サステナビリティ
We believe in fewer, simpler, and better. We take a holistic approach to our supply chain, from raw materials,
to air miles, to workers’ welfare. We create clothing which is easy to care for,
so that you can slow down and spend more time with your children.
We use organic and sustainable fibers. We will support you in mending, repairing, or recycling your Owa Yurika garments.
We take this extra care so that our kids can feel carefree. We see our sustainable practice as an investment in a future in which there is more greenery, more tree-climbing, and not quite so much dry-cleaning.
We take this extra care so that our kids can feel carefree. We see our sustainable practice as an investment in a future in which there is more greenery, more tree-climbing, and not quite so much dry-cleaning.
STEP 1: We are mindful by design
We believe in fewer, simpler, and better. We take a holistic approach to our supply chain, from raw materials,
to air miles, to workers’ welfare. We create clothing which is easy to care for,
so that you can slow down and spend more time with your children.
We use organic and sustainable fibers. We will support you in mending, repairing, or recycling your Owa Yurika garments.
We take this extra care so that our kids can feel carefree. We see our sustainable practice as an investment in a future in which there is more greenery, more tree-climbing, and not quite so much dry-cleaning.
We take this extra care so that our kids can feel carefree. We see our sustainable practice as an investment in a future in which there is more greenery, more tree-climbing, and not quite so much dry-cleaning.
STEP 2: We are sustainable by nature
We only use materials which feel right.
We love researching and exploring to discover contemporary natural fabrics with unique properties,
and we’re always mindful of the way our cloth will adapt to active bodies and sit against young skin.
Most of our fabrics are sourced from suppliers which are local to our factories –
this minimizes the miles travelled by each garment. Our current collection uses over 95% natural fibers,
and our materials are always organic when available.
We’ve set ourselves the goal of making 100% of our products with natural and sustainable fibers by 2021.
Materials
We are taking positive steps towards a world in which we use exclusively natural and sustainable cloth.
We use the following materials wherever possible:
We use the following materials wherever possible:
Organic Cotton
All our cotton meets the highest global benchmark, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
This means that every single fibre is grown on certified organic farms. Our supply chain,
from farm to yarn, is monitored for toxic chemicals, water contamination,
and hazards to human and planetary health, as well as for worker welfare abuses.
Sadly, this is not the case for most of the cotton that is used in kids’ clothing today.
Tencel
Lightweight, smooth and breathable, Tencel™ is derived from renewable and sustainably harvested wood pulp.
The fibres are processed in a closed loop system that reclaims and re-uses all the chemicals it needs,
which means that the process produces almost no toxic effluent.
Tencel garments are kind to the planet – they are compostable and biodegradable –
but they are also long-lasting. We hope that our Tencel garments will be passed down,
so that future generations can experience their luxurious feel.
Cupro
From water to cotton, Cupro is a magic fabric for reducing waste.
It’s made from cotton linter, which is a byproduct of cotton manufacture.
Like Tencel and Lyocell, Cupro is produced in a closed loop,
which means that the chemicals used can be extracted afterwards and the water can be reused.
It’s also made from 100% plant-based materials, which means that it’s biodegradable.
And if you thought it couldn’t get any better …Cupro can be washed in water,
by machine or by hand, so there’s no need to dry clean.
Linen
Natural linen has a very low environmental impact as it grows freely,
usually without the use of pesticides or even fertilisers.
We value it for its quality, longevity and versatility: it’s breathable, but tough,
which is what active kids need. We also consider it a healthy fabric because its organic fibres will not
cause contamination in the distant future, at the end of its life as a material.
Recycled Polyester
When we use recycled polyester, we reduce the amount of petroleum that is needed as a raw material in the manufacture of our fabrics.
We divert PET bottles for this process in order to reduce landfill, and this means less soil contamination,
and less air and water pollution, too.
STEP 3: We take a holistic approach to ethical production
Our products are made by people we know. We visit every factory to ensure that the people work there happily and
are cared for as they should be. Each garment is made with skill in Japan, England and China.
Nara, Japan
As a company with Japanese heritage, we are passionate about supporting traditional
Japanese manufacturing. Japanese garment factories, which have a global reputation for
quality craftsmanship, have been a victim of low-cost international labour -
the number of craftsman factories in Japan has declined by three-quarters since the 1990s.
Since 2016, our family-run Nara factory has been working against this curve.
Built up by three generations of women, it offers flexible working conditions to attract
people back to the profession. With mothers and housewives enthusiastically returning to work,
we hope that the skilled manufacturing tradition can blossom again.
London, UK
We have a very close relationship with our factory in North London,
which has been run by the same family for over forty years –
at the moment, a father-daughter team is in charge.
We visit often, so we know that operations meet all our ethical standards and
that people who work there are treated well.
Scrap fabrics are donated to social enterprises so that they can be turned into new garments.
Zhuji, China
Our factory in Zhuji, China, has been recognized for the progress it has made in minimizing its carbon footprint.
It has been awarded a WRAP gold certificate (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production).
WRAP is a non-profit organisation which exists to ensure that manufacturing practices are lawful,
ethical, safe for workers, and for our planet.
At Owa Yurika, we check the WRAP report ourselves,
as a second phase of auditing, and follow up to make sure any minor corrective recommendations have been fully addressed.
STEP 4: We repair with love
While all our garments are designed for quality and longevity,
we expect some wear and tear over time – in fact, we appreciate wear and tear,
it’s a memory of movement. Your beloved products can often be brought back to life with a small repair.
We are happy to provide you with missing buttons and to assist with any specific requirements –
contact us on info@owayurika.com, so that you can love our clothes for a long time.
STEP 5: We recycle for the future
We love to repair, recycle, and pass things forward.
If you ever come to a point at which your Owa Yurika clothes can no longer be worn,
please do send them back to us. We will recycle responsibly, or,
if possible, we will donate your loved and worn clothing to a charity we work with so that they can find a new life.
