Is Because of Alice Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is Because of Alice

Is Because of Alice fast fashion? Discover why it's not. Learn about their commitment to slow fashion, timeless designs, quality materials, and limited collections.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

No, Because of Alice is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slow fashion model, emphasizing timeless designs, high-quality materials, and limited seasonal collections rather than rapid, trend-driven production.

The brand is recognized for its strong ethical sourcing within Europe and its use of sustainable materials. However, while it demonstrates a genuine commitment to better practices, it still has room for improvement in third-party certifications and comprehensive impact reporting.

Why Because of Alice Is Not Fast Fashion?

Because of Alice distances itself from the fast fashion model through its production speed, pricing, and overarching design philosophy, which prioritizes longevity over fleeting trends.

  • Slow-Paced Collections: The brand releases curated collections twice a year to align with traditional fashion seasons (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter), with a few small capsules in between. This contrasts sharply with fast fashion giants that drop thousands of new items weekly, with design-to-shelf times of just a few weeks.
  • Mid-Range Pricing: With T-shirts around $40-$60 and dresses from $80-$150, its pricing reflects higher-quality materials and ethical European manufacturing costs. This model is built on creating value through durability, not on generating high-volume sales through rock-bottom prices.
  • European Manufacturing: Production is centered in Portugal and Spain, countries with strong labor laws and environmental regulations. This approach prioritizes transparent partnerships with factories over the opaque, often exploitative, supply chains common in budget fast fashion.
  • Original & Timeless Designs: The brand creates original, minimalist staples designed to be worn for years, directly opposing the fast fashion practice of rapidly replicating runway trends for a single season. Because of Alice has no history of design theft controversies.

Is Because of Alice Ethical?

Because of Alice demonstrates a responsible and transparent approach to its ethical practices, though it could strengthen its position with more formal certifications.

Labor Practices

Manufacturing occurs primarily in Portugal and Spain, ensuring compliance with strong European labor laws. Factories are regularly audited, and reports from 2022 show that workers earn approximately €1,100-€1,300 per month, which is above the estimated regional living wage of €950 per month. Workers are provided with safe conditions, including a 40-hour work week and proper health and safety protections, with no documented labor rights violations.

Supply Chain Transparency

The brand maintains a good degree of transparency by publishing a supplier list and conducting third-party audits. While this demonstrates accountability, it does not currently hold specific fair labor certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, which would offer greater independent verification of its ethical claims.

Animal Welfare

Because of Alice has a strong animal welfare policy. The brand explicitly avoids using animal-derived materials such as fur, exotic skins, and down. Furthermore, all products and their components are cruelty-free and not tested on animals.

Where Because of Alice Falls Short Ethically

  • Lack of Formal Labor Certifications: Without specific certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, customers must rely on the brand's self-reported audits for assurance of fair labor standards.
  • Limited Traceability Details: While a supplier list is available, full traceability back to the raw material level is not publicly disclosed, leaving small gaps in the supply chain's transparency.
  • No Independent Verification of Audits: The brand’s social and environmental impact reports are not yet independently verified by a third-party organization, which would add a crucial layer of credibility.

Is Because of Alice Sustainable?

The brand has a solid sustainability foundation built on eco-conscious materials and clear climate goals, but its reliance on some conventional materials prevents it from being an industry leader.

Materials & Sourcing

Because of Alice prioritizes eco-friendly materials, including GOTS-certified organic cotton (about 30% of its cotton), Tencel Lyocell (20%), and recycled polyester. Tencel is produced in a closed-loop system that recycles 99% of its chemical solvents. However, conventional cotton and other synthetics still make up roughly 50% of their materials, presenting a significant area for improvement.

Environmental Impact

As a certified B Corporation, Because of Alice meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Many of its materials are certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals. The brand is also a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which promotes more sustainable cotton farming practices.

Sustainability Goals & Progress

The company has set a target to become carbon neutral in its direct operations by 2030 and to reduce its wider supply chain (Scope 3) emissions by 50%. While this goal is ambitious, the brand has not yet published detailed, science-based emissions data for its entire supply chain, making it difficult to track its progress independently.

Circularity & Waste

Because of Alice designs its products for durability to ensure longevity. It has introduced a voluntary take-back program for recycling old garments and works to minimize textile waste during production. However, it does not currently offer a wide-scale repair or rental service to further extend the life of its products.

