PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
- Germany (Bavaria – sewing factory)
- Germany (Baden-Württemberg – button factory)
- Belgium (knitting production)
- Netherlands (knitting production)
- Switzerland (botanical dyeing)
- Japan (fabrics such as raw denim)
WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES
VAN TRICHT works exclusively with traditional, artisan businesses in Europe. Production takes place in small factories in southern Germany (sewing), Belgium and the Netherlands (knitting factories) as well as with a botanical dyeing partner in Switzerland.
This proximity not only enables short transport routes, but also a close, personal exchange with the producers. The designer attaches great importance to cooperation on an equal footing and regular direct contact to ensure quality and fairer conditions.
Certifications such as IVN BEST, GOTS and the collaboration with a traditional weaving mill from Austria/Germany speak for a certain standard in socio-ecological production.
Japan is used exclusively as a fabric supplier for high-quality raw denim – there is potentially less insight into the working conditions here.
The brand does not have its own production facilities, but works with a small number of carefully selected factories. This enables a high level of transparency along the supply chain. Many work steps are manual or semi-manual, such as the elaborate knitting patterns, precise sewing and botanical dyeing – some of the products are therefore handcrafted.
MATERIALS
- Raw denim (from Japan, made on old looms)
- Linen (partly coloured with oak bark)
- Naturally coloured cotton
- Merino wool yarn (RWS, SustainaWOOL, ZDHC)
- Merino wool yarn (Linsieme, RWS)
- Wool flannel (OekoTex Standard)
- Mernino wool
- Mother-of-pearl buttons
- Stone nut buttons
- Horn buttons
- Metal (buckles, zips from Switzerland)
VAN TRICHT favours natural, durable materials with the smallest possible ecological footprint. The raw denim used comes from Japan and is produced on old looms – this ensures high quality, but involves longer transport routes. The linen is partly plant-dyed with oak bark and is considered to be particularly resource-friendlier. A rare, naturally coloured cotton makes additional dyeing superfluous. Some of the wool used comes from family-owned handlooms and contributes to the longevity of the knitwear.
Only natural materials such as walnut, horn and mother-of-pearl are used for trims. The brand also avoids using plastic for zips and instead relies on durable metal zips.
Synthetic linings are deliberately avoided. The designer is currently still searching for completely plastic-free yarns.
The choice of materials reflects the brand’s claim: carefully selected, as natural and recyclable as possible.
PACKAGING
VAN TRICHT uses recycled cardboard boxes for e‑commerce shipping and also offers the option of personal collection on site.
WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS
VAN TRICHT attaches great importance to resource-conserving and low-pollutant material processing. The designer deliberately avoids synthetic linings, thereby reducing the use of chemical finishes. Instead, natural fabrics such as coloured cotton or plant-dyed linen are used – for example with oak bark, which indicates a botanical dyeing practice with reduced use of chemicals.
The brand works with certified partners (GOTS, IVN BEST) and a weaving mill, which means that standards for more environmentally friendly dyeing and water consumption can be met. In addition, no synthetic fibres are used, which greatly reduces the risk of microplastics being released during washing.
The search for plastic-free yarns is a further step towards consistently plastic-free, more environmentally friendly production.
CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN
VAN TRICHT mainly works with mono-materials, which improves the recyclability of the products. This makes the garments easier to recycle at the end of their life cycle. You can read about the effects of the choice of textiles on recycling, durability and the environment here.
There is currently no take-back service for used clothing. However, the designer is planning to tackle the issue of repair in a targeted manner over the next three years – ideally in collaboration with an organisation. The aim is to keep garments wearable for longer before they are returned to the cycle.
The garments are easy to repair thanks to their workmanship, as there are no complex lining constructions. The brand relies on robust materials and clear cuts, which makes both repairs and alterations easier – an advantage in terms of circular use.
The knitted jumpers are knitted directly into shape, which means there is hardly any waste.
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL
VAN TRICHT does not currently offer an active repair service. However, the brand is planning to develop this area in the coming years, preferably in cooperation with an external organisation, in order to facilitate repairs and keep garments in use for longer.
Careful care can also make a significant contribution to longevity. The label provides care instructions and tips on the correct handling of materials online to help customers maintain their clothing.
There is currently no take-back service for worn or discarded garments. Other circular business models such as rental or second-hand sales are not currently part of the concept. So far, the focus has been on durability, reparability and avoiding waste through small series and high-quality materials.
DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
- Germany
- Belgium
- The Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Japan
- VAN TRICHT is based in Hamburg, Germany.
VAN TRICHT has a manageable supply chain, as it works with a small number of specialised partner companies in Europe. The materials are carefully selected, production processes are traceable and personally supervised.
TRANSPORTATION
- VAN TRICHT works with partners in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Japan, which means that transport routes within Europe remain comparatively short. Fabric imports from Japan represent the greatest distance.
Materials such as fabrics, yarns and ingredients are packed in boxes and sent by GLS, UPS, FedEx or DHL.
Samples are also sent by post. The finished items are delivered as hanging garments on clothes racks wrapped in plastic film; individual pieces from the Belgian knitting factory are sent by post. Products are regularly collected in person by train as part of a visit.
- For shipping to end customers, VAN TRICHT uses DHL GoGreen to offset the emissions generated during transport. The brand also offers on-site collection, which can completely avoid shipping emissions.
- Merinowool
VAN TRICHT only uses mulesing-free wool.
The knitting yarns are made in Italy from pure Australian merino wool. The yarn carries certificates such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), SustainaWOOL and supports the ZDHC initiative for the reduction of hazardous chemicals, whereby no mulesing is used.
Another yarn is made from Australian supergeelong merino wool and is produced under RWS certification, which also guarantees freedom from mulesing.
The selection is complemented by wool flannel, woven in Germany from pure merino wool, which according to the label presumably comes from Australia. The fabric is mulesing-free and certified in accordance with the OekoTex standard.
PRODUCT DESIGN
VAN TRICHT designs clothing exclusively for women and offers a selection of blouses, trousers, skirts, jackets, coats and knitwear. The pieces are produced in small series, usually with only ten pieces per model and colour, which indicates a limited size range.
In terms of style, VAN TRICHT combines robust workwear materials with elegant cuts and soft knitwear, creating a timeless wardrobe.
SLOW FASHION PROCESSES
VAN TRICHT does not follow a classic collection rhythm. Instead of seasonal novelties, the brand maintains a permanent collection that is further developed over the years. New designs are added step by step as soon as they have matured in terms of design.
The pieces are created in small series or as made-to-order, which avoids overproduction.
TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT
The VAN TRICHT product pages offer a high level of transparency and contain detailed information on materials, origin and production. This information is supplemented by notes on fit, processing and care.
VAN TRICHT thus enables good traceability. The openness of the information makes it possible to trace the origin and development of the product to a large extent.
TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESS
On its website, VAN TRICHT provides detailed information on materials, processing methods and production partners, both on general pages and specifically on the respective product pages.
The traceability of individual products is therefore relatively high, as the origin of the linen, the producers or the sewing workshop are specifically named.
The brand attaches great importance to transparency in the craft sector and explains its selection criteria for partner companies.
The information available is based on self-disclosure by the brand and personal insights into its working methods, without formalised CSR documentation.
Zaključak
VAN TRICHT impresses with timeless women’s fashion that is made in small series from high-quality natural materials. The brand focuses on long-lasting blouses, skirts, coats and knitwear, made in traditional manufactories in Europe with great attention to detail. Discover VAN TRICHT’s slow fashion below on the COSH! map.
