At eugenie, we believe sustainability is nuanced and context-dependent—each designer follows their unique path toward our shared goal of planetary well-being. Our ethos is built on meticulous curation, highlighting primarily independent, women-owned labels actively working to reduce their impact on both people and the planet.
Scroll down to read more about how we embody our sustainable ethos.
We thoroughly research every brand we carry, evaluating their production practices, materials, social standards, and commitment to circularity, and share our findings transparently with our community online. We prioritize supporting women-owned businesses and those embracing diversity and inclusion, while celebrating brands that reduce waste, use natural materials, and promote fair labor practices.
Ongoing education and transparency are critical in the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable fashion. We believe in doing this work internally, with our team, through in-depth weekly brand trainings and regular cross-team dialogues about the nuances of sustainability in our industry. Externally, we make sustainability information accessible to our wider community on our website, share brand and designer-specific infographics on social media, and publish public spotlights featuring interviews with artists and designers about their sustainable practices.
Beyond our curated collections, we’re dedicated to promoting sustainability in our community through initiatives like pop-ups for local designers, donations to Detroit organizations like Alternatives for Girls and the Empowerment Plan, an annual grant for sustainable fashion designers in Detroit, and the creation of ARCHIVE by eugenie—a sister store that extends the life of products by offering sustainable apparel outside traditional seasonal cycles.
Our dedication to the environment shapes every aspect of our operations, from the brands we partner with to the packaging we use. We source boxes, bags, and mailers that are better for the planet, using materials like post-consumer waste, recycled tree-free content, and compostable fibers. By choosing packaging that is almost entirely USA-made, we cut down on transportation-related pollution and invest in our local economy.
This same commitment extends beyond our walls and into our hometown of Detroit. We actively work to fill the gaps in our city’s infrastructure by organizing clothing drives and advocating for commercial recycling options in our neighborhood. Together, we believe in shaping a future where sustainability transcends factory floors and becomes an integral part of the small, everyday moments in our lives.
We share our behind-the-scenes brand research openly, using clear, accessible terms that everyone can understand. When shopping with us online, sustainability details for our brands are available under the product descriptions—just scroll down! With our transparent approach, you can make choices that align with your values, creating ripples of positive impact that extend into the wider world.
What makes our brands sustainable?
At eugenie, we do the research so you can feel confident about the products you purchase, use, and wear.
Our team thoroughly evaluates the sustainability practices of every designer we feature, ensuring your choices support a positive impact on the world.
Sustainability can be complex, so we've broken it down in a way that’s clear, simple, and easy to understand.
Natural & Responsible Materials
The majority of eugenie's brands embrace natural, ethically sourced, and environmentally responsible materials. This includes familiar options like organic cotton and linen, as well as innovative eco-friendly fabrics such as TENCEL and Cupro.
Beyond the materials themselves, many of our brands also prioritize sourcing from local suppliers who employ their own sustainable production practices and adhere to third-party certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). Local material sourcing helps reduce the energy consumption and waste associated with long-distance transportation, and helps stimulate local communities and economies.
Fair, Local Production, & Small Batch Production
A garment’s integrity is rooted in the process behind it—how it's made matters as much as what it becomes. At eugenie, we carefully consider the production practices of the brands we carry. We champion approaches like local manufacturing and small-batch production to help reduce waste, curb overconsumption, and minimize pollution.
By producing only what is needed, and doing so as close to home as possible, these brands are making a thoughtful and tangible contribution to a more sustainable fashion industry.
Social Standards & Community Contributions
Sustainable production upholds ethical standards for the craftspeople who bring it to life. When selecting brands to feature in our store, we prioritize those with third-party certifications that ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the people making our garments.
True sustainability extends through every level of the supply chain, meaning workers should be paid fair wages and operate in safe, respectful environments. Some of the certifications we look for include Fairtrade, Leather Working Group (LWG), OEKO-TEX, SA8000, and B Corp, among others.
Recycled & Reused Materials
Many of our brands work with recycled and repurposed materials, either in the form of scrap cuttings or deadstock. Deadstock refers to fabric no longer suitable for its original purpose, with the term “dead-stock” breaking down to signify stock that has lost its living vitality. Various reasons, such as overproduction or a brand's surplus, can render a fabric roll deadstock.
Brands employing small-batch production often purchase deadstock materials, appreciating their limited quantities and unique aesthetic properties. We also source products from brands that incorporate recycled fibers like recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and more. Utilizing recycled and repurposed materials is a major contributor to the circularity and sustainability of a product.
Low Carbon Footprint
The fashion industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, with production, transportation, and manufacturing processes all adding to its environmental impact. That's why we prioritize brands that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint at every stage of production.
These brands focus on sustainable practices such as using renewable energy sources, optimizing supply chains to minimize transportation emissions, and selecting low-impact materials. By supporting brands that are dedicated to lowering their carbon footprint, we help promote a more sustainable and environmentally responsible fashion industry.
Low Water Usage
The fashion industry is responsible for roughly 20% of global industrial wastewater largely due to processes like toxic dyeing and textile treatment, according to the World Economic Forum. This statistic underscores the urgent need to reduce water usage wherever possible in garment production. That’s why we prioritize brands that are committed to minimizing their water impact, especially when it comes to materials like denim.
Strategies for reducing wastewater include developing innovative washing and rinsing methods, using environmentally friendly dyes, repurposing grey water from previous production cycles, and more.
Circularity
Producing and purchasing apparel is only the beginning of an item’s long-term journey. A sustainable lifecycle considers how long a garment lasts, its durability through wear, the materials it releases into our water systems, and how it is ultimately discarded. Brands that focus on the circularity of their products are considering what it means for their garments to remain in use at every stage.
We look for brands that aim to extend or transform the end life of their products by repurposing, reworking, or recycling them. This can include donating and deconstructing garments. Extra points if the garment is made and treated with biodegradable materials!
Conservation
Being mindful of the materials we use is just as important as replenishing the land they come from. That’s why we seek out brands that actively support conservation-focused organizations, such as Canopy and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Directing monetary resources back into the environment creates a reciprocal model of consumption that helps protect and sustain natural resources for generations to come.
Low Waste
Today, there are many ways for brands to minimize waste throughout different stages of their process. This might include precise cutting and ordering, repurposing excess materials, donating backstock, or making thoughtful choices around dyeing and texturing garments. We value brands that take a unique and intentional approach to waste reduction that reflects their particular identity and commitment to sustainability.