Ethics & Sustainability

The garment and textile industry is the second largest polluter of our planet, second to oil. The demand for fast/cheap fashion has become so high that the garment production chain from design to in consumer's hands is polluted with child labour, unsafe working conditions, and destruction of our environment. Textile dyeing is one of the number one polluters of clean water, second to agriculture (keeping in mind growing cotton for clothes is agriculture). Major fashion brands are also competing for the lowest retail price therefore demanding manufacturers to reduce their costs and the outcome is garment workers being paid a non-living wage and working in very unsafe working conditions as seen in the Rana Plaza disaster. Nothing about the industry is moral and sustainable. 

As a mother of three (owner Kelsey Medynski) these issues are very concerning. sēm label does not want to be a contributing factor to this but be a brand that creates change in this industry and this is how we intend on doing it. 

Our Packaging 

It is all from recycled materials including the hang tags, the thank you cards, tissue paper, and mailers. The mailers are reusable and everything can be recycled so please DO NOT throw them in the garbage. We have done all we can to deliver your items with the least harm done to the environment so please continue those steps and recycle. 

Our Textiles 

All of our garments are made out of sustainable textiles such as bamboo. Bamboo is a very sustainable crop; it is a fast growing grass, it requires no fertilizer and self-regenerates from its own roots, so it does not need to be replanted. When compared to cotton cultivation, which requires large amounts of water, pesticides and labour, the advantages are pretty clear. We try to use as little cotton in our products as possible as it is a very durable fiber but not sustainable for all our garments to be made out of. 

 

Who Made Your Clothes

All of our garments are manufactured locally to us in Calgary, Alberta. We have partnered with a manufacture that reflects our brand ethos and care. Kem's Fashion cares about supporting the refugee community in Calgary and giving skilled workers an above living wage and safe working conditions. This is a huge deal to Canadian new comers to find an employer that cares about the struggles they face as immigrants. The owners Marlyse and Thierry were once new comers to Canada as well so they can relate to the struggles and have made it their mission to help this community. 

 

Our Goals

We are trying our best to make ethical and sustainable decisions for the brand but we have a long way to go to where we want to be. Our 10 year goal is to build a global brand that not only creates but gives back. Check back for more details on our goals and road map to making it happen.