Fashion without compromise, timelessness, and sustainability are all at the core of Aligne, a new sustainable fashion label that recently launched.
Founded by Dalbir Bains and based in England, Aligne is centred around contemporary collections filled with effortless, versatile pieces created using planet-friendly materials and processes.
For Aligne, environmental sustainability is a top priority, which is why they don’t just use eco-friendly fabrics but also incorporate factories and sourcing methods that are sustainable.
When it comes to the fabrics used to bring Aligne’s inaugural womenswear collection to life, they sought to design with the future in mind, and this meant timeless silhouettes and conscious materials. Specifically, Aligne utilizes organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Lenzing EcoVero viscose.
Organic cotton is fair trade, uses natural fertilizers and processes (meaning it’s free from GMOs and pesticides), and is 80% rain-fed, drastically reducing water usage compared to traditional cotton. Further, recycled polyester provides a second chance for a non-biodegradable material that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. The best part about recycled polyester is that it produces 75% less carbon emissions than brand new polyester. Finally, Lenzing EcoVero viscose is the most innovative fabric that Aligne uses. It is created through pulp taken from renewable resource wood found in sustainably managed forests.
In addition to the three fabrics mentioned above, all Aligne styles that feature denim were produced with 50% less water than traditional denim. Overall, when it comes to the fabrics they use, Aligne’s promise to the consumer is that at least 50 percent of every style they design is sustainable, with many pieces being 100% sustainable. Their goal is to make 80 percent of their collection fully sustainable by 2022.
In regards to the factories they work with, Aligne only partners with forward-thinking facilities that have credentials to back them up. For example, every factory that produces Aligne clothing must be committed to using sustainable practices, like zero waste, waterless production, and renewable energy.
They must also agree to be subject to an ethical audit by the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit, and all fabrics must be certified before they are used by any factory. Certification comes from either Global Recycle Standards (GRS) for polyester or Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) for organic cotton and Lenzing EcoVera viscose.
Ultimately, Aligne believes that they owe it to their consumers to be transparent about where and how the clothing they buy is being manufactured. That is why they do not hesitate to draw attention to the factories they have partnered with, through an entire webpage on their website dedicated to these factories.
Sourcing is yet another way that Aligne demonstrates their dedication to the planet. They pride themselves on exclusively sourcing from brands and countries that align with their mission, while also trying to source as locally as possible. Currently, the UK-based fashion brand sources over 50 percent of their collection directly from Europe. They work with countries like Portugal, Romania, and Turkey.
