TOLS

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

Production countries TOLS:

• Slovenia: printing and finishing of the products

Production countries Stanley/​Stella:

• Bangladesh: main production country (11 partner factories for clothing).
• China: additional production site (1 partner factory).
• Turkey: country of origin for part of the organic, GMO-free cotton cultivation.
• Tanzania: country of origin of organic cotton via ​“Direct-to-Farm” cooperation with Remei Tanzania.

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

The label ensures fairer working conditions in Slovenia by operating fully in line with Slovenian and European labour legislation and being GOTS-certified. TOLS has its products printed in Slovenia and uses the certified raw garments from Stanley/​Stella.

Stanley/​Stella produces mainly in Bangladesh and additionally in a partner factory in China. The company has worked for years with a limited number of suppliers and maintains local teams in Bangladesh, China, India and Turkey to ensure continuous support and quality control. The factories are GOTS- and GRS-certified and are regularly audited by independent inspection bodies. As a member of the Fair Wear Foundation with Leader status, the company carries out audits, training sessions and concrete corrective measures to ensure safe and fair working conditions.
The cotton comes, among other places, from Turkey and Tanzania, where Stanley/​Stella states it works with local farmers and initiatives, enables training and ensures traceability.
In addition, Stanley/​Stella is involved in social projects in the regions of its supply chains. These include mobile hospitals that provide medical care to tens of thousands of people, as well as the construction of deep water wells to reliably supply communities with clean drinking water. The cooperation with Remei Tanzania also supports around 2,000 cotton farmers through training and fair payment.

MATERIALS

• Organic cotton
• Recycled polyester

TOLS exclusively uses Stanley/​Stella raw garments made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and, in some models, GRS-certified recycled polyester. All components, including yarns and accessories, comply with the requirements of OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100.
Learn more about organic cotton here.

PACKAGING

TOLS uses paper-based packaging materials.

WATER USE & CHEMICALS

For DTG printing, water-based, GOTS-approved inks are used, indicating a more responsible approach to chemical use.
All Stanley/​Stella partner factories are equipped with legally required wastewater treatment plants, ensuring that wastewater is treated. The use of chemicals is subject to strict standards such as GOTS and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, which ensure that dyes, coatings and auxiliaries are tested and regulated.
The brand uses exclusively organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled materials.
Recycled polyester can release microfibres during washing, as it is a synthetic material.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

TOLS works with Stanley/​Stella raw garments that are either made from 100% organic cotton or from a blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester. The pure cotton pieces are more circular-friendly, as mono-materials are easier to recycle at the end of their life cycle.

TOLS does not offer a take-back system.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

The brand does not offer a repair service. There is also no take-back system. Other circular business models such as rental or resale are not mentioned.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Slovenia
• Bangladesh
• China
• Turkey
• Tanzania
• TOLS has its headquarters in Amsterdam.

TRANSPORT

• E‑commerce transport is handled by a third-party provider.
• Stanley/​Stella places importance on efficient and as resource-efficient as possible logistics. For transport, Stanley/​Stella uses inland shipping for container transport where possible, in order to reduce road transport.

No animal fibres are used.
The Stanley/​Stella raw garments are PETA certified.

PRODUCT DESIGN

TOLS offers clean, timeless streetwear for adults. The collection includes unisex hoodies and sweatshirts as well as cropped hoodies for women.

Stylistically, the brand focuses on clear shapes, neutral colours and designs that pick up quotes and motifs from the ongoing book story.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

TOLS does not have seasonal collections, but a fixed, ongoing collection to which new designs are gradually added, each inspired by dialogues and motifs from the developing book story.

All products are made to order.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

On TOLS product pages, basic information can be found on the materials used, care instructions, certifications of the Stanley/​Stella raw garments (GOTS, GRS, PETA Vegan, OEKO-TEX) and fit information.
Specific details on production countries, supply chain or printing location do not appear on the product pages; however, customers are informed that the clothing is sourced from Stanley/​Stella and printed in Slovenia.
TOLS does not offer the possibility to trace exactly in which factory the specific garment was produced or printed after purchase. Customers only learn that Stanley/​Stella produces the raw garments and that TOLS finishes them in Slovenia.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

TOLS itself provides only limited insight into its own supply chain and does not offer product-specific traceability. However, as TOLS exclusively uses raw garments from Stanley/​Stella, an indirectly much higher level of transparency is created. Stanley/​Stella publishes extensive information on suppliers, working conditions, certifications and sustainability measures and is audited multiple times (GOTS, GRS, OEKO-TEX, PETA Vegan). As a result, TOLS benefits from a well-documented supply chain.