Transparency in costing. Organic fabrics. Dyed sustainably. Paid with a Living wage.
Lelelele stands for transformation. From a catipuller to a butterfly. The transformation is just like the ocean. The different shades of blue and the white color. High tide. Low tide. Transparent. And sometimes turbulent. The ocean is changing every second of the day. Just like in life. Be like water.
With years of experience in the fashion industry and a passion for sustainability and fair wages, we went on a journey to prove that fashion can be different. By traveling to India and Sri Lanka, engaging with locals, visiting factories, and working with tailors, we sought to demonstrate the feasibility of slow fashion. Our mission is to show that quality can be affordable and that knowing what you're paying for is crucial.
We began our journey with shirts, a garment that can go for both casual outings and professional settings. From the surf to taking a business call, a well-crafted shirt adapts seamlessly. To produce these in a manner we believe is right, we prioritize transparency and transformation through open costing.
The Need for Sustainable Fashion
The fashion industry faces a lot of analyses and words over fast fashion, unsustainable practices, and greenwashing. The shift towards sustainability raises questions about what truly makes a product sustainable and our consistency in addressing these issues. Organic cotton, recycled materials, eco-friendly buttons, and sustainable dyes are just the beginning. We must also consider fair wages, working conditions, CO2 emissions, and pesticide use.
At Lelelele, our journey led us to explore the production processes behind our products and the people and cultures involved. While everyone desires sustainable garments, many consumers remain unaware of the journey their clothes make before reaching the store. Whether a garment costs €20 or €120, the price often overshadows the story behind it.
Through this journey, we’ve learned that achieving complete sustainability, traceability, and fairness is currently a challenge. We strive to make the best choices aligned with our values and aim to raise awareness about the implications of each purchase.
Understanding the Supply Chain
Fabric Origins: Cotton, the world’s second most used fabric after polyester, is not universally grown. Most cotton comes from China or India, but to produce clothing in countries like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, cotton or fabric often needs to be imported. This raises questions about the sustainability of transporting fibers versus producing them closer to home.
The industry has shifted from conventional to organic or recycled cotton. While this is positive, the example of Sri Lanka’s failed mandatory organic rice production highlights the need for balanced approaches. Farmers must have the knowledge and resources to make organic farming viable. Certification is crucial, but it can also be a financial burden for farmers. Thus, we must consider the broader impact and a feasible organic production.
Dyeing: We can dye fabric naturally or chemically. While natural dyeing is healthier for both the environment and workers, it requires extensive resources and can result in less colorfast fabrics. Chemical dyeing, although less eco-friendly, often provides longer-lasting color, reducing the frequency of garment replacement. The balance between these methods must consider both environmental impact and economic realities.
Working Environment and Wages: Working conditions in some low-wage countries are often poor, but larger factories are increasingly required to follow standards. The concept of sweatshops, where workers are paid minimally and work under harsh conditions, persists. Many workers accept such conditions due to financial necessity. The idea of working from home or starting work at a young age parallels practices in other countries, although under different circumstances.
In regions where government support is minimal, unexpected financial burdens like rising electricity costs are common. Collaboration with smaller workshops and fair wages for tailors are essential for ensuring ethical practices.
Living Wage: A living wage covers basic needs and rises above the poverty line, differing from the minimum wage. It varies by country, depending on the cost of living and social benefits. Understanding these differences is vital for ensuring fair compensation.
Moving Forward
Combining high-quality fabrics with fair wages for tailors and transparent pricing is essential for customers to understand the true value of their purchases. The complexities of sustainability and fairness in fashion reflect the difficulties of our own lives. Just as there is more to each person than meets the eye, there is more behind every garment. We believe everyone deserves access to basic needs and a life free from poverty.
We plan to expand the production to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Germany. In this way, you can see wage, transport, and government involvement differences for productions out of different countries.
Stay tuned for more updates as I continue the journey towards transparency and ethical practices in fashion.
Gain awareness about the true cost behind your purchase.
With a conscious mind, understand what you are paying for and determine what you are willing to pay at what cost.
Together, we can redefine the fashion industry, one garment at a time.
Learn more about the products out of India; Or Sri lanka;
