For their clothing collection KUMI works with a local workshop in Mallorca, where they do the printing and embroidery of their sweatshirts and bags. The local aspect makes it easier for the brand to oversee ethical workplace practices, even though being located in the EU ensures that the facility follows strict EU production standards regardless. These garments supposedly have the GOTS, Oeko Tex, and Fair Wear certificate, which guarantees that the garments have been made ethically, and in a factory that complies with human and labour rights. Certifications, however, still need to be verified.
KUMI’s clothing line is designed with environmental considerations at the forefront, utilizing organic cotton and recycled polyester, which both reduce the environmental impact compared to conventional materials. The use of suede raises some clarification questions, however, as KUMI is known as a vegan brand.
The brand’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices extends to its packaging. All orders are shipped in recycled boxes sealed with non-toxic, water-activated tape that uses soy-based inks. Additional packaging components, including tissue paper, hangtags, postcards, and stickers, are also made from recycled and home-compostable materials, further demonstrating KUMI’s dedication to minimizing its environmental footprint.
KUMI manufactures shoes and clothing from relatively sustainable materials. Some of their products are even made of monomaterial garments, but most of them are made from a mix of different materials, such as organic cotton with recycled polyester, making it difficult to recycle the products after use.
However, KUMI consciously designs to achieve zero waste in the manufacture of its products and makes efforts to raise awareness among its customers to extend the life span of the products.
KUMI operates its clothing production through a local workshop in Mallorca, where the brand’s HQ and founders reside. This strategic choice significantly reduces transportation emissions associated with the movement of goods, as the proximity minimizes the need for involving air or sea freight.
KUMI is a vegan brand! All its materials are free of animal products.
One of the pillars of the brand is to help achieve a society where the rights of animals are respected so that they can have a dignified life, free of exploitation, mistreatment and experimentation.
For this reason, they collaborate with the Fundación para el Asesoramiento y Acción en Defensa de los Animales (FAADA) so that they can continue with their mission to achieve a society where coexistence between all living beings is based on respect, and they also collaborate with La Lliga per a la Protecció d’Animals i Plantes de Barcelona, a sanctuary that takes in abandoned, homeless and/or mistreated animals until they find the perfect family to spend the rest of their lives with.
They also have the “PETA-Approved Vegan” certificate, which accredits them as a vegan brand.
KUMI embraces the principles of slow fashion with its collection of basic, neutral, and timeless styles designed to withstand the fast-changing trends of the fashion industry. The brand’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its production strategy; some designs are never restocked, which helps to avoid overproduction and keeps clothes from ending up in landfills.
Aware of the growing issues related to mass production and consumption in the fashion industry, KUMI actively chooses to produce on demand. This approach allows for the creation of small quantities of high-quality clothing and footwear.
KUMI is recognized for its transparency in its operations and manufacturing processes. The brand has openly communicated with the COSH! team, providing detailed insights into their production practices. This level of openness not only fosters trust with consumers but also sets a standard in the fashion industry for transparency. That being said, the transparency could be taken a few steps further with added clarification regarding some materials, as well as transportation methods.
Conclusion
KUMI stands out as a model for conscious fashion, with its commitment to producing basic, neutral, and timeless pieces that advocate for slow fashion principles. The brand’s approach to manufacturing on demand, using relatively more sustainable materials, and maintaining high levels of transparency with its production processes exemplifies its dedication to ethical practices and environmental stewardship. Their products can be found at the points of sale listed below.
