This Is No Disco

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Portugal (production of the bamboo collection)
• Belgium (local printing of the artistic prints in Brussels)

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

This Is No Disco produces its collections in Portugal and Belgium. 
In Portugal, the garments are made from bamboo fabrics supplied by Bamboo Belgium. The country offers high EU labour standards as a production location and comparatively short transport routes to Brussels.
In Belgium, the digital printing of the artistic illustrations is carried out by INK Brussels. Here, the advantages are close cooperation, short distances, and direct control.

The founder ensures transparency through personal exchange and visits.
Particular attention is paid in the sewing workshop to a healthy working environment, with natural light, regular medical check-ups, and investments in ergonomic workplaces.

The brand deliberately avoids buzzwords such as ​“gender-neutral” or ​“unisex” and instead positions itself as artwear, offering everyone space for individual self-expression.

MATERIALS

• OEKO-TEX 100 certified bamboo

OEKO-TEX 100 certified bamboo means that the fabric has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for consumers.
The entire collection of This Is No Disco is based on bamboo fabrics sourced from Bamboo Belgium and processed in Portugal. Bamboo is generally considered a fast-growing raw material with low land and water requirements.

PACKAGING

• For e‑commerce, orders are shipped in cardboard boxes, some of which are reused. The individual garments are packed by size in paper. It is explicitly stated that no plastic is used.
• The packaging within the supply chain of This Is No Disco follows the specifications of Bamboo Belgium. This means that the garments are wrapped in recycled tissue paper. In this way, the use of single-use plastic is avoided, while the products are still protected during transport. This principle also applies to shipments to customers, as the parcels are entirely plastic-free and shipped in a more resource-efficient way.

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

This Is No Disco works exclusively with bamboo fabrics sourced through Bamboo Belgium and processed in Portugal.
Bamboo Belgium pursues a comparatively more environmentally friendly approach in bamboo processing through closed chemical cycles and a water-free spinning process.
The cultivation of bamboo itself requires neither artificial irrigation nor the use of pesticides or insecticides. This saves water and protects surrounding ecosystems.
Bamboo is a cellulose-based natural material, which means no microplastic is released during washing.

When it comes to dyeing and printing, the brand relies on digital printing in cooperation with INK Brussels, which requires less water and fewer chemicals compared to traditional methods.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

The collection of This Is No Disco consists entirely of bamboo fabrics sourced from Bamboo Belgium and processed in Portugal. This makes them mono-materials, meaning the garments are in principle easier to recycle since no blends with synthetic fibres are used.
The Brussels studio is set up in such a way that it produces almost no waste – only a small bin every three months.

A take-back service for used products is currently being developed. Customers can already send in their pieces for repair, extending the life of the garments. In addition, a second-hand section on the website is planned as soon as the first returns arrive.
The designer is considering possible collaboration with Bamboo Belgium to use their existing solutions.

The garments are designed for durability and, thanks to high-quality workmanship and timeless cuts, are particularly robust.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

This Is No Disco offers customers the option of sending back damaged garments for repair.
A formalised take-back service does not yet exist. However, An Vandenberk plans to set up a second-hand section on her website to resell returned items in the future. Possible recycling solutions are also being considered. These plans are still in the conceptual phase and have not yet been implemented.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLYCHAIN

• Portugal 
• Belgium (Brussels) 
• This Is No Disco is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

TRANSPORT 

• The supply chain of This Is No Disco involves several transport stages, resulting from the processes at Bamboo Belgium. Bamboo as a raw material comes from China and is shipped in larger, combined transports to Portugal in order to keep CO₂ emissions from the long journey as low as possible. In Portugal, the fabrics are further processed, with the companies involved located no more than 80 kilometres apart, ensuring only short transport distances. For further transport to Belgium and to end customers, Bamboo Belgium works with Greenway. The aim here is to carry out as few transports as possible and to deliver orders efficiently and as environmentally friendly as possible.
• Shipping takes place directly from Belgium to customers.

This Is No Disco does not use any animal fibres in production.

PRODUCTDESIGN

This Is No Disco offers an artwear collection aimed at adults. The pieces are deliberately designed as timeless, avant-garde designs that can be worn regardless of gender.

In its brand communication, An Vandenberk consciously avoids terms such as gender-neutral or unisex and instead emphasises artistic freedom and self-expression without labels.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

This Is No Disco does not work with classic, seasonal collections. Instead, there is an ongoing, continuously evolving collection that is gradually supplemented with new designs. In this way, the brand positions itself clearly outside of trend- or season-driven fashion.

An Vandenberk produces in small runs, thus avoiding overproduction.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE PRODUCT

On the product pages of This Is No Disco, customers can find detailed information about the garments. This includes the material composition as well as information on design and production. In addition, there are references to continuous eco-certification from the cultivation of the bamboo plant to the production of the garment. Care instructions are also provided, including specific recommendations for washing temperature, drying, and ironing. Size and fit details, such as length or waist measurement, are also part of the product description.

Precise traceability of the individual garment is not possible. Transparency relates to the overall supply chain, not the unique identification of each individual product.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE PROCESS 

Although the information on transparency and traceability at This Is No Disco is rather general, the brand demonstrates clear efforts towards openness. Customers are informed about which country production takes place in and which materials are used, even if product-specific traceability down to every detail of the supply chain is not possible.
On the website, the most important partners, materials, and suppliers are listed transparently, so the origin remains traceable. 
In addition, An Vandenberk has personally visited the production sites in northern Portugal and conducted interviews with the professionals involved to provide direct insights into the way of working.
The entire production of the bamboo collection takes place within a radius of 80 kilometres in northern Portugal, keeping transport routes short and further strengthening traceability.

There is not yet a systematic, annually published sustainability or social report, but the brand regularly communicates its values and practices on its website.