PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
- Portugal
- Tunisia
- Morocco
- Turkey
- Germany, Italy
- Italy
- India (for cotton cultivation)
WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES
ARMEDANGELS produces mainly in Portugal, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Germany and Italy.
According to ARMEDANGELS, it uses various instruments to ensure fairer working conditions. For example, the company follows the Common Framework for Responsible Purchasing Practices (CRFPP) and has implemented comprehensive Human Rights & Environmental Due Diligence (HR+EDD) – including risk analyses at country level and individual action plans for partner companies. In addition, all relevant production costs – including wages – are included in pricing using the True Costing Methodology and the Fair Price App.
According to its own statement, the company works exclusively with external factories and does not have its own production facilities. Instead, ARMEDANGELS relies on long-term partnerships: 82% of the purchasing volume comes from factories with which the brand has been cooperating for over five years. Communication with partners is close and on an equal footing. Suppliers are visited regularly – not only by audit teams, but also by employees such as the fabric team, who thus gain a better understanding of the respective production conditions.
One project is the Living Wage Project with the Turkish partner factory Mergü: From 2020 to 2023, ARMEDANGELS paid over 182,000 euros as a wage bonus to around 120 employees here. The focus is not only on fairer pay, but also on gender equality: the company wants to take targeted measures to promote women – e.g. through training, better representation on works councils or fair promotion opportunities.
Certifications also play an important role: ARMEDANGELS has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2015, uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and relies on the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) for recycled materials. With TextileGenesis™, the brand is working on digitally traceable supply chains, for example for organic wool and Lenzing fibres. This is complemented by its own initiatives such as the Armedangels Organic Farmers Association, which supported 500 Indian smallholders in switching to organic cotton.
In its communication, the brand is diverse and inclusive: the team consists of employees from 28 nations, and topics such as equality and anti-discrimination are part of the due diligence guidelines.
MATERIALS
Natural fibres – 84 % of the material base
- Organic cotton (GOTS-certified)
- Recycled cotton (GRS-certified)
- Linen (from Europe, European Flax Standard)
- Recycled linen (GRS-certified)
- Hemp (from European cultivation)
- Organic wool (RWS or GOTS certified)
- Recycled wool (partly GRS-certified)
- Alpaca (RAS-certified)
Cellulose fibres – 13 % of the material base
- TENCEL™ Lyocell
- LENZING™ ECOVERO™
- TENCEL™ Modal
- TENCEL™ Lyocell x REFIBRA™
- TENCEL™ LUXE
Polymers – 3 % of the material base
- Recycled polyester
- Recycled polyamide (mainly from industrial waste)
- New polyamide (0.1 %)
ARMEDANGELS mainly uses materials with a low ecological footprint, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, which is pesticide-free and protects the soil and water. Recycled cotton and wool, mostly GRS-certified, help to avoid waste and save resources. Cellulose fibres such as TENCEL™ or LENZING™ ECOVERO™ come from FSC or PEFC-certified forestry and use significantly less water and chemicals than conventional fibres. Hemp and linen are also used – both require hardly any water and no pesticides. The brand only uses synthetic fibres such as polyester or polyamide in recycled form. For ingredients such as zips or buttons, the focus is on recyclability, but no specific details are given.
PACKAGING
ARMEDANGELS also claims to minimise its ecological footprint in shipping. For e‑commerce, the brand relies on plastic-free packaging – e.g. shipping bags made of paper or cardboard. According to the company, these are made from recycled material or are recyclable. However, the brand does not publicise information on the packaging within the supply chain.
WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS
ARMEDANGELS has taken various measures to reduce its environmental footprint – particularly in the use of water and chemicals. For cotton, the brand relies exclusively on GOTS-certified organic quality, which uses less water and complies with stricter environmental regulations for chemicals. Recycled materials such as GRS-certified cotton and wool are also used.
For denim, ARMEDANGELS has developed DetoxDenim, which is produced without toxic chemicals – the fibres are dyed and processed mechanically or using harmless methods. Fibres from the Lenzing Group, such as TENCEL™ or ECOVERO™, also use more environmentally friendly processes, according to the company.
Certificates such as GOTS, GRS and membership of the Fair Wear Foundation are also intended to ensure transparency and control. ARMEDANGELS does not mention any specific measures on the subject of microplastics, but states that synthetic fibres only make up a very small proportion of the range.
CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN
ARMEDANGELS uses mono-materials for many products, for example for T‑shirts made from 100% organic cotton or denim made from pure cotton, in order to improve recyclability. However, mixed materials are still used, for example in recycled fibres or functional textiles, which can limit recyclability.
The brand uses recycled cotton or wool with GRS certification, as well as leftover material from its own production. As part of the collaboration with Valérius 360, a mechanical recycling process is used for used textiles.
ARMEDANGELS does not offer its own take-back programme, but there is a second-hand platform and a repair service with its partner MENDED. Many items of clothing are designed in such a way that they can be easily repaired. The brand also provides DIY instructions for making minor repairs yourself – a step towards circular design.
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL
ARMEDANGELS offers a repair service in collaboration with its partner MENDED. The service is not free, but members of the ‘Changemakers Club’ benefit from special conditions. Customers can send in damaged clothing, which will be professionally repaired using original spare parts.
Selected ARMEDANGELS products can also be borrowed from the Kleiderei – an approach that conserves resources.
The brand also operates its own second-hand platform for the resale of used clothing. A classic take-back service for used textiles for further processing is currently not explicitly offered. However, the brand relies on repair instructions to encourage consumers to repair items themselves, thereby strengthening circular utilisation models.
DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
- Portugal
- Turkey
- Tunisia
- Morocco
- Germany, Italy
- Italy
- India
- The ARMEDANGELS HQ is located in Cologne, Germany.
ARMEDANGELS’ supply chain is comparatively complex, as it works with various partners in Europe, North Africa and Asia.
TRANSPORTATION
- Exact means or routes of transport in the supply chain are not disclosed.
- ARMEDANGELS already uses renewable energy for the infrastructure of its online shop.
- Organic wool
- Recycled wool
- Alpaca wool
- All wool suppliers are either RWS-certified (Responsible Wool Standard) or GOTS/GRS-certified, depending on the material composition.
- Alpaca suppliers are RAS-certified (Responsible Alpaca Standard).
- The end product is not yet certified, but the company is planning to implement this in the future.
- PETA-certified products are also part of the range, particularly in the cotton segment.
ARMEDANGELS claims to adhere to strict ecological and social standards for animal materials. A clear code on animal welfare is not published.
PRODUCT DESIGN
ARMEDANGELS offers clothing for women and men. The style is minimalist, timeless and often inspired by everyday urban life – with a focus on basics and simple, wearable cuts.
Wider size ranges or special fits are not yet actively emphasised.
SLOW FASHION PROCESSES
ARMEDANGELS publishes four collections a year – spring, summer, autumn and winter – for both men and women. The brand takes part in reduced sales promotions, but usually with caution and as part of the regular range.
The products are not made to measure or to order; instead, ARMEDANGELS works with a fixed delivery calendar and clear production cycles to avoid overproduction and support fairer working conditions at suppliers.
TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT
The ARMEDANGELS product pages provide extensive information that goes beyond the usual. In addition to the material (including information on whether it is recycled or certified), the country and place of production, the name of the producer, certifications and care instructions are listed. The fit, model size and cut details are also clearly described.
The brand enables a high level of traceability: the specific place of production and the manufacturing company are specified for individual products. This allows consumers to trace the origin of the respective product.
TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESS
ARMEDANGELS offers comparatively extensive insights into its supply chain and working methods. The brand publishes a great deal of information on social and environmental measures on its website and in its annual Action Report. Among other things, its approach to human rights and environmental due diligence, risk assessments per country, specific partner companies and the implementation of projects such as the Living Wage Project are made transparent.
ARMEDANGELS also shares information on its ‘True Costing Methodology’, with which it discloses pricing, including labour costs. Tools such as the Fair Price App for fairer wage negotiations are also mentioned.
Traceability goes beyond general information – for individual products, specific production locations and supplier companies are mentioned, which enables product-specific transparency.
The information is therefore accessible both generally and on a product-specific basis, and the Action Report, which is published regularly, documents progress and challenges on an annual basis.
Zaključak
ARMEDANGELS is one of the pioneers of more sustainable fashion and impresses with its high level of transparency, fairer production and innovative materials. The Cologne-based brand offers timeless women’s and men’s fashion, from overshirts to jeans, which are designed to be more conscious and durable. Discover ARMEDANGELS below on the COSH! Map.
