Production

A Family Business

It's important for us to work with like minded people who value sustainable practices, high quality and fair working conditions, just as we do.

 

As a small brand we have tried various of production ways and have come to the conclusion that to us, simplifying our production process to only have one link in our production chain, is the most effective, easiest and most sustainable way for us.

 

Before, we sourced our textiles from eco friendly suppliers around the world, then had our styles sewn in a small sewing house in Bulgaria, who employed women from the local area. This process was quite costly to us, and as there were many steps in our value-chain we had constantly delays, with our fabric coming from one place, our lining from another and so on. With our small batch productions, this process didn't really work well for us.

 

We decided to find a supplier who could deliver the fabrics AND sew our styles. As we are a small company (and still with little finances) it was a struggle to find a supplier with a low minimum of quantity in each style. As we grow, the quantity of each style grows, but we want to do this in an organic way and let's be honest here, it takes time.

 

We currently work with Herbal Fab, a family owned business, who is making our newest designs come to life. Herbal Fab supports small brands like ours, to grow in an organic way and their knowledge about sustainable fashion production is a big inspiration to us. We are looking forward to continue our work with them.

 

Furthermore, with our relocation to Bali, we are in the process of finding more suppliers in Bali to connect and build a strong partnership with.

 

Finding the right partners takes time and we learn from every step we take.

A&A Eco

Herbal Fab

The Studio

 

The A&A studio is surrounded by a garden and farmlands. It's cooled with air coolers. There is lots of sunlight and free jaggery for everyone. A vegetable garden is next to the studio, where A&A grows organic vegetables which are served for lunch and surplus vegetables are distributed among every employee, which currently counts for 13 employees.

The fabrics and clothes made at A&A's studio is washed with soap nuts and air dried in their garden.

They are currently 70% solar powered and working to be a 100% solar powered studio.

Zero Waste


The factory consume up to 98% of fabric and use the left overs for their partners left over projects, their own upcycling projects or stitch clothes and donate them to various NGOs. Our scrunchies and headbands are made from left over fabrics and ensures minimal waste. Cut-off fabrics are also used as packaging for our styles.

Wages

 

Just as we care about our partners' wages, so does A&A. They pay approximately 550$ per month to tailors. 700$ to master tailors and supervisors. And their support staff receive minimum 400$ per month. All their staff get production incentive, which is a small percentage per style. They also receive a yearly bonus on Diwali Festival which is approximately 1-2 months salary and gifts for their families.

 

A&A provide medical insurance for every staff member and scholarships for their staffs' kids.

Working Conditions


The staff don't work double shifts or night shifts. If it's a rush, they occasionally work Sundays.

Their working hours are from 10 am -6 pm, an 8 hour day, which includes an 1 hour break. 30 min. lunch break and 2 x 15 min. snack break. Lunch and snacks are provided by A&A. Every employee receive 1 paid holiday per month besides Sundays.

Printing

 

A&A create prints from either block, screen or digital printing. They only use GOTS and Oeko-Tex certified Konica Minolta and Huntsman inks which are azo-free, nickel free and food safe. Their fabrics has been tested in Europe for food safety and child safety.

Certifications


As mentioned, A&A follows Max Havelaar and GOTS Fair Trade guidelines. Their fabrics are fully GOTS certified, Eco Cert, Oeko-tex 100 and Woolmark certified.

 

Furthermore they supports 4 NGO's through Give India, working extensively for wild life conservation, disabled care and child education (with main focus on girls).

 

The Company

 

Herbal Fab was founded by the two brothers Prashant and Kunal Balar. Seeing how the production of conventional textile processing left irreparable damage to the environment, the brothers vowed to make a change and started Herbal Fab in 2007.

 

Herbal Fab helps smaller brands and start ups who have sustainable and ethical values with a low minimum of quantity per style. They have sustainable know-how and knowledge and their vision is that sustainable and ethical fashion shouldn't be a niche, but the norm.

 

Certification

 

Herbal Fab is fully GOTS certified.

GOTS certification one of the highest standards for sustainable processing of textiles which includes social responsibility with fair wages and work environment and conditions.
The guidelines are strictly adhered to, and the verification process is carried out by independent companies, with facilities being physically inspected to verify standards are met.

Wages

 

Being a GOTS certified factory means that each of Herbal Fab's employees earn a fair living wage. A fair living wage is based on the amount a person needs to be paid for an average workweek, to achieve a decent standard of living for their family.

Working Conditions

 

Herbal Fabs employees work for 8 hours, 6 days a week. They don't won't on Sundays or National/Festival Holidays. If someone is in need of money for some urgent work, Herbal Fab help their employees with lending money, which can later be deducted

from the salary on the employees convenience and commitment.

Dyeing and Printing

 

Herbal Fab uses natural plant dyes and GOTS certified low impact dyes. Using GOTS dyes implies that all chemical inputs, such as dyestuff and auxiliaries, used in the production, have met specific environmental and restricted toxicological criteria.

Who Made Your Clothes

 

Herbal Fab stands with Fashion Revolutions initiative and participates in the Who Made Your Clothes campaign. Each of their employees are listed on their website to show their transparency and ethical beliefs.

See who made your clothes here.

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