responsibility
by design.
responsibility is not an addition to our design process. it is where the process begins. designing with people, the environment, animals and future generations in mind.
aspects of sustainability
responsibility begins with the first idea. circularity is built into the design process from the very beginning and considered throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. from sourcing and production to use, longevity and what happens afterwards, each stage is thought through as part of the same system.
our approach is built around four interconnected spheres of sustainability: ethical, socio-political, ecological and economic. together, they shape the decisions we make and define how every product comes to life.
01ethical impact
responsible sourcing
we believe sustainability begins with people. wherever possible, we prioritise materials sourced within Europe while working internationally only with carefully selected production partners that meet our ethical and environmental standards. every supplier is chosen through a rigorous selection process that values traceability, transparency and responsible manufacturing.
supplier code of conduct
our supplier code of conduct is based on the four fundamental ILO principles, including freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the elimination of forced and child labour. every partner commits to these standards, as well as our requirement to pay living wages.
long-term partnerships
to ensure these commitments are upheld, we maintain close relationships with our production partners and visit both intermediary and final production facilities at least twice a year. we also operate plastic-free wherever possible and according to vegan production standards, considering animal welfare alongside our social and environmental responsibilities.
02socio-political impact
questioning systems
fashion has the power to question systems and create dialogue. through conceptual collections, maison blanche examines established structures, shifts perspectives and encourages critical conversations around identity, equality and social justice.
representation & inclusion
we are committed to human dignity, equality and amplifying underrepresented perspectives. our work seeks to create greater visibility and inclusion, with LGBTQIA+ communities remaining an important focus within this broader commitment.
social impact
for us, socio-political impact is not separate from design. alongside using our collections to create dialogue, we take part in initiatives and collaborations that translate these values into direct action. together with Jung von Matt, maison blanche initiated and launched Tags Against Crime, creating an initiative that uses garment tags to provide information around the preservation of DNA evidence and survivor justice.
for our SS24 collection presented at New York Fashion Week, we collaborated with Made For A Woman, whose artisans in Madagascar produced hand-knitted pieces for the collection. the collaboration supported their work in creating fair employment and economic opportunities for women and local communities.
through the shirt for positive impact, created in collaboration with Miele as part of the Miele x Mode Suisse Award for Positive Impact, 100% of proceeds are donated to DAO, supporting women’s shelters across Switzerland and Liechtenstein. so far, over CHF 20,000 has been raised and donated through the initiative.
beyond fashion, we also take part in local social initiatives such as Schweizer Tafel’s Suppentag, distributing soup to those in need in Zurich in support of its work with organisations such as Sozialwerk Pfarrer Sieber.
03ecological impact
responsible materials
we prioritise organic and regenerative cotton while continuously expanding our use of lower-impact fibres including hemp, flax and lyocell. every material is selected with its full lifecycle in mind, balancing environmental responsibility with quality and durability.
circular design
circularity begins at the design stage. from the first decisions around materials and construction, we consider how a product can remain in use for as long as possible and what can happen to it afterwards. pieces are designed to be worn and kept beyond a single season, while resale, second-hand and passing pieces on help keep them in circulation for longer.
resource efficiency
from packaging and shipping to production processes, we continuously seek ways to reduce environmental impact through more efficient use of resources and lower-impact solutions.
04economic impact
demand-led production
maison blanche follows a production model that closely aligns supply with demand, helping to avoid overproduction and unnecessary waste.
responsible growth
our collections are designed to complement one another rather than compete. growth is approached deliberately, ensuring commercial success never compromises our ethical, ecological or social commitments.
«responsibility should shape every decision, long before a product is made and long after it is worn.»
water & resource management
alongside our four sustainability pillars, we work closely with our production partners to continuously reduce water consumption, improve resource efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy throughout manufacturing. the figures below highlight measures implemented by specific production partners within our supply chain and represent their individual facilities and processes.