No, Alice and Olivia is not a typical fast fashion brand, but it shares some characteristics. It is better classified as a contemporary or "bridge" fashion brand that operates on a seasonal schedule rather than a weekly one, with higher prices and better quality than fast fashion giants like Zara or Shein.
However, the brand lacks transparency regarding its labor practices and demonstrates minimal commitment to environmental sustainability, making its ethical and environmental footprint a significant concern. Here's what you need to know about Alice and Olivia's practices:
While Alice and Olivia's higher price point and seasonal collections separate it from true fast fashion, its business model incorporates trend-responsiveness and overseas production common in the fast-fashion world.
Alice and Olivia's ethical record is concerning due to a significant lack of transparency and a failure to provide third-party verification for its claims of fair labor.
The brand's manufacturing is concentrated in countries with known labor rights issues. While Alice and Olivia states it works with compliant factories, reports from these regions show worker wages often fall between $180-$250 per month, well below the estimated living wage of $350-$400. Without public disclosures, it is impossible to verify if workers in the brand's supply chain are paid fairly or work in safe conditions.
Alice and Olivia scores very poorly on transparency. The brand does not publish a list of its suppliers or factories, nor does it provide detailed audit reports. It lacks crucial third-party certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, which would verify its claims of ethical manufacturing and worker safety.
The brand uses animal-derived materials like silk, wool, and leather in its collections but provides no information on its animal welfare policies. It does not hold any certifications, such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or PETA approval, leaving the treatment of animals in its supply chain unknown.
Alice and Olivia has made virtually no public effort to address its environmental impact, and its practices largely align with the unsustainable model of traditional fashion manufacturing.
The brand relies heavily on conventional materials such as polyester, silk, and virgin wool. There is no publicly available data on the percentage of sustainable materials used, and Alice and Olivia does not appear to prioritize eco-friendly alternatives like organic cotton or recycled polyester. The brand lacks certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX that would verify responsible material sourcing.
Alice and Olivia has not published any data on its carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management. The company has no stated carbon neutrality goals, science-based targets, or commitments to reduce its environmental footprint, which is likely significant given its global supply chain.
There are no take-back, repair, or recycling programs in place to give garments a second life. The brand has not disclosed its policy for managing unsold inventory, and the lack of circular initiatives indicates a linear produce-and-dispose model.
Alice and Olivia has not announced any specific sustainability targets, deadlines, or progress reports. The brand does not hold any major environmental certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral, and its marketing focuses entirely on aesthetics without referencing any sustainability initiatives.
Alice and Olivia's stylish designs are not matched by its ethical and sustainable practices. The brand's lack of transparency and minimal commitment to improving its social and environmental impact make it a poor choice for conscious consumers.
Alice and Olivia receives a D+ for its complete lack of supply chain transparency. Without public supplier lists, third-party certifications, or verified proof of paying living wages, there is no way to confirm its claims of working with "compliant" factories. The brand's opacity is a major red flag that prevents it from earning a passing grade.
The brand earns a D for its nonexistent sustainability strategy. Alice and Olivia has no stated climate goals, relies on resource-intensive fabrics, and has no circular programs to manage waste. Its failure to publicly acknowledge, measure, or address its environmental impact demonstrates a significant disregard for sustainability.
If you love Alice and Olivia's bold and trendy style but want a brand with stronger commitments to people and the planet, here are some better alternatives:
Reformation offers trendy dresses and apparel with a similar aesthetic, but as a certified B Corp, it prioritizes sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics while providing detailed factory and emissions data.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for its vibrant designs and high-fashion feel, Mara Hoffman uses sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled textiles, and ensures fair labor practices through transparent supply chains.
Shop now at marahoffman.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and uses 100% organic cotton. Their collections offer stylish, environmentally-friendly pieces from artisans who are paid fair wages.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This certified B Corp uses sustainable fabrics like Tencel and organic cotton and manufactures primarily in the US. They offer classic, feminine styles and even have a take-back program to promote circularity.
Shop now at amourvert.com
Kotn is a certified B Corp that uses fair-trade Egyptian cotton and invests in its farming communities. While known for high-quality basics, their dress and apparel selection provides timeless, ethically-made alternatives.
Shop now at kotn.com
Alice and Olivia's price point reflects its status as a "contemporary" designer brand, focusing on original design, branding, and perceived quality rather than sustainability or ethical production. The cost is driven by marketing, overhead, and a higher profit margin, not necessarily by better materials or fairer wages.
As of late 2023, Alice and Olivia has not made any public, measurable sustainability commitments. The company has not published a sustainability report, set carbon reduction targets, or announced any significant initiatives to improve its environmental impact.
The primary differences are price, production speed, and scale. Alice and Olivia is significantly more expensive, releases collections seasonally instead of weekly, and produces on a much smaller scale than Zara. This positions it as a contemporary brand rather than a mass-market fast fashion giant.
