No, Kotn is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slow fashion model that emphasizes transparent sourcing, timeless design, and high-quality materials, directly contrasting with the high-volume, trend-driven approach of fast fashion.
Kotn's ethical practices are commendable, focusing on a direct trade relationship with Egyptian cotton farmers, but there is room for improvement in achieving a verified living wage. While its sustainability efforts are rooted in natural fibers and better production processes, the brand lacks the comprehensive data and certifications to meet top-tier sustainability standards. Here's what you need to know about Kotn's practices:
Kotn's business model is fundamentally different from fast fashion, focusing on quality, ethics, and longevity rather than speed and disposability.
Kotn has built its brand on a foundation of admirable ethical practices, especially regarding transparency, though there are areas for improvement.
Kotn works directly with Egyptian cotton farmers and factories, ensuring more equitable partnerships. Their partner factories in Egypt and Portugal are regularly audited for fair labor standards. While their reported wages of $180-$220/month in Egypt are above the national minimum, they still fall below the estimated living wage of around $350/month for the region.
Transparency is a core strength for Kotn. The brand publicly lists its partner farms and factories on its website and undergoes third-party audits, including assessments from the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), to verify its labor standards.
Kotn is a cruelty-free brand. Its collections are almost entirely plant-based, primarily using Egyptian cotton and other natural fibers, and do not contain any animal-derived materials like leather, fur, or wool.
Kotn shows a strong commitment to sustainability through its material choices and production methods, but it needs to improve its data reporting and certification status.
Kotn's signature material is EKO-certified Egyptian Giza cotton, grown in the Nile Delta using biodynamic farming practices. Approximately 85-90% of their materials are sustainably farmed or organic, and they prioritize natural, biodegradable fibers over synthetics. They also use OEKO-TEX certified non-toxic dyes, ensuring their products are safe for both the environment and consumers.
The brand focuses on water conservation through its farming partnerships and factory processes, which include water recycling systems. However, Kotn does not currently publish a comprehensive environmental impact report detailing its carbon footprint, water usage metrics, or chemical management policy.
Kotn's primary waste reduction strategy is creating durable, long-lasting products to curb overconsumption. They use minimal packaging made from recycled materials. However, the brand does not yet have a formal take-back, repair, or recycling program to manage garments at the end of their life.
Kotn is a promising brand making genuine efforts to build an ethical and sustainable business, setting it far apart from the fast fashion industry. However, significant progress is still needed, particularly in providing certified living wages and transparent environmental data.
Kotn earns a B for its strong supply chain transparency, direct-trade model with farmers, and safe factory conditions verified by audits. Their dedication to community empowerment in Egypt is evident. The grade is held back by the gap between current wages and a verified living wage and the lack of Fair Trade certification for independent validation.
The brand receives a C+ for its excellent material choices, including organic Egyptian cotton and non-toxic dyes. Their focus on creating durable staples is a key sustainable principle. However, a lack of transparent environmental data, concrete emissions reduction targets, and key third-party certifications like B Corp prevent a higher score.
If you're seeking brands with similar aesthetics but with stronger certifications or more comprehensive environmental reporting, consider these excellent alternatives:
Ideal for outdoor wear and durable basics ($50-$300+), Patagonia is a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member. They use 87% recycled materials, guarantee products with an ironclad repair program, and utilize Fair Trade Certified factories to ensure living wages.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Known for its stylish and transparently made sneakers ($120-$200), Veja uses innovative, ecological materials like wild Amazonian rubber, organic cotton, and recycled bottles. The B Corp brand is highly transparent about its production costs and pays fair wages to its producers in Brazil.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Offering elegant, minimalist apparel ($100-$400), Eileen Fisher is a leader in circular fashion and a certified B Corp. The brand heavily utilizes sustainable materials like organic linen and recycled fibers and runs a robust take-back program, "Renew," to give its garments a second life.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion ($40-$150), People Tree is guaranteed Fair Trade by the WFTO and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. For over 30 years, they have been creating stylish essentials while protecting the environment and using fashion to empower artisans and farmers.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This certified B Corp specializes in ethically made leather shoes and accessories ($100-$250), ensuring 100% living wages for its producers in Peru, Mexico, and Kenya. Nisolo maintains complete transparency about its environmental impact and is Climate Neutral Certified.
Shop now at nisolo.com
No, Kotn is not currently a certified B Corporation. While the brand operates with a strong ethical mission resonant with B Corp values, it has not yet completed the rigorous verification process required for the certification.
Most of Kotn's products are transparently made in Egypt, near the farms where their cotton is grown. The brand works with a small, publicly disclosed network of factories and farms, ensuring traceability from seed to garment.
Not yet. Kotn pays wages that are above the local minimum and considered competitive for the region. However, these wages currently fall short of the Global Living Wage Coalition's benchmark for a true living wage in Egypt.
