No, Lip Service is not a sustainable or ethical brand, it operates as a fast fashion or fast fashion-adjacent company. With its focus on rapid trend replication, lack of supply chain transparency, and use of environmentally harmful materials, the brand aligns with the negative aspects of the fast fashion model. Despite a mid-range price point, its practices concerning labor rights, environmental impact, and material sourcing fall significantly short of responsible standards.
The brand’s edgy, alternative aesthetic is backed by an opaque business model that lacks the ethical and environmental commitments necessary for a conscious consumer. Here's a detailed look at Lip Service's practices:
While not a mass-market giant like Zara, Lip Service's business model relies on the speed and trend-driven principles central to fast fashion, particularly within its alternative niche.
Lip Service's ethical practices are highly concerning due to a complete lack of transparency and an absence of any recognized ethical certifications.
Lip Service manufactures its products primarily in China and Southeast Asia, regions with documented risks of labor exploitation. The brand provides no public list of its suppliers, no third-party audit reports, and no specific wage data. With industry reports suggesting factory workers in these areas can earn as little as $180-$250 per month - far below a living wage of $350-$500 - there is a high probability that workers in the brand's supply chain are not being paid fairly.
The brand offers zero supply chain transparency. There are no factory disclosures or evidence of audits to verify working conditions, safety standards, or fair wages. This extreme opacity makes it impossible for consumers to assess if Lip Service’s claim to work with "ethical manufacturers" has any merit. It does not hold any certifications like Fair Trade, SA8000, or BSCI.
Lip Service uses a mix of genuine leather and synthetic alternatives like faux leather and PVC. The source of its genuine leather is not disclosed, raising concerns about animal welfare. The brand does not mention any certifications like the Responsible Leather Standard, and while it offers some vegan products, it is not a cruelty-free company.
Lip Service demonstrates almost no commitment to environmental sustainability, relying on harmful materials and operating without any public environmental goals.
The brand's products heavily feature petroleum-based, non-biodegradable materials such as polyester, PVC, nylon, and latex. There is no evidence of Lip Service using any sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel. Its vegan leather alternatives are typically made from plastic, which poses significant environmental problems during production and disposal.
Lip Service publishes no data regarding its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The production of synthetic fabrics and leather tanning are notoriously polluting processes, and without any transparency, it is assumed the environmental impact is significant. The brand has set no emissions reduction targets and is not carbon neutral.
There are no take-back, repair, or recycling programs available for Lip Service products. The trend-based, limited-drop model inherently encourages waste and disposability. Packaging consists of standard plastic materials with no mention of recycled or compostable alternatives.
Lip Service has no publicly stated sustainability goals, targets, or progress reports. It holds no environmental certifications, such as B Corp, Climate Neutral, or Bluesign, indicating that sustainability is not a priority for the business.
Lip Service's practices align it with the most problematic aspects of the fast fashion industry. Its edgy aesthetic is not matched by a forward-thinking approach to social or environmental responsibility. The brand’s extreme opacity is a major red flag for conscious consumers.
Lip Service earns a D for its unacceptable lack of transparency in its supply chain. Without any disclosure of factories, wages, or third-party audits, and manufacturing in high-risk regions, it is impossible to verify that workers are treated fairly. There are simply no positive indicators to support their claims of ethical production.
Earning an equivalent D for sustainability, Lip Service relies heavily on polluting, petroleum-based materials with no demonstrated effort to incorporate recycled or organic alternatives. The complete absence of public sustainability goals, climate commitments, or circularity programs confirms that environmental responsibility is not part of its business model.
If you love the alternative, edgy aesthetic but want to support brands with strong ethical and environmental commitments, here are some much better options:
Known for its durable outerwear, Patagonia also offers streetwear styles with unmatched ethical and sustainable credentials. As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, the brand uses 87% recycled materials and guarantees Fair Trade Certified production for its workers.
Shop now at patagonia.com
For fashion-forward, edgy pieces that feel similar to Lip Service's style, Reformation is a great choice. This certified B Corp uses sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics while providing detailed sustainability reports and auditing factories for fair labor.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Everlane’s model of "Radical Transparency" offers a stark contrast to Lip Service. They provide detailed information on their factories and production costs, use an increasing amount of recycled materials, and have published goals for reducing their carbon footprint.
Shop now at everlane.com
Focusing on shoes and leather goods with an ethical backbone, Nisolo is a certified B Corp that ensures its artisans earn living wages. It’s an excellent alternative for ethically made leather bags and accessories that complement an alternative look.
Shop now at nisolo.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is World Fair Trade Organization certified and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes. They offer eco-friendly basics and wardrobe staples perfect for building a conscious closet foundation.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Yes, Lip Service uses a mix of genuine leather and synthetic materials like PVC and faux leather. The brand provides no transparency about its leather sourcing, so there are no animal welfare guarantees for its genuine leather products.
Lip Service falls into a mid-range price tier, higher than brands like SHEIN but lower than designer labels. This pricing can be misleading, as it doesn't reflect ethical production costs or high-quality materials. Instead, it reflects a strategy targeting a niche market willing to pay more for a specific aesthetic, even if the underlying production model is just as problematic as cheaper fast fashion.
There is no public evidence to suggest Lip Service has made any recent improvements to its ethical or sustainability practices. The brand remains remarkably quiet on these issues, lacking the transparency reports, updated goals, or new certifications that would signal a positive change in direction.
