Is Decjuba Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is Decjuba

Is Decjuba fast fashion? Discover how its rapid production cycles, trend-driven collections, and pricing impact ethics and sustainability. Learn more now.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

Yes, Decjuba is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, frequent new collections that replicate current trends, and accessible pricing that encourages high-volume sales.

The brand's ethical practices are concerning due to a significant lack of transparency in its supply chain and no evidence of paying living wages. From a sustainability perspective, Decjuba lags far behind, relying heavily on fossil fuel-based synthetic materials with no meaningful public commitments to reduce its environmental impact.

What Makes Decjuba Fast Fashion?

Decjuba’s operations align perfectly with the fast fashion model, prioritizing speed, volume, and low costs over durability and originality.

  • Frequent Collection Drops: Decjuba reportedly releases 8-12 new collections a year, with new items hitting stores weekly or biweekly. This rapid turnover is designed to keep consumers constantly engaged with new trends, mimicking the release schedules of global fast fashion giants.
  • Speed-to-Market: The brand operates on a short design-to-shelf timeline of approximately 4-8 weeks. This allows it to quickly replicate runway looks and viral social media styles, a core characteristic of fast fashion.
  • Volume-Based Pricing: Decjuba's prices are set to encourage frequent purchases. With dresses around AUD $50-80 and t-shirts between AUD $20-40, the pricing reflects a business model focused on high sales volume rather than lasting quality.
  • Trend Replication: Instead of focusing on original design, Decjuba is known for producing affordable versions of trending styles seen on celebrities and high-end runways. This reliance on fast-moving trends contributes to a culture of disposability.

Is Decjuba Ethical?

Decjuba’s ethical performance is poor, primarily due to a severe lack of transparency and the absence of certifications that would verify its claims.

Labor Practices

Decjuba manufactures its products primarily in China and India, regions with known risks of poor labor conditions. While the company claims to audit its suppliers, it provides no public evidence, audit reports, or factory details. Investigations suggest factory workers in these regions often earn around AUD $200-300 per month, which is below the estimated living wage of AUD $350-400 required to cover basic needs.

Supply Chain Transparency

There is virtually no transparency in Decjuba's supply chain. The brand does not publish a list of its suppliers, making it impossible for third parties to verify working conditions, wages, or safety standards. It does not hold credible certifications like Fair Trade, SA8000, or WRAP, which would provide independent assurance of ethical labor practices.

Animal Welfare

Decjuba primarily uses synthetic materials like polyester and viscose. While this means its use of animal-derived materials is minimal, the brand has no formal animal welfare policy. It doesn't hold any certifications like PETA-approved Vegan or the Responsible Wool Standard for the few animal-derived products it may sell.

Where Decjuba Falls Short Ethically

  • Severe lack of transparency: The company does not disclose any information about its factories, making it impossible to assess the conditions for its garment workers.
  • No evidence of living wages: Decjuba provides no proof that workers in its supply chain are paid a wage that covers their basic needs and allows for a decent standard of living.
  • Absence of ethical certifications: Without third-party audits and certifications, its claims of ethical production are unsubstantiated.
  • Vague corporate responsibility: The company lacks detailed public information regarding its internal diversity policies or social justice initiatives beyond inclusive marketing campaigns.

Is Decjuba Sustainable?

Decjuba’s sustainability efforts are minimal and superficial. Its high-volume, trend-driven model is fundamentally unsustainable, and it has made no significant commitments to mitigate its environmental impact.

Materials & Sourcing

The vast majority of Decjuba's collections are made from conventional synthetic fabrics like polyester (derived from fossil fuels) and viscose. It is estimated that less than 10% of its products incorporate organic or recycled fibers. The brand lacks key material certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

Environmental Impact

Decjuba has not published any data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The production of its chosen synthetic materials is energy- and water-intensive and contributes to plastic microfiber pollution. The brand has no publicly stated carbon neutrality goals, net-zero targets, or strategies to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Circularity & Waste

Decjuba has no recycling programs, garment repair services, or take-back schemes to manage its products at the end of their life. Its fast fashion business model generates significant textile waste, and its packaging is largely plastic-based with no major push towards recycled or biodegradable alternatives.

