No, Cherry Kitten is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is based on smaller, curated collections released on a quarterly or biannual schedule, which contrasts sharply with the high-volume, weekly drops of fast fashion giants.
The brand occupies a middle ground, demonstrating some positive ethical and sustainable intentions but falling short on transparency and verified commitments. While it avoids the worst excesses of fast fashion, it has significant room for improvement, particularly regarding its labor practices and environmental certifications. Here’s what you need to know about Cherry Kitten's practices:
Cherry Kitten's operational model deviates from classic fast fashion through its slower production pace, limited volume, and mid-range pricing strategy.
Cherry Kitten shows moderate ethical commitment but is held back by significant gaps in transparency and a lack of third-party verification for its claims.
Production is outsourced to third-party factories in Vietnam and Turkey, regions with mixed records on labor rights. Reports indicate that worker wages in some Vietnamese factories are between $180-$220 per month, which is below the estimated living wage of $350 for the region. The brand claims to work with ethical factories but does not provide third-party audits or certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 to verify these claims.
Transparency is a major weak point for Cherry Kitten. The brand does not publicly disclose a detailed list of its suppliers or publish the results of factory audits. This lack of traceability makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify its claims about fair working conditions.
Cherry Kitten uses animal-derived materials, including leather, wool, and silk, in its products. However, it does not provide any information on its sourcing practices or hold certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), raising concerns about the welfare standards in its animal supply chain.
The brand's sustainability efforts are emerging but currently lack the depth, verification, and scale to be considered truly impactful.
Cherry Kitten’s material use is mixed. Approximately 40% of its collection is made from more sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. However, the majority (60%) still consists of conventional materials, including standard polyester and non-organic cotton. It does not consistently feature certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX on its products.
The brand does not publish data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. While it claims to use eco-friendly dyes for some products and has set a goal to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% over five years, this progress is self-reported and not verified by an external body.
Cherry Kitten has limited circularity initiatives. It does not offer any take-back programs, repair services, or recycling options for its garments. While unsold inventory is reportedly discounted or donated to charity, the brand lacks a comprehensive strategy for managing post-consumer waste. Packaging is mostly recyclable cardboard but still includes plastic elements.
Cherry Kitten has set modest goals, such as increasing its use of sustainable materials to 60% within three years and a 25% emissions reduction in five years. While these goals are a good start, they lack the ambition and external verification seen from industry leaders in sustainability.
Cherry Kitten operates in a gray area - it is not fast fashion, but it hasn't yet earned the label of a truly ethical or sustainable brand. Its efforts are a step in the right direction, but they are undermined by a lack of transparency and third-party validation.
Cherry Kitten earns a C+ for its ethical practices. The brand gets points for its diverse representation in marketing, but it is heavily penalized for its lack of supply chain transparency, reports of below-living-wage pay in its supply chain, and absence of an animal welfare policy or fair labor certifications. There is considerable room for improvement in ensuring and proving that its workers are treated fairly.
The brand receives a C for sustainability. While its commitment to incorporating around 40% sustainable materials is commendable for its size, this is offset by its reliance on conventional fabrics and the absence of any circularity programs. The lack of verified environmental data and third-party certifications like B Corp means its claims are not fully substantiated, keeping its grade average at best.
If Cherry Kitten’s ethical and environmental gaps concern you, these brands offer similar contemporary styles with far stronger commitments to people and the planet.
Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles similar to Cherry Kitten but is Climate Neutral Certified and uses sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics in about 85% of its products. It provides detailed "RefScale" impact reports for each item, tracking carbon, water, and waste savings.
Shop now at thereformation.com
A pioneer in Fair Trade fashion, People Tree guarantees fair wages and ethical treatment of its workers, with products almost exclusively made from materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton. Its classic styles and transparent artisan partnerships make it a highly ethical choice.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia is an industry leader in both ethics and sustainability, using 87% recycled materials and ensuring Fair Trade Certified production. Their Worn Wear program promotes repair and reuse, directly tackling fashion waste.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Certified B Corp Eileen Fisher designs timeless, minimalist pieces using a high percentage of organic and recycled fibers. The brand is renowned for its transparency and circularity programs like Renew, which takes back and resells its own used garments.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
While known for footwear, Veja's transparent and ethical model is a benchmark for the industry. The brand uses innovative, sustainable materials like organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber, and recycled plastic bottles, all while paying farmers and producers fair wages.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Cherry Kitten's supply chain transparency is limited. The company does not publish a full list of its factories or provide third-party audit results, making it difficult to verify its ethical claims independently.
Yes, but to a limited extent. About 40% of its collection incorporates more sustainable materials like organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. However, the majority of its products still rely on conventional, less eco-friendly fabrics.
Available information suggests they are not. Reports from factories in Vietnam, a key production region for the brand, indicate worker pay is approximately $180-$220 per month, falling well below the estimated living wage of $350.
