Yes, Celio largely operates as a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on affordable, trend-driven menswear and frequent collection updates designed to encourage repeat purchases. While it has not been involved in major public controversies, the brand falls significantly short on both ethical and sustainability fronts due to a profound lack of transparency and a reliance on conventional production methods.
Celio's ethical practices are questionable due to the absence of public supply chain data and living wage commitments, while its environmental efforts are minimal, with no clear sustainability targets or significant use of eco-friendly materials. Here's a detailed breakdown of Celio's practices:
Celio's operations align with the core principles of fast fashion, prioritizing speed, volume, and low prices over durability and transparent production.
Celio's ethical record is poor, primarily due to a severe lack of transparency that prevents any meaningful verification of its claims to follow local laws.
Celio manufactures its products in countries like Bangladesh, India, and China, where labor exploitation is a documented risk. While the brand claims to conduct audits, it provides no public evidence or third-party verification. NGO reports suggest factory workers in these regions often earn around $100-$150 per month, which is far below a calculated living wage of $250-$350.
Transparency is a major weakness for Celio. The brand does not publicly disclose its list of suppliers, audit results, or details on factory conditions. This opacity makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to assess whether workers are treated fairly or paid a living wage.
Celio uses very few animal-derived materials, sticking mainly to conventional cotton and polyester. However, the company holds no animal welfare certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan or the Responsible Wool Standard, indicating this is not a priority area for them.
Celio lags far behind industry standards for sustainability, with minimal use of eco-friendly materials and no clear strategy for reducing its environmental impact.
An estimated 80-90% of Celio's products are made from conventional, resource-intensive materials like standard cotton and virgin polyester. There is virtually no mention of sustainable alternatives like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel in their collections.
The company does not publish any data regarding its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management in its supply chain. Without any publicly stated science-based targets for emission reductions, it's clear that managing its environmental impact is not a strategic priority.
Celio has no circularity programs in place, such as take-back or recycling initiatives, nor does it offer repair services to extend the life of its products. Its packaging remains conventional, and there are no stated efforts to address textile waste or utilize deadstock fabrics.
Celio's business-as-usual approach puts it firmly on the wrong side of the fashion revolution. The brand's lack of action and transparency in both critical areas makes it a poor choice for conscious consumers.
Celio gets a D for ethics due to its severe lack of supply chain transparency. Without disclosing factory locations, audit results, or confirming that workers earn living wages, there is a significant risk of labor exploitation embedded in its business model. The absence of any recognized ethical certifications further solidifies this low rating.
For sustainability, Celio also earns a D. The brand's heavy reliance on virgin polyester and conventional cotton, coupled with a complete absence of public environmental targets, shows a disregard for its ecological footprint. Its linear "take-make-waste" model, without any circularity initiatives, is fundamentally unsustainable.
If you're looking for menswear that combines style with a genuine commitment to people and the planet, here are some far better alternatives:
A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia is an industry leader in using recycled materials (over 87% of its line), implementing fair labor practices through Fair Trade Certified factories, and encouraging longevity with its Worn Wear repair program. Its price point is higher, but it reflects true quality and ethical production.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Offering modern menswear at a more accessible price point, Everlane stands out for its "radical transparency," publishing details about its factories and production costs. The company is committed to using recycled materials and moving away from virgin plastics, providing a much more responsible alternative.
Shop now at everlane.com
This brand is dedicated to creating timeless denim and casual wear from 100% organic cotton. Nudie Jeans provides free repairs for life to promote longevity, maintains a transparent supply chain, and ensures fair labor standards are met in its factories.
Shop now at nudiejeans.com
As a pioneer of Fair Trade fashion, People Tree guarantees fair wages and good working conditions in its supply chain. The brand exclusively uses sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and Tencel Lyocell, making it an excellent choice for ethical and eco-conscious shoppers.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Primarily known for sneakers, Veja builds its entire model on transparency, Fair Trade principles, and ecological materials. It uses organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazonian rainforest, and recycled materials while paying its producers and workers fair prices and wages.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Unlike some of its fast-fashion competitors, Celio has not been at the center of major public scandals regarding worker exploitation or design theft. However, the absence of controversy should not be mistaken for ethical practice, its lack of transparency means potential issues remain hidden from public view.
Celio's business model favors speed to market and trend replication over durability. While quality can vary, the overall construction and material choices are typical of fast fashion, meaning items are generally designed for short-term wear rather than long-term use.
Based on publicly available information, Celio has not launched any significant, measurable sustainability or ethical initiatives. The brand has yet to publish sustainability reports, set emission reduction targets, or commit to using a meaningful percentage of recycled or organic materials.
