Kuyichi

Kuyichi refuses to entrust the production of their materials and garments to just any producer. The brand meticulously selects factories that meet their stringent requirements and willingly adhere to Kuyichi’s own Code of Conduct. The brand is also an active member of the Fashion Revolution #whomademyclothes movement. The brand produces with partnering factories in Turkey and Pakistan and is a Fair Wear member.

Kuyichi denim represents a paradigm shift in eco-conscious fashion, boasting a variety of sustainable materials in its products. These include 100% organic cotton, Post-Consumer Recycled Cotton (PCRC), and REFIBRA™, blended with GRS (Global Recycling Standard) polyester and elastane for stretchability. In addition, the brand incorporates other sustainable materials such as Lenzing TENCEL™ Lyocell, TENCEL™ Modal, linen, hemp, and T400 ecomade (an innovation fibre from Lycra). It’s composed of one part recycled PET polyester, one part plant-based polymers, and one part virgin polyester. 

Since 2012, Kuyichi has been using recycled cotton in its denim fabrics. Cotton waste is captured or collected, shredded and re-spun into new one-of-a-kind yarn. The brand also integrates REFIBRA™ fibres. This technology is the first step for Lenzing towards a circular textile industry. These cellulosic fibres are made with the same award-winning closed-loop process as TENCEL Lyocell™ fibre. The REFIBRA™ technology upcycles cotton scraps from garment production and post-consumer cotton textiles into renewed fibres. The recycled cotton pulp - up to one-third – is added to certified wood pulp and used to produce new TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres. Unfortunately, garments that are comprised of mixed fibres are more difficult to recycle than monomaterials.

While the production process, spanning from fibre to fabric and garment, occurs locally, certain finishing touches like buttons and details are still sourced from distant countries. Kuyichi acknowledges this issue and aspires to achieve 100% local production. Though local transport is currently handled by trucks, international transportation, such as from Pakistan, necessitates shipping by boat.

Kuyichi’s belts are made of leather, which is strictly vegetable tanned. The leather supplier is Montana, a small tannery in Italy. The tannery carries the Consorzio Pelle al Vegetale (Genuine Italian Vegetable-Tanned Leather Consortium), the Leather Working Group certification and the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) certification. The brand’s patches are vegan from Italian-based and USDA-certified Panama trimmings. These green PU patches are made from 48% corn polyols, 26% cotton and normal PU – with no impact on the food chain. 

Where the hides are sourced from is not fully traceable and, therefore, animal welfare cannot be fully guaranteed. The tannery’s certifications are focused on environmental protection. According to PETA, the farms, how animals are kept, how they are transported and how they are killed play no role in the Leather Working Group certification.

With a commitment to slow fashion, Kuyichi sets the bar high, crafting jeans designed for longevity and employing only the finest quality fabrics. The brand also offers a detailed care guide of its products on its website.

To stay up-to-date with the evolving compositions, Kuyichi publishes an annual Sustainability Report on their website, providing comprehensive insights into the brand’s sustainability efforts. With complete transparency, Kuyichi proudly lists all the producers they collaborate with on their website in elaborate detail.