Sustainability Q+A with FUB

INTERVIEW WITH ANNE-SOFIE OLRIK
PARTNER FUB

WHAT CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT THE ETHOS OF FUB?

We make contemporary classic fashion - made to last for seasons both in style and quality. All FUB styles are crafted with extra care for the environment. It is essential to us that we can offer our customers healthy sustainable products that have had a minimum pollutive impact in the making.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AND IS YOUR WHOLE TEAM THERE?

FUB is located in Denmark. The main office is located on the countryside, 25km outside of Aarhus but the team is working from all across Denmark. Our philosophy is to ensure that our employees have the freedom to plan their own work and we encourage the ability to work independently. We believe that this is an important basis for maintaining work life balance.

WHERE ARE THE COLLECTIONS PRODUCED? ARE YOU ABLE TO CLOSELY MONITOR YOUR PRODUCTION?

We value long term relations both when it comes to people and fashion. Our collections are produced in China and we have been working with the same manufacturer since the very beginning 13 years ago. Our collaboration originates from a professional agreement, but years of changing seasons and growing collections have made it clear that most importantly our collaboration is founded on mutual trust and respect. We have visited the factory and can vouch for their integrity and production methods, which can be compared to EU standards.

WHAT WAS YOU PROCESS IN SELECTING YOUR FACTORIES AND HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR MANUFACTURERS ARE MEETING BEST ETHICAL PRACTICES? DO THEY HAVE ANY CERTIFICATIONS?

The quality of our manufacturer’s work reflects the craftsman skills that are essential for the FUB brand. The factory workers have the best conditions and many of them have been part of the business for many years. They are highly skilled and carefully trained to operate the German knitting machines used to produce the high-quality knitwear that our manufacturer specializes in. Our manufacture is working towards being GOTS certified.

WHAT KIND OF FABRICS DO YOU MOST USE?

We only use OEKO-TEX® certified non-mulesed merino wool, OEKO-TEX® certified lambswool and GOTS certified organic cotton.

The wool we use for our winter collections is the best and softest merino wool that has many characteristics. It keeps you warm and at the same time it draws sweat away from the skin and retains the moisture, so the clothing still feels dry to the touch. This is why it is recommendable to wear wool all year round. The cotton used for the summer collections is purely organic and GOTS certified. We have chosen the strongest, finest and softest organic cotton that promotes healthy development for mankind.

We only use clean materials free from harmful chemicals.

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US ABOUT HOW YOUR FABRICS ARE DYED?

All our materials are dyed according to OEKO-TEX standards meaning that no harmful substances are used in the process.

HOW DO YOU SELECT THE FABRICS YOU USE AND WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?

We always use the same quality of yarn. The origin varies according to price and availability, but our strict standards are never deviated.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR OVERSTOCK OF MATERIALS AND FABRIC SCRAPS?

We do fully fashion knitwear, which means that there is no waste in the production since we use the same yarn season after season, and we can use the leftovers for the next sampling of prototypes. Our production is limited to a minimum meaning that we only produce for orders – not for stock and not for waste. Only for long term use.

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR PACKAGING FOR SHIPMENTS TO CUSTOMERS?

We use bags made of biodegradable plastic for delivery to end users.

DO YOU USE INDIVIDUAL BAGS FOR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WHEN YOU SHIP TO RETAILERS? IF YES, ARE THEY RECYCLED AND/OR COMPOSTABLE?

Every item is packed individually in biodegradable plastic bags from the supplier and is not unpacked or repacked before it is delivered to the customer – wholesaler or end-user. This is to ensure that the clothing doesn’t get moldy or is damaged in any way by changes in temperature and humidity during transportation.

DO YOU USE RECYCLED PAPER FOR YOUR HANG TAGS, POSTCARDS AND LOOKBOOKS?

Our look books are printed on FSC certified ecolabel paper.

DOES FUB PARTNER WITH ANY LOCAL OR GLOBAL CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT?

We occasionally donate cloth to Mødrehjælpen, which is a private Danish humanitarian organization that supports and strengthens vulnerable families with children and pregnant women through counseling and voluntary activities.

DO YOU WANT TO SHARE ANYTHING ELSE WITH OUR READERS ON YOUR EFFORTS IN SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICAL PRACTICES?

Our aim from the very beginning has been to produce high quality knitwear in pure natural materials. Every day we take small steps on the way to become 100% sustainable in everything we do.