SIL

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Sil’s collections are designed in its own atelier in Belgium.
• Patterns, small runs and prototypes are also made in the Belgian atelier.
• Most of the clothes are produced in specialised ateliers in Ukraine.
• Knitwear from Belgium

WORKINGCONDITIONS & LIVING WAGE

At Sil, ethical production is key. All collections are designed in their own atelier in Belgium, where patterns, prototypes and small runs are also made. For larger production runs, Sil collaborates with specialised ateliers in Ukraine through a Belgian ready-to-wear atelier. This atelier, which itself has a branch in Belgium and carries the ​‘Handmade in Belgium’ certificate, guarantees craftsmanship and fair working conditions.

Originally, this clothing atelier produced in Poland, before moving to Ukraine. Due to the unstable situation there, production may occasionally take place again in Poland, always through the reliable Belgian subcontractor. The Belgian atelier works with established workshops that meet their quality and ethical standards, but does not share with SIL which partners they work with. Moreover, during the war, the atelier transferred some Ukrainian seamstresses to provide them with a safe workplace.

Besides fair production, Sil also contributes to the local economy. The brand is part of the ​‘I Buy Belgian’ platform and works with Belgian retailers to strengthen regional trade. In exceptional cases, such as limited editions, production even took place in Wevelgem, giving Sil extra control over the entire process.

MATERIALS

• Polyamide
• conventional cotton
• Organic cotton
• Polyester
• Recycled polyester
• Linen
• Recycled cotton from Italy
• Tencel
• Rayon
• Viscose
• Merino wool
• Alpaca
• Wool
• Elastane
• Silk

Sil exclusively sources fabrics in Europe, guaranteeing controlled sourcing. The brand prefers Belgian materials and says it pays attention to environmental certifications and approvals. Certain pieces also have Fair Wear Foundation guarantees.

PACKAGING

SIL is taking steps to reduce packaging waste without sacrificing protection and quality. Whereas garments used to be packed individually, it has discussed with its supplier to now pack per 7 – 10 pieces in one plastic sleeve, resulting in significant savings. The plastic sleeves that do remain are reused in stock.

For customers, Sil opts for plastic-free packaging options. Orders are always shipped in cardboard boxes, and online orders are carefully wrapped with silk paper and a recycled kraft envelope. This keeps packaging functional and stylish, without unnecessary use of materials.

WATER­ USAGE & CHEMICALS

To reduce exposure to chemicals, many fabrics used by Sil are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning they are tested for harmful substances. Some fabrics are GOTS certified.

CIR­CU­LAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Sil’s clothing is not fully circular, as many pieces combine natural fibres with synthetic materials (e.g. linen mixed with polyamide), which makes recycling difficult.

However, the brand does take steps to reduce waste, reusing residual materials to make bags and sometimes organising fabric sales.

Furthermore, Sil also buys deadstock materials to make something beautiful not only with their own surpluses, but also those of others.

CIR­CU­LAR BUSINESSMODELS

Through Dressr, Belgium’s first successful rental platform, customers can rent Sil pieces and thus enjoy stylish outfits without unnecessary purchases. This rental model fits perfectly with the slow fashion philosophy: it prevents impulse purchases and allows customers to wear new looks regularly without throwing away clothes. In addition, Sil is committed to upcycling by transforming surplus fabrics into unique accessories. 

At the customer’s request, SIL also offers repairs or sends the right fabric to the customer to do (or have done) repairs themselves.
 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Production: Mainly in Ukraine, sometimes Poland.
• Knitwear: Belgium with Italian yarn
• Design & prototyping: Happens in Belgium.
• Materials: Are sourced exclusively in Europe. Fabrics come from Italy, Greece, France, Belgium, but also outside Europe.
• Head office: Located in Erpe, near Ghent, Belgium.
• Sales: Through Belgian retailers and its own sales channels.

TRANS­PORTATION 

• Transport in the supply chain: as the materials are sourced exclusively in Europe and production takes place in Ukraine, COSH! assumes that road transport is the main method of transportation. All deliveries are also collected to minimise unnecessary transport.
• Transport in e‑commerce: bpost

• Wool, merino, alpaca
• Silk

Most of the Sil collection is vegan, without animal materials, with some pieces even boasting a Peta approved certificate. However, some designs contain silk and wool, the wool being of European origin.

PRO­DUCT DESIGN

Sil stands for timeless fashion with a minimalist touch. The collections consist of small, carefully curated ranges with versatile pieces in neutral colours, complemented by subtle eye-catchers. The basic line includes comfortable hoodies, T‑shirts and jumpers. In addition, Sil offers an exclusive bridal collection, in which each design is custom-made by hand in Belgium.

SLOW FAS­HI­ON PROCESSES

The brand produces in limited editions, with collections consisting of around 10 carefully designed models in up to three colour options. Thanks to the thoughtful design, the pieces can be combined seasonally, contributing to a timeless wardrobe. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT

Sil shares information about production sites and fabrics, but does not provide detailed supplier information on product pages.

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES

Sil shared some supplier details with COSH!. Via instagram, SIL shares behind-the-scenes images and information when she goes shopping for her fabrics or e.g. patterns.