts such as repair/​resale or take-back services. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

• Production locations: Nepal, China, Italy, Tunisia, Indonesia, India
• Komodo’s HQ is located in London, UK

TRANSPORTATION 

• Komodo is located in London, and its production is done in Nepal, India, Bali, China, Tunisia, and Italy, making the production chain quite long.
• By transporting their materials using cargo ships, the brand reduces the impact of the transport emissions on the environment. 

• Wool

This brand claims to have mostly vegan products, however they do also use wool material supposedly sourced from mulesing-free countries. They do not have an animal welfare statement on their website, however they contribute to animal welfare by helping the endangered Sumatran Orangutans find shelter in restored forests. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Komodo started in London with using old discarded jeans to make a patchwork jacket, and later grew into the brand it is now, selling clothes that embody the spirit of freedom. Their wool garments are the definition of slow-fashion, being hand-knitted and hand finished in their factory in Kathmandu, their minor variations giving them individuality. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Komodo follows a slow fashion approach, producing garments in small batches to minimize overproduction and waste. They maintain a steady collection to which new designs are gradually added over time. Most of their wool garments are hand-knitted and hand-finished in their Kathmandu facility, giving each piece subtle variations. The brand participates in occasional sales events, often using them to support social initiatives such as raising funds for community projects. While Komodo does not offer fully made-to-order or made-to-measure services, the focus on smaller quantity in production approach ensures careful planning and longevity items that are released.

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

Product pages detail material composition, certifications (GOTS, Woolmark), and sometimes production country. Vegan status is specified for relevant products, but not all items provide consistent traceability, especially for jewelry or items labeled as made in Italy

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Komodo shares its sustainability code of conduct and certifications but lacks full disclosure on chemical use, water management, or detailed supply chain traceability. Despite this, their commitment to ethical practices and sustainable materials is evident.