No, Dolmi is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slower, more considered production model that prioritizes quality and timeless design over rapid trend turnover.
Dolmi demonstrates an above-average commitment to ethical practices through transparent supply chains and certified factories. While its sustainability efforts are significant, including a high percentage of eco-friendly materials, there is still room for improvement to be considered an industry leader. Here's a detailed look at Dolmi's brand practices:
Dolmi's business model deliberately avoids the high-volume, trend-driven characteristics of fast fashion. Several key factors distinguish it from brands like Zara or Shein.
Dolmi maintains commendable ethical standards, with a strong focus on transparency and worker welfare that sets it apart from many contemporary brands.
Dolmi produces its clothing in Turkey and Portugal, countries with robust labor laws. Their suppliers are certified under standards like BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) and SA8000, ensuring fair working conditions and safety protocols. Factory workers reportedly earn around €600–€800 per month, which exceeds the national minimum wages in those regions.
The brand is highly transparent about its manufacturing process. It publishes its supplier list and makes results from third-party audits, conducted annually by organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation, accessible on its website. This level of disclosure is rare in the fashion industry and shows a strong commitment to accountability.
Dolmi is largely a cruelty-free brand, prioritizing plant-based and recycled materials like organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. They have a clear policy against using fur, exotic skins, or materials that involve animal testing.
Dolmi has a solid sustainability framework focused on materials and waste reduction, though its overall environmental impact is still moderate.
Dolmi emphasizes eco-friendly textiles in its collections. Approximately 65% of its products are made from sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. The brand sources these materials from suppliers with environmental certifications like OEKO-TEX and the Responsible Wool Standard.
The brand's production facilities in Turkey and Portugal use water-efficient processes and low-impact dyes certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Additionally, its Portuguese facilities are powered by 40% renewable energy. Dolmi has also set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in the next five years.
Dolmi encourages a circular model with a garment take-back program for recycling and upcycling, alongside repair services to extend product life. Their packaging is made from recycled paper and biodegradable materials, with a goal to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2025.
Dolmi has set clear, ambitious goals, including achieving B Corp certification within two years and sourcing 100% of its materials from verified sustainable sources by 2025. It also aims to be fully carbon-neutral by 2030, signaling a long-term commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
Dolmi is a responsible choice for consumers moving away from fast fashion. Its commitment to transparency and quality places it well above the industry average, though it has not yet reached the pinnacle of ethical and sustainable practices.
Dolmi earns a B+ for its excellent supply chain transparency, certified factories ensuring safe conditions, and above-minimum-wage pay. The grade is held back from an A by the lack of an official Fair Trade certification and comprehensive, third-party verification of living wages across its entire supply chain.
Dolmi receives a B for sustainability due to its strong commitment to using sustainable materials (65% of its collection) and its clear, ambitious goals for waste reduction and carbon neutrality. However, its ongoing use of some conventional fabrics and a yet-to-be-fully-realized transition to renewable energy keep it from a higher grade.
If you appreciate Dolmi's focus on timeless style and responsible production, here are some other ethical and sustainable brands with similar values worth exploring:
Amour Vert creates classic, feminine pieces in San Francisco using sustainable materials like Tencel Modal and organic cotton. For every t-shirt purchased, they plant a tree (over 300,000 to date) and focus on a transparent, local supply chain with non-toxic dyes.
Shop now at amourvert.com
ABLE is a B Corp that offers leather goods, apparel, and jewelry while empowering women through fair employment. The brand is radically transparent, publishing its lowest wages to hold itself accountable to providing living wages for its workers.
Shop now at wearwell.com
Specializing in high-quality basics made from authentic Egyptian cotton with a direct-trade model, Kotn is a B Corp that ensures fair prices for farmers and safe conditions for workers. They have built and now support over 15 schools in the communities where they operate.
Shop now at kotn.com
Cuyana operates on the philosophy of "fewer, better things," creating timeless essentials from high-quality materials like Italian leather and Peruvian pima cotton. The brand prioritizes responsible production by working with skilled artisans and is committed to circularity.
Shop now at cuyana.com
Known for its chic, feminine styles, Reformation is a Climate Neutral Certified brand that uses sustainable materials like Tencel, recycled fabrics, and deadstock. The brand is transparent about its factory partners and provides comprehensive sustainability reports on its progress yearly.
Shop now at reformation.com
Dolmi is considered a mid-range contemporary brand, not a luxury brand. Its pricing is higher than fast fashion, reflecting its use of higher-quality materials and commitment to ethical production, but it remains more accessible than high-end designer labels.
Dolmi's clothing is primarily manufactured in factories located in Turkey and Portugal. The brand is transparent about its partners and ensures they are certified by third parties like BSCI and the Fair Wear Foundation to uphold fair labor standards.
Dolmi operates on a fundamentally different model than Zara. It produces a few collections per year with a focus on quality and durability, while Zara produces thousands of new styles monthly with a focus on speed and replicating trends. Dolmi is also far more transparent about its supply chain and labor practices than Zara.
