Mille Collines

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• South Africa

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES 

Mille Collines produces exclusively in Africa, with a focus on South Africa. The brand runs its own CMT (Cut, Make & Trim) department at its headquarters in Cape Town, which allows direct control over quality and working conditions. The ready-to-wear apparel is sewn in house by the brand’s own seamstresses.

The relationship with its partner artisans is described as close and long-term. The brand explicitly emphasises that fair remuneration and building strong, growing relationships are core values. Designs are developed in close collaboration with the artisans and adapted to their individual skills. Whether regular supplier visits take place is not explicitly mentioned, although the close collaboration suggests they do. With more than 35 makers mentioned by name, the number of partner makers is comparatively large and diverse.

The products combine traditional craftsmanship with machine and small-scale techniques, and human hands are part of every step. The signature Kichana wrap, for example, is machine-knitted by a husband-and-wife duo in Cape Town, while the Halisi shawl is woven on a jacquard loom. The brand works with talented local entrepreneurs and runs a showroom in Cape Town that serves as a community space for workshops, talks and events, with the aim of strengthening local communities around African design.

In terms of inclusivity, Mille Collines demonstrates its commitment through size-inclusive products (one-size-fits-all), styling tips for all body shapes and a diverse, predominantly female workforce. The brand consciously champions the empowerment of African women.

MATERIALS 

• Cotton yarn
• African cotton
• French linen

PACKAGING 

• The company relies mainly on custom packaging that varies by item ordered. This is usually made from garment offcuts or calico fabric, and it is deliberately designed so it can be re-used for another purpose rather than thrown away. 
• Their shopper bags are produced by a South African supplier that makes reusable bags from recycled plastic bottles.
• For shipping to customers in Europe, items are sent via DHL and FedEx and packed inside the courier’s standard flyer bag.

WATER USE & CHEMICALS 

A reactive dyeing process is used to dye the cotton yarn, meaning the wastewater is not contaminated with dyes after dyeing. As only natural fibres are used, there is no risk of microplastics.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

As Mille Collines uses only natural fibres and many of the products are made of mono-fibres, the products are in principle suitable for circularity. The brand designs timeless, trend-independent products that are meant to be worn for as long as possible and even passed on to future generations, which contributes to longevity.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL 

The company provides no information about a repair service. A take-back programme for worn or used garments is not mentioned either.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

• South Africa, Cape Town 
• Kenya, Nairobi
• Rwanda, Kigali
• Mille Collines is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. 

The supply chain is comparatively simple and transparent, as the brand produces mostly locally, in its own facilities or with closely collaborating partners.

TRANSPORT 

• Within South Africa, the supply chain transport is a mix of local collection or drop-off from suppliers (for nearby sourcing), and domestic freight for materials that are sourced from further afield within the country.
• For shipping to customers in Europe, the company uses the courier services DHL and FedEx.

The label does not use any animal fibres.

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Mille Collines primarily targets women and offers a diverse range that includes wraps and shawls, clothing such as dresses, coats and jumpers, as well as accessories and home products. Some styles are explicitly described as unisex. The brand focuses on size-inclusive designs: its signature products, the Kichana Wrap and the Halisi Shawl, are designed as one-size-fits-all. The brand provides styling tips for all body shapes.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Mille Collines does not follow a traditional seasonal collection rhythm. The brand deliberately designs timeless, trend-independent products. Some products are offered as made to order. This indicates that the brand partly produces on demand, which reduces overproduction.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE PRODUCT 

On some product pages, the supply chain is presented very transparently: material, country of production, partner producer, yarn source, dye house and care instructions. In addition, the production process is explained step by step, from the cotton to the yarn and the dyeing through to the knitting. 
On other product pages, however, this information is almost entirely missing. 

Traceability therefore depends on the product and is not consistent. Full traceability is consequently not possible for all products.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE PROCESS 

An annual sustainability or social report is not published. 

The brand offers insights into its production processes and craft partners via its own blog and the ​“Meet the Maker” series.