Sustainability
RAFFAUF stands not only for design and quality, but also for sustainability – and we have done so from the very beginning, long before “slow fashion” became a buzzword. 30 years after the founding of our brand, sustainability is an issue as pressing as ever, and to us, it is a tradition.
We preferably use pure fibres, as mixed materials are difficult to separate at the end of the product life cycle and can rarely be recycled. We, therefore, prefer to use natural fibres, for example, organic cotton or linen, or recycled fabrics made from plastic bottles or recycled wool. In both cases, we look for certificates that guarantee high ecological and social standards. In addition, we ask all our suppliers in detail: Where does the raw material come from? Where exactly does the plant grow? And under what conditions is production carried out?
Our production mainly takes place in Europe and requires only short transport routes from growing the natural materials, or making the recycled fibres, to delivering a ready-to-wear collection. For example, our styles made from recycled PET bottles travel just 1,300 kilometres from the collection of the bottles in northern Italy with a stopover in our production facility in Poland until the finished jacket arrives at our headquarter in Berlin. Being so close to our suppliers and production facility also helps us to ensure fair working conditions throughout the production process of each garment.
The fashion industry produces an unimaginable amount of waste every year. We don't want to be a part of that. It is important to us to reuse waste by recycling and upcycling it, both in our collection and behind the scenes, for example, by choosing recycled hangers, print products and packaging materials.
Sustainability is an essential aspect of our design process. Our timeless designs are independent of passing fashion trends. In combination with the use of exceptionally high-quality materials, they make our jackets and coats long-lasting companions. And should the ravages of time put one of our coats in need of maintenance, our care products can help to preserve its longevity.
By the way, we develop two collections a year, one for spring/summer and one for autumn/winter, and our production depends on demand. This way, we prevent overproduction, and we will never destroy or burn surplus clothing, as is unfortunately all too common in the fashion world, with collections often changing weekly.
We are currently not 100% sustainable, although we would like to be. It is important for us to communicate this transparently and to improve ourselves constantly. Our decades of experience with sustainability enable us to get a little closer to our goal with each collection.
