No, Arcana Archive is not a fast fashion brand. It operates as a slow fashion label, prioritizing timeless designs, small-batch production, and deliberate seasonal collections over rapid trend replication.
The brand demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical labor practices by manufacturing in high-wage regions and maintaining supply chain transparency. On the sustainability front, it heavily utilizes certified organic and recycled materials while working toward clear environmental goals, though it could improve by publishing more comprehensive impact data.
Arcana Archive’s business model fundamentally opposes the core principles of fast fashion. Its operations are built on thoughtful production, quality, and longevity rather than speed and volume.
Arcana Archive displays a commendable commitment to ethical production, focusing on worker welfare and supply chain accountability. However, there are minor gaps in formal certifications that could strengthen its claims.
Manufacturing is based in Europe and North America, regions with robust labor laws. The brand partners with small, certified factories that adhere to safety standards like SA8000. Workers are reported to earn wages above the local minimum, for instance, a supplier in Spain pays €12-€15 per hour, which is in line with the regional living wage benchmark of €13-€16 per hour.
The brand is highly transparent, publishing annual social responsibility reports with detailed supply chain information. These reports include the results of third-party audits from organizations like Bureau Veritas and the Fair Wear Foundation, demonstrating a commitment to accountability.
Arcana Archive is a cruelty-free brand that primarily uses plant-based materials like organic cotton and Tencel lyocell. It avoids animal-derived materials such as leather, fur, and exotic skins and does not conduct or commission any animal testing.
Arcana Archive has built its brand around strong sustainability principles, focusing on eco-friendly materials, waste reduction, and ambitious environmental goals. Its primary shortcoming is a lack of publicly available, comprehensive impact data.
Sustainable materials are an operational cornerstone, with approximately 70% of collections made from organic, recycled, or sustainably farmed fabrics. This includes GOTS-certified organic cotton from India and Turkey and Tencel lyocell produced in a closed-loop system in Austria.
The brand minimizes its production footprint by using water-efficient, low-impact dyeing techniques that reduce water usage by up to 90% compared to industry averages. Factories are encouraged to use renewable energy, with some European facilities reaching 100% renewable energy use.
Arcana Archive promotes a circular economy through a garment take-back program for recycling and by encouraging repairs to extend product life. Small production runs and made-to-order practices nearly eliminate deadstock waste. All packaging is recyclable or compostable, avoiding single-use plastics.
The company has set clear, science-based targets, including achieving 90% sustainable material usage by 2025, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2028, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2030. As a certified B Corporation, its goals are verified and aligned with high standards of social and environmental performance.
Arcana Archive is a genuinely conscientious brand that operates far from the harmful fast fashion model. Its practices reflect a sincere dedication to social and environmental responsibility, with strong foundations and clear goals for continuous improvement.
Arcana Archive earns a B+ for its excellent labor practices, including manufacturing in high-wage regions and maintaining a high degree of supply chain transparency through audits and reports. Its cruelty-free material policy further boosts its score. The grade is held back from an A by the absence of a formal, brand-wide Fair Trade certification and comprehensive, publicly verified living wage data across its entire supply chain.
The brand receives a B for its impressive use of sustainable materials (70%), its robust circularity programs, and its ambitious, science-based targets as a certified B Corp. The commitment to minimizing water, energy, and chemical impacts during production is commendable. However, it falls short of an A due to a lack of publicly available, granular data on its overall carbon footprint and water usage, which is necessary for full accountability.
While Arcana Archive is a great choice, these brands set an even higher bar with industry-leading certifications, radical transparency, and proven impact, making them excellent options for discerning consumers.
A B Corp leader in outdoor apparel, Patagonia uses over 80% recycled materials and guarantees fair labor through its extensive Fair Trade Certified program. Their Worn Wear program exemplifies circularity, and they are aiming for carbon neutrality by 2025.
Shop now at patagonia.com
As a pioneer of ethical fashion, every product from People Tree is Fair Trade Certified, empowering artisans in developing nations. The brand uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel, and responsible wool with a deep commitment to environmental protection and social justice.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This certified B Corp specializes in timeless basics made from authentic Egyptian cotton with a fully transparent supply chain from farm to factory. Kotn is Fair Trade Certified, partners directly with farmers, funds community development, and ensures living wages for its workers.
Shop now at kotn.com
Eileen Fisher champions circular design through its Renew take-back program and the use of sustainable fibers like organic cotton and linen. As a B Corp, the brand maintains high standards for social and environmental performance in its supply chain.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
Amour Vert crafts stylish clothing in limited quantities to eliminate waste and is known for its signature sustainable fabrics. For every t-shirt sold, the company plants a tree, and 97% of its products are made in California, which ensures strong labor standards.
Shop now at amourvert.com
Reformation offers trendy styles with a sustainable twist, using low-impact materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified and provides detailed "RefScale" reports for each product, tracking its water and carbon savings.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Arcana Archive is a cruelty-free brand that avoids leather, fur, and exotic skins. It primarily uses plant-based and synthetic fibers like organic cotton and recycled polyester, but it’s best to check individual product labels to confirm if any collection contains materials like recycled wool.
The brand's B grade reflects its strong sustainable practices but also its key area for improvement: data transparency. To earn an A, it would need to publish comprehensive, third-party verified reports on its total carbon emissions and water usage across its entire supply chain.
Arcana Archive manufactures its clothing in small, certified factories based in Europe and North America. This ensures that production is governed by strict labor laws and environmental regulations, unlike fast fashion brands that often manufacture in low-wage countries with minimal oversight.
Yes, Arcana Archive is a certified B Corporation. This certification legally requires it to consider the impact of its decisions on its workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment, verifying its commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance.
