Yes, Giordano is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on affordably priced, trend-responsive apparel released in seasonal collections multiple times per year, which aligns it more with fast fashion than with slower, traditional retail cycles.
While not an "ultra-fast" brand like SHEIN, Giordano's ethical and sustainability practices are weak, marked by a significant lack of transparency and minimal commitment to environmental progress. Here's a detailed look at where the brand stands.
Giordano's operations fit the fast fashion mold through its focus on volume, speed, and affordability, even if its collection drops are less frequent than some of its competitors.
Giordano’s ethical performance is average at best, meeting minimum legal requirements but failing to provide the transparency or commitments needed to be considered an ethical brand.
Giordano primarily manufactures in Asian countries like China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, where garment factory workers often face poor conditions. For example, wages in many Bangladeshi factories hover around $100–$150 per month, which is well below the estimated living wage of $200–$250. There is no public evidence that Giordano ensures its workers are paid a living wage.
Transparency is a major weakness for Giordano. The brand does not publish a supplier list, which makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to verify working conditions in its factories. It also lacks credible third-party certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that would validate its ethical claims.
Giordano mainly uses conventional fabrics like cotton and polyester, and there is no indication that it uses fur, exotic animal skin, or angora. However, the brand has no formal animal welfare policy and holds no certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan.
Giordano’s environmental practices lag far behind industry standards, with minimal effort made to reduce its significant environmental impact.
An estimated 85-90% of Giordano's products are made from conventional, resource-intensive materials like standard cotton and virgin polyester. The brand shows no significant use of sustainable alternatives like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel, nor does it hold certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or BCI (Better Cotton Initiative).
The brand has not published any emissions data or set science-based targets to reduce its carbon footprint. The production of its primary materials - conventional cotton and polyester - involves heavy water consumption, pesticide use, and fossil fuels, contributing to water pollution and climate change. Giordano has made no public commitments to mitigate these impacts.
Giordano does not have any take-back, repair, or recycling programs in place to manage its products at the end of their life. This follows a linear "take-make-waste" model where unsold inventory is likely liquidated or discarded, and customers are given no sustainable options to dispose of old clothing.
Giordano has not set any clear or meaningful sustainability goals. There are no published targets for reducing carbon emissions, increasing the use of sustainable materials, or conserving water. This lack of ambition and accountability showcases a passive approach to environmental responsibility.
Giordano is a conventional fast fashion brand that prioritizes low prices and rapid turnover above all else. Its efforts in both ethics and sustainability are minimal, lacking the transparency, action, and accountability expected of a modern apparel company.
Giordano earns a C for ethics. The brand appears to comply with minimum local labor laws but offers no transparency into its supply chain and has made no credible commitments to ensure fair working conditions or living wages. The absence of any third-party ethical certifications means consumers have no reason to trust that its products are made ethically.
Giordano's sustainability performance receives a D. The company relies almost entirely on environmentally damaging materials, has published no climate targets, and demonstrates a complete lack of initiative toward circularity or waste reduction. Its vague approach and lack of concrete action represent a significant failure to address its environmental responsibilities.
If you're looking for affordable basics and casualwear from brands with stronger commitments to people and the planet, consider these alternatives:
A certified B Corp, Tentree offers comfortable, Earth-first apparel and plants 10 trees for every item purchased. It uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL™ Lyocell, while ensuring ethical manufacturing in its transparent supply chain.
Shop now at tentree.com
Known for its radical transparency, Everlane provides detailed information on its factories and material sourcing. The brand focuses on timeless staples made from higher-quality, more sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and is working toward clear climate goals.
Shop now at everlane.com
As a pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree has been creating clothing with Fair Trade principles for decades. This certified B Corp uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and traditional artisanal skills, ensuring workers are paid fairly and empowered.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
A leader in both environmental and ethical performance, Patagonia manufactures durable outdoor wear and everyday basics using a high percentage of recycled materials. The B Corp is Fair Trade certified and offers a lifetime repair program to combat waste.
Shop now at patagonia.com
While known for its sneakers, Veja's principles of transparency and sustainability are a model for the industry. The brand uses innovative, ecological materials like organic cotton and wild rubber sourced directly from communities in Brazil, paying fair prices to producers.
Shop now at veja-store.com
No, Giordano does not publish a list of its factories or suppliers. This lack of transparency makes it impossible to independently verify its claims about worker conditions or environmental management in its supply chain.
Giordano operates at a slower pace than ultra-fast fashion giants like SHEIN and Zara, releasing new collections seasonally rather than weekly. However, its ethical and environmental practices - particularly its lack of transparency and reliance on unsustainable materials - are comparable to other low-scoring fast fashion brands.
The vast majority (estimated 85-90%) of Giordano's collection is made from conventional materials like standard cotton and polyester. The company has shown no significant initiative to incorporate sustainable or recycled materials into its products at scale.
There is currently no public evidence that Giordano has set meaningful goals or is taking significant action to improve its ethical standards or reduce its environmental footprint. The brand's lack of reporting and vague commitments suggest sustainability is not a core priority.
