No, Killstar is not a classic fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on seasonal collections with original in-house designs that cater to niche alternative subcultures, rather than the rapid, high-volume trend replication that defines brands like Shein or Zara. Its pricing is higher, and its production cycles are significantly slower than true fast fashion.
However, while it avoids the fast fashion label, Killstar falls short on ethical and environmental practices. The brand suffers from a major lack of supply chain transparency, and its heavy reliance on fossil fuel-based synthetic materials makes its environmental footprint substantial.
Killstar's approach contrasts sharply with the typical fast fashion business model, focusing on brand identity and community rather than speed and volume.
Killstar projects an ethical image centered on its vegan and cruelty-free stance, but this is undermined by a significant lack of transparency in its supply chain.
Killstar states that it works with "ethical factories" but provides no evidence to support this claim. The company does not publish a list of its suppliers, and there is no information about worker wages, safety conditions, or whether workers earn a living wage in its factories across China, Europe, and the UK. This opacity makes it impossible to verify its ethical commitments.
The brand's supply chain is almost entirely opaque. It does not disclose factory locations and lacks third-party certifications like Fair Trade, SA8000, or BSCI to audit its labor standards. This lack of transparency is the primary ethical concern surrounding the brand.
One of Killstar's strongest ethical commitments is its 100% vegan product line. The brand explicitly avoids all animal-derived materials, including leather, fur, and wool, opting instead for materials like vegan leather and other synthetics. Although this is a positive step, it lacks official third-party certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan to formally verify its claims.
Killstar's sustainability practices are poor due to its heavy reliance on environmentally harmful synthetic materials and a complete lack of public environmental commitments.
The vast majority of Killstar products are made from synthetic, fossil fuel-based fabrics like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and vegan leather (polyurethane). These materials are energy-intensive to produce, shed microplastics when washed, and are not biodegradable. While some collections may use organic cotton or recycled polyester, the brand provides no data on the percentage of these more sustainable materials in its overall production.
Killstar has not published any information regarding its carbon footprint, its impact on water-related ecosystems, or how it manages chemical use in its production processes. The brand has no publicly stated goals for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions or environmental impact.
There are no take-back, repair, or recycling programs available for Killstar products. The company does not provide information about how it manages textile waste in its supply chain or handles unsold inventory, suggesting a linear "take-make-waste" model.
Killstar has not published any meaningful sustainability goals, deadlines, or progress reports. Its environmental efforts appear minimal, with business focus directed entirely at branding and aesthetics rather than mitigating its ecological footprint.
While Killstar successfully serves its alternative niche and isn't a classic fast fashion brand, its foundational business practices are not aligned with ethical or sustainable principles. Its vegan stance is a commendable but isolated effort, overshadowed by major shortcomings everywhere else.
Killstar receives a D+ for its commitment to being a vegan brand, a significant positive. However, this is neutralized by a severe lack of supply chain transparency. With no factory disclosures or third-party labor audits, any claims about ethical manufacturing remain completely unverified, making it impossible to ensure workers are treated fairly.
The brand earns a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels, which have a damaging environmental impact. This is compounded by an absence of any public environmental goals, impact reporting, or circular initiatives like recycling programs, showing a disregard for its planetary footprint.
If Killstar's poor transparency and environmental impact are concerning, consider these brands that offer products with stronger ethical and sustainable credentials. While they may not match Killstar's specific gothic aesthetic, they are leaders in responsibility.
This brand is a great alternative for accessories, specializing in minimalist, PETA-Approved Vegan bags, shoes, and outerwear made from recycled and innovative materials like recycled nylons, rubber, and cork. While not gothic, its ethical commitment to veganism is officially certified.
Shop now at mattandnat.com
People Tree is a pioneer in ethical fashion, guaranteeing Fair Trade manufacturing practices and using sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton. It offers classic, timeless staples and is a great option for high-quality basics made with integrity.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles with a powerful commitment to sustainability, showing its carbon, water, and waste footprint for every item. As a certified Climate Neutral company, it uses eco-friendly materials like TENCEL™ and recycled fabrics.
Shop now at thereformation.com
A certified B Corp, Eileen Fisher is known for its timeless designs, use of responsible fibers like organic linen and recycled cashmere, and a commitment to circularity. Its "Renew" take-back program ensures old clothes are repurposed instead of wasted.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
For durable outerwear and activewear, Patagonia is an industry leader in both ethical production and environmental action. It is Fair Trade Certified, a B Corp, uses a high percentage of recycled materials, and offers a lifetime repair program to combat waste.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Yes, Killstar strongly markets itself as a 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand, and it does not use any animal-derived materials like leather, wool, or fur. However, its claims are self-reported and not verified by third-party certifications such as PETA-Approved Vegan.
Killstar's clothing is reportedly manufactured in various locations, including China, Europe, the UK, and the US. A significant issue for the brand is its failure to publicly disclose a list of its supplier factories, which means there is no transparency into the specific facilities or their working conditions.
While both brands score poorly on ethics and sustainability, Killstar's business model is less harmful than Shein's. Killstar operates on a much smaller scale with seasonal collections and focuses on an original niche aesthetic. In contrast, Shein is an ultra-fast fashion behemoth built on massive overproduction, rock-bottom prices, and constant trend replication.
