No, Kith is not considered a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on limited-edition seasonal drops and premium collaborations rather than the high-volume, rapid-turnover model of brands like Zara or SHEIN.
However, Kith's ethical and sustainability practices lack transparency, with minimal public disclosure on its supply chain or environmental goals. While not actively engaged in the worst fast fashion practices, it falls short of being a truly conscious brand. Here's what you need to know about Kith's practices:
Kith operates on a premium streetwear model that prioritizes exclusivity and hype over mass production. Several key characteristics distinguish it from typical fast fashion labels.
Kith's ethical performance is difficult to assess due to a significant lack of transparency. While there are no major public controversies, the absence of information is a key weakness.
Kith manufactures products in countries like China, Vietnam, and Italy, regions with vastly different labor standards. The brand does not publish a supplier list or the results of third-party factory audits, making it impossible to independently verify worker conditions or wages. Without this transparency, there is no guarantee that workers in its supply chain are paid a living wage or operate in safe conditions.
Transparency is Kith's greatest ethical shortcoming. The brand provides virtually no public information about its factories, production processes, or supplier policies. This lack of disclosure prevents consumers and watchdog groups from evaluating its claims and holding it accountable for its manufacturing practices.
Kith uses animal-derived materials like leather and wool in its footwear and apparel. However, it does not have a public animal welfare policy or any certifications (like the Responsible Wool Standard) to ensure these materials are sourced humanely. It is unclear what standards are followed for the treatment of animals in its supply chain.
Kith’s efforts in sustainability are minimal and appear to be more of an afterthought than an integrated strategy. The brand lags far behind industry leaders in environmental responsibility.
Kith uses a mix of conventional materials and some sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or recycled polyester in select collections. However, the exact percentage of sustainable materials used is not disclosed, and an overwhelming majority of their products still rely on standard textiles with a higher environmental impact. No major certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX are present.
The brand does not publish any data on its environmental impact. There is no information available regarding its carbon footprint, water usage, chemical management practices, or waste reduction targets. This complete lack of reporting makes it clear that environmental management is not a priority.
Kith has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to extend the life of its products. Its business model, while not fast fashion, still encourages consumption of new items through hyped drops, with no clear strategy for handling post-consumer waste or unsold inventory (deadstock).
Kith has not announced any public-facing sustainability goals, carbon reduction targets, or a timeline for improving its environmental performance. Without any stated commitments, there is no way to measure its progress or hold the company accountable.
Kith's model avoids the destructive speed of fast fashion, but its lack of commitment to transparency and environmental action places it well behind modern standards for responsible brands.
Kith earns a C because while it has not been implicated in major labor scandals, its severe lack of supply chain transparency is a major red flag. Without any public factory lists, audit results, or a commitment to living wages, consumers are purchasing on blind faith. This opacity prevents any real accountability and keeps the brand in the average-to-below-average territory.
The D+ grade reflects a near-total absence of a sustainability strategy. Beyond occasional use of recycled materials in one-off collections, Kith has no public goals, no data transparency, no certifications, and no circularity programs. Its environmental impact is unmeasured and unmanaged, showing a clear lack of priority and action on this critical issue.
If Kith's lack of transparency and environmental commitment is a dealbreaker, here are some better alternatives that offer forward-thinking streetwear and basics with strong ethical and sustainable credentials.
Patagonia is a leader in activism and sustainability, offering high-quality outdoor and lifestyle apparel. A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, the brand uses over 87% recycled materials, guarantees Fair Trade Certified production, and offers a lifetime repair program to fight overconsumption.
Shop now at patagonia.com
For sneakers with a similar minimalist-cool aesthetic, Veja is a much better choice. The brand uses Fair Trade organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and innovative recycled materials, all while maintaining full transparency about its production partners and paying fair wages.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Offering comfortable, casual apparel, B Corp certified Tentree is built on a regenerative model. The brand plants ten trees for every item sold and uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel, with deep transparency into its ethical supply chain.
Shop now at tentree.com
While often known for womenswear, Reformation offers stylish essentials made from low-impact materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. As a certified Climate Neutral company and B Corp, they provide detailed sustainability reports that transparently track their environmental footprint.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Everlane focuses on modern basics with a philosophy of "Radical Transparency," sharing detailed information about its factories and production costs. The brand is increasingly using recycled materials and partners with ethical factories that are subject to third-party audits.
Shop now at everlane.com
Known for its commitment to circularity and timeless design, Eileen Fisher is a B Corp that leads the industry with its take-back program, "Renew." The brand uses a high percentage of sustainable materials like organic linen and wool and is deeply invested in fair labor and supply chain visibility.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
Kith does not publish a full factory list, but its products are known to be manufactured in various countries including China, Vietnam, and Italy. Due to its lack of transparency, a comprehensive list of its manufacturing partners and their locations is not publicly available.
Kith's popularity is driven by founder Ronnie Fieg's vision, exclusive product drops, high-profile collaborations, and strong brand culture. The streetwear market has historically prioritized brand hype and "cool factor" over corporate responsibility, though consumer expectations are beginning to shift.
There is currently no public evidence to suggest that Kith is actively working to improve its practices. The brand has not released any sustainability reports, announced new ethical commitments, or joined industry-wide initiatives aimed at increasing transparency or reducing environmental impact.
