RESPONSIBILITY
For nordeen, responsible practices is a continuous path. Each mindful decision made for the brand is with the aim to contribute positively to an economy and society which holds value in people and in nature.
This journey is far from easy - continuously being faced with new challenges, there is a long way to go. However, nordeen is built with the commitment to be an HONEST brand focused on designing beautiful quality product whilst preserving production integrity.
The collection is made in collaboration with manufacturers and suppliers that share the same values of responsible production. mainly Using materials woven with natural fibers, each piece in the collection is individually sewn by skilled hands located in New York City and Los Angeles.
Photo Courtesy of Cedar & Pines
TRANSPARENCY
nordeen could not be what it is today without those involved behind the scenes
There is a responsibility to ensure the manufacturers and suppliers in partnership with nordeen share the same values and fairly treat their own makers with respect. The people involved in the development and production of these garments are deeply cared for and nordeen works hard to maintain strong, trusting relationships with everyone.
Each piece in the collection is made to order, individually sewn by skilled hands in Los Angeles and New York City. Those collaborating with nordeen include —
Balance Pattern, A woman owned atelier highly skilled in traditional couture techniques. located in the heart of downtown los angeles, the studio provides the ideal atmosphere for a made to measure experience.
Artsline Studio, a cozy, woman owned sample room contributing their skills to making nordeen separates and tailored pieces.
Mint Collaborative (working in partnership with Zion Dress Inc.) is a calm, woman owned, spa like atelier for pattern makers and sewers. An inspiring mentality of pride within team work has been cultivated within the dreamy space.
Cindia Z&K Inc., a family run studio that specializes in handling delicate silk material. Being a mother, Cindy handles each piece with the utmost care and treats nordeen like her own.
LW Pearl, a woman owned studio specializing in intricate and beautifully made embroidery, embellishment, and fabric manipulation.
MATERIALS
Silk
Being a lustrous, luxurious natural fiber with a fluid drape, silk is an ideal circular and zero-waste biomaterial. Meaning, it is readily biodegradable after it’s useful life, going on to transform into useful mulch or compost within a much faster timeframe than most synthetic fabrics. In silk production, silkworms munch on leaves from mulberry trees. These trees are generally grown without the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers on marginal land that cannot be used for other crops.
Wool
Also a natural fiber, wool is another circular and zero-waste biomaterial. Naturally long lasting and hard wearing, it is an ideal material to maintain warmth and withstand outdoor environments.
Every piece in the nordeen collection is made mainly using materials woven with natural fibers. Sourcing is done within a network of suppliers that hold the same value in developing environmentally preferred materials. Currently, these mills include —
Luigi Uboldi, established in 1950, this family founded mill based in como, italy is committed to implementing alternative solutions for more sustainable fabric developments and building a more environmentally responsible company. Granted the ICEA Certificate, luigi uboldi and qualifying products meet the requirements of the Global Recycle Standard.
Gruppocinque, a mill located in como, is committed to conscious empowerment by approaching sustainable development holistically. An expert with shuttle weaving and jacquards, their materials (including nordeen’s heavy satin) are produced exclusively in italy by relying on a local supply chain.
Teseo, a family owned Italian weaving mill based in Como that has been passed down through generations. Teseo is a GOTS certified mill, producing nordeen’s clean silks. This material is woven using fiber sourced from organic certified mills in China.
Delta Tex, a fabric mill located in Como, Italy, producing high quality organic silk materials that are certified throughout the entire production process - from fiber, to weaving, to dyeing and finishing the final product.
Sophie Hallette, a family run French house for tulle and lace based in Caudry and Calais, produces their materials on century old looms using historical techniques mastered through years of experience. Sophie Hallette weaves nordeen’s organic silk tulle, which is used as the delicate base for intricate embroideries.
Botto Giuseppe, an Italian yarn mill with two production facilities located in Valle Mosso and Tarcento. The facilities themselves are powered using hydroelectric energy produced by a local dam and solar energy absorbed by panels lining the roof. The wool yarn used from this mill is RWS certifieD.
Photo Courtesy of cedar & pines
CERTIFICATIONS
The choice to mainly use natural fibers already emphasizes nordeen’s stance behind renewable resources, which do not contribute to environmental harm. suppliers sourced from are held to high responsible standards and certifications are requested for materials developed. These certifications include —
Seri.Co
With its natural biodegradable characteristic, silk is already a low impact fiber. Seri.Co’s clean silk certification takes it one step further by guaranteeing quality compliance, an ethical code of conduct, and the absence of toxic or harmful substances in the dyeing and weaving production processes.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
A globally recognized standard, GOTS certifies the entire production process - from the fiber, to weaving, to the final phases of dyeing and finishing are all compliant with strict social and environmental criteria. This includes ethical cultivation and treatment of silk worms, the absence of harmful chemical substances, and the use of GOTS approved environmentally friendly dye stuffs.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Vision of the Forest STewardship Council is to meet the needs of products sourced from the forest, without compromising the health of forests around the world for future generations. Viscose is a cellulosic fiber that is spun from pulp found in wood. The FSC certification ensures this wood is sourced from forests that are responsibly managed in a way that prohibits the use of harmful chemicals, protects and restores natural water sources, and upholds the rights of local communities.
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
This certification assures the wool fiber comes from sheep that are not subject to painful mulesing. Additionally, it ensures the animals are respectfully treated on well managed lands following the five freedoms of animal welfare (freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from hunger/thirst, discomfort, pain/injury/disease, and fear/distress).