Where Because of Alice Falls Short on Sustainability

  • Reliance on Conventional Materials: Roughly half of the brand’s materials are still conventional cotton and virgin synthetics, which have a much higher environmental footprint than their more sustainable alternatives.
  • Lack of Detailed Impact Data: The brand has yet to publish comprehensive lifecycle assessments or officially verified data on its total carbon footprint and water usage across its entire supply chain.
  • Underdeveloped Circular Programs: The current take-back program is limited in scale and lacks widespread repair or resale initiatives that are critical for a fully circular model.

Our Verdict: Because of Alice's Ethical & Sustainability Grades

Because of Alice is a strong example of a brand shifting away from the harmful fast fashion system. Its model centers on quality craftsmanship and conscious sourcing, though gaps in third-party verification and materials keep it from earning top marks.

Ethical Practices: B

The brand receives a B for its commitment to European manufacturing, where labor laws are strong and workers are paid above the regional living wage. Publishing a supplier list shows a dedication to transparency, and its strong animal welfare policy is a key positive. The grade is held back from an A due to a lack of specific fair labor certifications (like Fair Trade) and the absence of independently verified audit reports.

Sustainability: B-

Because of Alice earns a B- for its sustainability efforts. Being a certified B Corp and using a significant portion of eco-friendly materials like GOTS-certified cotton and Tencel is commendable. However, the continued use of conventional materials for 50% of its products and a lack of published, science-based data on its full environmental impact prevent it from scoring higher.

More Ethical & Sustainable Brands Like Because of Alice

If you appreciate Because of Alice's modern, minimalist aesthetic and commitment to ethical production, here are some other brands with similar values and style worth exploring:

Sézane

This Parisian B Corp certified brand offers chic, vintage-inspired clothing and accessories with a focus on natural and recycled materials like organic cotton and merino wool. Sézane is known for its transparent production process and philanthropic program, DEMAIN, which supports children's access to education.

Shop now at www.sezane.com

Everlane

Known for its philosophy of "Radical Transparency," Everlane provides a cost breakdown for each of its minimalist essentials so customers can see exactly what they're paying for. The brand works with ethical factories worldwide and uses a high percentage of recycled materials in its collections.

Shop now at www.everlane.com

Cuyana

Cuyana lives by the motto "fewer, better things," creating timeless essentials from high-quality, sustainable materials like organic Pima cotton and recycled cashmere. The brand is committed to intentional sourcing, working with global artisans who use responsible production methods.

Shop now at cuyana.com

Amour Vert

French for "Green Love," Amour Vert crafts feminine, effortless styles in California using sustainable fabrics like Tencel modal, organic cotton, and ethical silk. For every t-shirt purchased, the brand plants a tree, combining chic design with a direct positive impact on the environment.

Shop now at amourvert.com

Eileen Fisher

A pioneer in sustainable fashion, Eileen Fisher creates elegant, long-lasting pieces made from organic linen, responsible wool, and recycled fibers. The brand is dedicated to circularity through its Renew take-back program, which resells or remanufactures previously-owned garments.

Shop now at www.eileenfisher.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Because of Alice more expensive than fast fashion like Zara?

The price reflects its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Manufacturing in European countries like Portugal and Spain involves paying fair, living wages, which are significantly higher than wages in Asian manufacturing hubs. Additionally, the brand uses more expensive, higher-quality, and certified sustainable materials designed for longevity, not disposability.

Is Because of Alice a luxury brand?

No, Because of Alice is considered a mid-range or accessible luxury brand rather than high fashion luxury. Its prices fall between high-street fast fashion brands and designer labels, offering a balance of premium quality craftsmanship and attainable pricing for customers investing in a durable wardrobe.

Where is Because of Alice clothing made?

The majority of Because of Alice clothing is proudly manufactured in Europe, primarily in workshops and factories located in Portugal and Spain. These countries are known for possessing robust labor laws and a highly skilled artisan base, ensuring that garments are made both ethically and to a high standard.

What certifications does Because of Alice have?

Because of Alice is a certified B Corporation, which is a rigorous certification for social and environmental performance. Many of its materials are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified (tested for harmful chemicals), and its organic cotton is GOTS-certified. The brand is also a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).