Jaded London creates bold and edgy streetwear inspired by the lanes of East London, LA and New York. Whether you love attending music fests or gigs or want to spice up your wardrobe, its clothes will perfectly catch attention and spark conversations. But do you know Jaded London is accused of stealing designs from smaller businesses?
Jaded London brags about ethical manufacturing but doesn’t disclose details about its supply chain. Where are its clothes coming from? Who are making them? There’s absolutely zero information. All these aspects and many others suggest that Jaded London is a fast fashion brand. As today’s sustainability issue, let’s break down Jaded London and see for real what eco-friendly and ethical initiatives it has taken up.
Is Jaded London Fast Fashion?
Yes, Jaded London is fast fashion. It takes inspiration from the latest street style trends to create fashionable statement looks. From ’70s grunge looks and Y2K to patchwork denim, and graffiti patterns, its collections display the typical trend-driven, polyester-based fast fashion. And these styles become outdated within a couple of months.
At any given time, its website flaunts a vast collection of clothing and accessories, staying updated with every minor trend. Plus, its clothes are produced at a rapid pace in factories located in countries offering cheap labor.
Adding to that, rumors are Jaded London sells apparel without crediting the original creator. Meaning it steals designs from small brands and independent designers. The label uses high-impact toxic fabrics as its core materials, despite the fact that better alternatives exist. The only thing that sets Jaded London apart is, while it houses an affordable clothing range, not everything is cheaply priced. So, more or less, Jaded London is gaining success by adopting the features of the fast fashion business model.
Is Jaded London Ethical?
No, Jaded London is not ethical. All of its manufacturing is delegated to countries with low-cost labor. And while it collaborates with various partner factories, it refrains from disclosing the list of suppliers. Such lack of transparency from Jaded London increases the possibility of unethical practices at its production units.
Labor Practices
Jaded London doesn’t have a Vendor’s Code of Conduct to ensure fair treatment of workers, like reasonable working hours, fair pay, and a safe environment. It also doesn’t explain how it selects its manufacturers. Although the company claims to regularly visit its factories and only partner with those who value human rights and fair labor, there’s no proof to back these statements.
Another concern is that none of its factories are Fair Trade Certified. So, there’s no assurance that workers’ rights are being protected, and it is not one of the brands that use sweatshops. Identifying and actively preventing labor issues is crucial for all companies, especially considering the exploitation of workers happening in the fashion industry.
Sourcing Practices
Jaded London sources its merchandise from factories located in China, Morocco, and Turkey. And that’s all the information it shares about its supply chain. The British retailer claims that “ethical manufacturing is something we feel very strongly about and are working towards full transparency with all of our suppliers.” However, with no detailed information available, there’s no way of checking which production units it works with and what their sourcing policies are.
Publishing reports that confirm whether workers receive standard wages, are provided with safe working conditions, and responsible sourcing of materials is crucial for clarity. But, for Jaded London, it appears the company isn’t bothered about providing this kind of evidence.
Child Labor
So far, there have been no reports tying Jaded London with instances of child labor. But it can’t be denied that the company is very discreet about its factories and maintains silence about their working conditions. So, there’s absolutely no way of knowing who are making its clothes and under what provisions.
Jaded London’s products are made in countries where labor is cheap and there are no strict laws protecting minors from getting employed. Hence, there is no guarantee of what’s actually happening or who exactly are working in those factories.
Child labor in fast fashion is becoming a bigger issue day by day, so it’s imperative for companies to have a transparent supply chain.
Overall Rating: 1.5
Is Jaded London Cruelty Free?
Jaded London does have a formal animal welfare policy that strives to reduce the suffering of animals in the garment industry. The British retailer doesn’t use animal-derived materials like fur, down, exotic animal hair or skin, angora, or silk. However, some of its products are made from wool and leather, whose sources remain unknown.
Animals raised to supply the fashion industry endure the utmost level of cruelty. Hence, aligning with ethical producers who incorporate good animal husbandry practices is crucial. But just like Jaded London’s guarded silence over ethical factories, it also stays shut with its animal welfare policies.
Overall Rating: 1
Is Jaded London Sustainable?
