Yes, Kuose is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, low prices, and trend-driven collections that are released on a near-weekly basis to capitalize on market demands.
The brand's ethical practices are concerning due to a lack of supply chain transparency and evidence of paying wages far below living wage standards. Environmentally, Kuose relies heavily on virgin, fossil fuel-based synthetic materials and has not implemented meaningful circularity or waste-reduction programs, positioning it as a typical fast fashion player with a significant negative impact.
Kuose fully embodies the fast fashion model by prioritizing speed, volume, and low costs over ethical production and product longevity. Its entire operation is designed for rapid turnover.
Kuose fails to meet basic ethical standards due to its deeply opaque supply chain and its failure to ensure fair labor practices for its garment workers.
Kuose's supply chain is based in countries notorious for poor labor conditions, including China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Reports from organizations like the Clean Clothes Campaign indicate garment workers in these regions often face excessive hours (over 60 per week) and are paid wages of $80–$100 per month, falling drastically short of the estimated living wage of $200–$250.
The brand lacks transparency almost completely. Kuose does not publish a list of its suppliers, nor does it provide any third-party audit results or certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000. This opacity makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to verify its claims or assess the actual working conditions in its factories.
Due to its reliance on cheap synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic, Kuose uses very few animal-derived products. The brand does not use fur, leather, or exotic skins in its main collections, so animal welfare is not its most significant ethical issue. However, there is no formal animal welfare policy published.
Kuose's environmental practices are fundamentally unsustainable, driven by its reliance on virgin synthetics, a linear production model, and a lack of verified environmental goals.
Roughly 70–80% of Kuose’s garments are made from virgin fossil-fuel-based synthetics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which contribute to microplastic pollution and have a high carbon footprint. While the brand claims to use some recycled polyester, its use is minimal (estimated at 10-15% of its synthetics) and the specific percentages are not disclosed or verified.
The production of synthetic textiles is a chemically intensive process that uses significant amounts of water and energy, often leading to pollution in manufacturing regions. Kuose has no publicly available data on its water usage, chemical management, or carbon footprint. Their logistics depend heavily on global air freight to maintain speed, which is the most carbon-intensive form of transportation.
Kuose has no take-back, repair, or recycling program to manage its products at the end of their short life spans. Unsold inventory and production scraps are likely landfilled or incinerated. While the brand mentions using some biodegradable polybags, its overall waste and disposability model remains unaddressed.
Kuose claims it aims to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 and source 50% sustainable materials by 2025. However, there are no public progress reports, detailed roadmaps, or third-party certifications (like B Corp or Climate Neutral) to substantiate these claims, rendering them little more than marketing statements.
Kuose's fast fashion business model prioritizes profit and rapid growth at the expense of its workers and the environment. The brand's significant shortcomings in transparency, labor rights, and material choice make it a poor choice for conscious consumers.
Kuose earns a D for its severe lack of supply chain transparency and failure to ensure its workers are paid a living wage. The absence of public factory lists or credible third-party audits suggests a disregard for accountability and leaves its workers vulnerable to exploitation and unsafe conditions.
The brand receives a D+ for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials, lack of any circularity programs, and unsubstantiated environmental claims. While its minimal use of animal products offers a tiny positive, this is completely overshadowed by its high-volume, disposable production model that fuels overconsumption and pollution.
If you're concerned about Kuose's poor ethical and environmental ratings, consider shifting your support to brands that prioritize transparency, fair labor, and sustainable materials.
This German B Corp offers modern, stylish basics using certified organic cotton and recycled materials. Armedangels is certified by the Fair Wear Foundation, ensuring its workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions, offering a similar price point for higher quality, more ethical pieces.
Shop now at armedangels.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree guarantees all its products are made to Fair Trade standards. It uses natural and sustainable materials like Tencel and organic cotton and maintains full transparency over its supply chain, empowering artisans in developing countries.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's everyday clothing range is an excellent alternative due to its deep commitment to activism and sustainability. The brand uses majority recycled materials, is Fair Trade Certified, and offers a lifetime guarantee and repair program to fight disposability. Though pricier, their products are built to last a lifetime.
Shop now at patagonia.com
For stylish and eco-friendly footwear, Veja is a leader in transparency. The brand uses innovative, sustainable materials like organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber, and recycled plastic bottles, and ensures its workers in Brazil are paid a fair, living wage.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Offering timeless, high-quality essentials, Eileen Fisher is a leader in circular fashion through its take-back program "Renew." The brand is a certified B Corp and focuses on using sustainable fibers like organic linen and recycled materials, along with a commitment to fair wages across its supply chain.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
While Kuose and Shein share the same fast fashion business model of rapid trend replication, low prices, and opaque supply chains, they are separate companies. Kuose is a smaller player, but it engages in many of the same ethically and environmentally damaging practices as larger giants like Shein.
Kuose's products are primarily manufactured in factories located in China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The company does not disclose the specific factories it works with, making it impossible to independently verify labor conditions, worker safety, or wage practices.
The only minor positive aspect is Kuose's limited use of animal-derived materials like leather and fur, which reduces its impact on animal welfare. However, this is more a result of its reliance on cheap synthetic plastics rather than a proactive ethical policy, and it does not offset the brand's serious shortcomings in labor rights and environmental sustainability.
