No, Azazie does not fit the traditional fast fashion model. Its made-to-order business practice significantly reduces the overproduction and waste common in fast fashion, placing it closer to a slow fashion framework. However, the brand is considered a hybrid due to its trend-driven styles and significant ethical and environmental shortcomings.
Azazie’s ethical record is weak due to a lack of supply chain transparency and no commitment to a living wage for its workers. On sustainability, it relies heavily on virgin synthetic fabrics with no clear targets to reduce its environmental impact, making its practices largely unsustainable despite the made-to-order model.
Azazie occupies a gray area, blending the slower, more conscious "made-to-order" production model with some characteristics of fast fashion. This unique approach sets it apart from brands like Shein or H&M but doesn't make it a fully sustainable or ethical choice.
Azazie’s ethical commitments are weak and lack verification. While the company claims to have a supplier code of conduct, the absence of transparency and third-party certifications makes it impossible to confirm fair labor conditions.
Azazie’s garments are manufactured primarily in China, where ensuring ethical labor standards is a persistent challenge. The company states it audits suppliers but provides no public reports or proof of these audits, making its claims difficult to substantiate. It does not hold any recognized fair labor certifications, such as Fair Trade or SA8000.
Azazie has made no public commitment to paying a living wage, a critical benchmark for ethical production. Workers in their manufacturing regions typically earn just $150–$200 per month, which falls far short of the estimated living wage of $300–$400 needed to cover basic needs in many parts of Asia.
The brand’s supply chain is almost entirely opaque. It does not publish a list of its factory partners, nor is it a member of any major industry transparency initiatives. Without this information, consumers have no way to know who makes their clothes or under what conditions.
Azazie predominantly uses synthetic and plant-based fabrics like polyester, chiffon, and satin, so its products are generally free of animal-derived materials like leather or fur. While this means it avoids most animal welfare concerns, its materials have other significant environmental impacts.
Azazie’s sustainability performance is poor. While its made-to-order model significantly reduces pre-consumer waste, this single positive is heavily outweighed by its reliance on petroleum-based fabrics and a total lack of meaningful environmental targets.
The vast majority of Azazie’s catalog consists of synthetic fabrics like polyester, chiffon, tulle, and satin. These petrochemical-based materials are not biodegradable, shed plastic microfibers in wash cycles, and rely on the extractive fossil fuel industry (a highly environmentally polluting industry). While the brand claims to offer some options made from recycled polyester, this comprises less than 10% of its product range and lacks any certification like GRS (Global Recycling Standard).
Beyond its wasteful material choices, Azazie has not published any information about its factories’ water or chemical usage. The dyeing and finishing of textiles are additionally highly polluting processes, which, if not adequately controlled, can destroy local waterways. It is unclear whether Azazie’s suppliers implement environmental protection technologies to ensure a lower environmental footprint.
Although the business model prevents overproduction, Azazie has no programs to encourage circularity. The company does not offer repair services or a take-back program for recycling old dresses. Its products, designed for one-time events, have low circular qualities due to low-quality materials that often end up in landfills.
Azazie has not set any public, science-based targets for reducing its carbon footprint or environmental impact. The company has no published sustainability report, no target for carbon neutrality, and lacks eco-focused certifications like B Corporation, Climate Neutral, or Bluesign certified.
While hailed by some for its waste-reducing "custom order" business strategy, its lack of serious effort in other vital aspects of responsibility shows this marketing rhetoric fails to stand strong under closer examination. The model certainly gives it a much better footing for positive impact when compared against your average clothing label, however, that alone doesn't mean the dresses that ship out will carry along a better conscience than others.
Azazie receives a 'passing with condition' from my own grading system, as although the brand's message of making people welcome and celebrate their moments is great, without substantial effort or at least open transparency demonstrated by this clothing maker as far as social responsibility, we simply cannot say it's worth the celebration right here on paper.
Azazie’s single notable sustainable achievement - low overproduction - fails to counterbalance the devastating impact of using low-tier fossil-fuel sources prominently in its inventory. The utter absence of published emission data sustainability reports, plus no clear and tangible climate targets, places it near the lowest ranking area possible on my assessment score chart.
Looking for bridal or occasion wear without the ethical and environmental baggage? These brands offer elegant styles with a genuine commitment to people and the planet.
Offering stylish dresses perfect for weddings and events, Reformation is a B Corp that is a leader in sustainable fashion, utilizing environmentally friendly fabrics like TENCEL, recycled fabrics, and adhering to carbon-neutral standards. Its transparent production processes and B Corporation status guarantee fair relationships and good protection for workers.
Shop now at reformation.com
Known for their romantic "vintage-inspired" dresses made from organic and deadstock fabrics, Christy Dawn exemplifies responsible fashion in the modern market. The company works directly with farmers and weavers to ensure high standards of labor rights throughout their supply chain, ensuring all parties receive fair treatment.
Shop now at christydawn.com
Creating versatile five-piece capsule collections that make over 30 outfits, Vetta champions slow and conscious consumerism. Most of their clothing is made in the USA with eco-friendly fibers like Tencel and organic linen, and is known for transparent production and a low ecological footprint per piece. The modular design makes the brand an ideal choice for weddings where the dress should be worn more than once.
Shop now on vettacapsule.com.
Amour Vert's clothes are made in limited runs to avoid overproduction in California, where labor standards are usually higher. The brand plants a tree for every order purchased, making it a chance for your wardrobe and our earth to become greener together.
Get our products under our official store at wearamourvert.com.
Yes, Azazie is moderately better than Shein solely because its made-to-order models curb the systemic waste issues found in Shein's model of mass overproduction. However, both brands fail significantly where ethical practices and sustainability are concerned.
Made-to-order means that each article has an owner before production starts, avoiding the waste of unsold inventory. While it helps reduce waste, the model itself will not address all the challenges of creating truly eco-friendly and fair fashion today.
These dresses are designed primarily for weddings, so they might not be ideal for everyday wear due to their construction mostly using petrochemical fabrics. If used as intended, they serve well, but don't expect them to hold up or serve other purposes long-term.