No, Jaded London has a long way to go to become sustainable. Although its Corporate Social Responsibility section pledges to minimize its environmental impact, the brand doesn’t have evidence to prove its actions.
Jaded London’s entire clothing range is made from unsustainable materials like polyester, polyurethane, elastane, and viscose. The level of greenhouse gas emissions released in producing and processing these fabrics is downright frightening. The company also uses a lot of conventional cotton in its garments. It is to be noted that while conventional cotton is biodegradable, its production requires massive amounts of freshwater and synthetic pesticides.
Moreover, there are no reports that Jaded London tracks its CO2 emissions or controls its wastewater generation. While declaring sustainability goals is appreciated, the label needs to share progress data to verify its efforts to achieve a green supply chain. The environmental impact of fast fashion is consuming our planet bit by bit every day. So, the least a brand can do is measure its carbon footprint and embrace more eco-friendly ways of doing business.
Now, Jaded London claims to engage with suppliers who operate in an environmentally friendly manner. But, again, which factories are these? What green manufacturing techniques have they adopted? And what sustainable materials does this brand use, anyway? If Jaded London truly plans to be sustainable, it has to start giving answers!
The only positive aspect is, Jaded London takes up philanthropic efforts by supporting charities like UNICEF, Stand Up To Racism, and The Trussel Trust. It has also collaborated with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and funds their research along with raising awareness for breast cancer. We can expect that just as Jaded London is doing its part to make a difference in the lives of the needful, it will take some meaningful actions to become planet-friendly.
Overall Rating: 2
Some of the Best Sustainable Alternatives to Jaded London
Jaded London prioritizes low-cost production and utilizes synthetic materials over ethical and sustainable practices. Such brands contribute to environmental degradation, exploitation of labor, and a throwaway culture. Avoiding Jaded London and other fast fashion brands like Killstar, Cider, Demonia, etc., is essential to creating a demand for a conscious fashion industry.
Opting for affordable sustainable clothing alternatives like PANGAIA, Fanfare, Afends, and For Days encourages ethical production and eco-friendly materials. Their deep commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of the garment industry is truly worth supporting.
1. For Days
For Days offers affordable sustainable fashion with a focus on circular fashion. Its storefront covers wardrobe staples for the whole family, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, swimwear, skincare, makeup, and more. Serving as a conscious marketplace, you might find your favorite brands here. A notable feature is the “Take Back Bag,” allowing customers to return old clothes for store credit, which For Days upcycles into new products, reducing textile waste. The brand emphasizes ethical production and solely uses sustainable materials. For Days is dedicated to making fashion more eco-friendly and ethical.
2. Fanfare
Award-winning sustainable label Fanfare is a women’s fashion house leading the way for circularity and positive change. Its clothing range is chic, simply stunning, and is created in timeless designs that you would love to wear repeatedly. With sustainability in its DNA, it focuses on making garments that have longevity, durability, and recyclability. Fanfare makes everything using sustainable fabrics like GOTS-certified cotton, linen, wool off-cuts, deadstock materials, etc. Additionally, it has an ethical supply chain where products are mindfully manufactured locally to support jobs for underserved women.
3. PANGAIA
On a mission to accelerate an “Earth Positive Future,” PANGAIA designs its clothing with smart technology. Its colorful loungewear collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, track pants, along with activewear, and much more which are incredibly comfortable. What sets this label apart are its scientifically-engineered patented green materials, such as FLWRDWN™, PANHemp™, C-FIBER™, to name a few. Certified as a B Corp, PANGAIA believes in protecting the planet through its cutting-edge products that are made with the lowest possible impact.
4. Afends
Afends represents a rebellious yet eco-conscious spirit in its collections. The Byron Bay label is known for its unique style, offering laid-back clothing that effortlessly combines street style with sustainability. Dedicated to using green materials, Afends has a deep love for organic hemp and has an entire “Hemp Revolution” section that showcases T-shirts, shirts, and denim. Plus, it stands by ethical practices, prioritize fair labor and a transparent supply chain. Afends is not just about clothing; it’s a revolution towards fashion that is both cool and responsible.