Where Decjuba Falls Short on Sustainability

  • Over-reliance on virgin synthetics: A heavy dependence on cheap, fossil fuel-based materials like polyester with minimal use of sustainable alternatives.
  • No climate commitments: The brand has no clear, time-bound targets for reducing its carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical waste.
  • Total lack of circularity: No programs exist for recycling, repairing, or taking back old clothes, contributing directly to landfill waste.
  • Designed for disposability: Garments are low-quality and trend-focused, encouraging a throwaway culture rather than long-term use.

Our Verdict: Decjuba's Ethical & Sustainability Grades

Decjuba's focus on rapid growth and trendy, low-cost apparel comes at a significant social and environmental cost. Its complete lack of transparency makes it impossible to verify any ethical or sustainable claims, leaving consumers in the dark.

Ethical Practices: D+

Decjuba receives a D+ for its failure to provide any meaningful transparency into its supply chain. Without a public factory list, verified audits, or proof of living wages, there's no way to confirm that workers are treated fairly. While the brand avoids major scandals, its opacity is a major red flag and does not meet the minimum standards of ethical accountability in the modern fashion industry.

Sustainability: D

The brand earns a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetics, lack of any public environmental targets, and a business model that actively promotes overconsumption and waste. Its efforts in sustainability are virtually non-existent, making it a poor choice for environmentally-conscious consumers.

Ethical & Sustainable Alternatives to Decjuba

If Decjuba's poor ethical and environmental grades are a dealbreaker, consider these brands that offer stylish apparel with a genuine commitment to people and the planet.

Reformation

Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles similar to Decjuba but creates them with sustainable materials like Tencel, deadstock fabrics, and recycled materials. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified and publishes detailed sustainability reports, providing transparency on its factory conditions and environmental goals.

Shop now at thereformation.com

Everlane

Known for modern basics and transparent pricing, Everlane discloses information on the factories it partners with. The brand is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and primarily uses premium, more sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled synthetics designed for longevity.

Shop now at everlane.com

People Tree

A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and uses almost exclusively 100% organic cotton and other natural fibers. Each garment is made by artisans and farmers in the developing world who receive fair wages and work in safe conditions, representing a complete contrast to Decjuba's model.

Shop now at peopletree.co.uk

Patagonia

While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's everyday clothing, like fleeces and tees, showcases an unparalleled commitment to ethics and sustainability. As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, the brand is transparent about its supply chain, uses a high percentage of recycled materials, and offers lifetime repairs.

Shop now at patagonia.com

Outerknown

Outerknown crafts timeless, casual apparel with a serious commitment to sustainability. Founded by surfer Kelly Slater, the brand is Fair Labor Association accredited, guarantees fair wages for its workers, and uses innovative materials like recycled fishing nets and regenerative organic cotton.

Shop now at outerknown.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Decjuba so popular if it isn't ethical or sustainable?

Decjuba’s popularity stems from its ability to provide trendy, affordable clothing at a rapid pace. This affordability and constant newness appeal to consumers focused on current styles and accessible price points, often before they consider the ethical or environmental implications of their purchase.

Does Decjuba use any sustainable materials at all?

While minimal, Decjuba may feature some items made with more sustainable materials, but they account for a very small portion of its overall collection (estimated at less than 10%). These minor efforts are overshadowed by the brand's overwhelming reliance on conventional, non-sustainable synthetics.

Is Decjuba doing anything to improve?

Currently, there is no public information to suggest that Decjuba has made significant commitments or set measurable targets to improve its ethical or environmental performance. The brand's website and public communications lack any detailed sustainability roadmaps, reports, or goals for the future.