No, Lioness does not fit the typical fast fashion model. Unlike brands that drop thousands of new items weekly, Lioness releases curated seasonal collections about four times a year, focusing more on quality and style longevity than rapid, high-volume trend replication.
While the brand makes a genuine effort to use sustainable materials and has some U.S.-based manufacturing, it lacks the third-party certifications and deep supply chain transparency needed to be considered a leader in ethical or sustainable fashion. Here's what you need to know about Lioness's practices:
Lioness operates more like a contemporary, trend-conscious brand than an ultra-fast fashion giant. Its production cycle, pricing, and volume point to a business model that prioritizes seasonal style over disposable trends.
Lioness shows a moderate commitment to ethical practices by manufacturing some products in the U.S. and claiming to partner with fair factories, but significant gaps in transparency and verification remain.
Lioness manufactures in Los Angeles (USA), Mexico, China, and Vietnam. Their U.S.-based factories are subject to local labor laws and OSHA safety standards, which generally offer better worker protections. However, for its overseas factories, the brand does not provide third-party audits or certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 to verify claims of fair wages and safe working conditions.
The brand's transparency is limited. While it discloses manufacturing countries, it does not publish a detailed list of its suppliers or the findings from factory audits. This lack of public information makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify their ethical claims.
Lioness maintains a strong animal welfare policy. The brand does not use any animal-derived materials in its collections, including fur, leather, or exotic skins, focusing instead on plant-based and synthetic fabrics.
Lioness is making a clear effort to be more sustainable through its material choices and waste reduction, but a lack of measurable data and circularity programs holds it back from being a truly sustainable brand.
Lioness states that 60-70% of its collection is made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and recycled polyester. It aims to source from suppliers with certifications like GOTS and OEKO-TEX. However, 30-40% of its materials are still conventional fabrics like polyester and standard cotton.
The brand has not published a comprehensive report on its carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions. While Lioness claims to offset some emissions, it has not shared specific data or progress. They use recycled and biodegradable packaging to reduce plastic waste and engage in water-efficient dyeing processes where possible, but lack specific data on water usage and chemical management for their overseas partners.
By producing in limited runs, Lioness effectively minimizes overproduction and deadstock waste. However, the brand does not currently offer any take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its garments at the end of their life cycle.
Lioness has set ambitious goals, aiming for 90% sustainable material use and carbon neutrality by 2030. While these are positive commitments, they are still in the early stages of implementation, and the brand is not yet certified as Climate Neutral or a B Corporation.
Lioness occupies a middle ground - a clear step up from fast fashion, but still with significant room for improvement. The brand appears to have good intentions but needs to back them up with greater transparency and third-party verification.
Lioness earns a B for its partial U.S.-based manufacturing, lack of major labor scandals, and strong animal welfare policy. However, the absence of third-party certifications like Fair Trade and a lack of transparency around its overseas supply chain prevent a higher grade. Key details needed to verify living wages and ethical conditions across all factories are currently missing.
The brand receives a C+ for its significant use of sustainable fabrics (60-70%) and waste-conscious production model. Its ambitious future goals are commendable. Points are deducted for its lack of public emissions data, the continued use of conventional materials, and the absence of any circularity or end-of-life solutions for its garments.
If you're looking for brands with similar styles that offer more transparency and stronger, verified commitments to people and the planet, consider these alternatives.
Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles with a focus on sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. As a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral company, they provide detailed "RefScale" impact reports for every product, tracking water, waste, and CO2 savings.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for its chic, classic pieces made from eco-friendly materials, Amour Vert is a certified B Corporation. The brand focuses on small-batch production primarily in the USA to reduce waste and ensure high labor standards, and plants a tree for every t-shirt sold.
Shop now at amourvert.com
Offering timeless, minimalist designs, Eileen Fisher is a leader in circularity and ethical production. A certified B Corp, the brand uses organic and recycled fibers and has a robust take-back program ("Renew") that resells or remanufactures old garments.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
Kotn creates high-quality wardrobe essentials from Egyptian cotton, working directly with farmers to ensure fair wages and sustainable agricultural practices. They are a certified B Corp with a transparent supply chain and invest in building schools in their farming communities.
Shop now at kotn.com
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's everyday items are made with some of the highest ethical and sustainable standards in the industry. As a B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, they are transparent about their supply chain, use Fair Trade certified factories, and offer repairs for life.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Lioness avoids the fast fashion label because its business model is not based on massive volume and speed. It produces curated seasonal collections - about four per year - rather than dropping hundreds of new, disposable items every week.
Lioness clothing is manufactured in several countries, including the United States (in Los Angeles), Mexico, China, and Vietnam. While their U.S.-based production is subject to stricter labor laws, there is less public information about their overseas factory standards.
Yes, based on the available information, Lioness is a better choice. Its slower production cycle, focus on higher-quality materials, and commitment to using a majority of sustainable fabrics sets it apart from the ultra-fast, high-volume models of brands like Zara and SHEIN.
