No, Lisa Says Gah is not a fast fashion brand. It operates as a curated online boutique that releases a limited number of collections annually, focusing on unique designs from independent labels and its in-house brand rather than rapid, high-volume trend replication.
The brand shows a solid commitment to ethical production by working with smaller, regulated factories, but its sustainability efforts are a work-in-progress, blending strong material choices with a need for greater transparency and data verification. Here's what you need to know about Lisa Says Gah's practices:
Unlike fast fashion giants, Lisa Says Gah's business model prioritizes curation and controlled production over mass-market speed and volume.
Lisa Says Gah demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical production, though there is room for greater transparency to fully verify its claims.
The brand primarily manufactures its clothing in small-scale factories located in the United States and Europe, regions known for stronger labor laws and worker protections. It states a commitment to fair wages and safe working conditions, often partnering with suppliers holding certifications like WRAP or BSCI. However, Lisa Says Gah does not publish specific wage data to confirm if workers are paid a verifiable living wage - a key benchmark for ethical fashion.
While the brand is open about its manufacturing locations and its commitment to ethical partnerships, it does not publish a complete list of its factories or detailed third-party audit results. This lack of full disclosure makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify all of its labor claims. The transparency is better than most fast fashion brands but falls short of industry leaders who provide comprehensive supplier information.
Lisa Says Gah's collections are predominantly made from plant-based and synthetic materials like organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and recycled fabrics. The brand avoids fur and exotic skins, and when it does use animal-derived materials like wool, it aims to work with suppliers that follow animal welfare standards. However, it does not widely use accredited certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).
Lisa Says Gah has integrated many positive sustainability practices, particularly in its material choices, but lacks the comprehensive data and circularity programs of a truly sustainable brand.
This is a strong point for the brand. Approximately 70-80% of its collection is made from more sustainable fabrics, including organic cotton, linen, Tencel (Lyocell), and recycled polyester. Sourcing a high percentage of eco-friendly materials demonstrates a genuine commitment to reducing its environmental footprint from the very start of the production process.
Lisa Says Gah works with manufacturers that implement eco-friendly practices like water-efficient dyeing methods. The brand also offsets some of its shipping emissions and uses recycled and biodegradable packaging to reduce its carbon impact. However, it does not publish a comprehensive carbon emissions report or life-cycle assessment of its products, making it difficult to measure its total environmental footprint.
By producing in small, limited-edition batches, Lisa Says Gah effectively avoids the massive overproduction and deadstock waste common in fast fashion. However, the company does not currently have a formal take-back, repair, or recycling program to manage its garments at the end of their life cycle and promote a circular economy.
The brand has set a goal to use 100% sustainable materials by 2030 and regularly shares progress through its internal reporting. While these ambitions are admirable, they are not yet verified by independent, third-party organizations, leaving their progress reliant on self-reporting.
Lisa Says Gah occupies a space between mainstream brands and the most rigorously vetted sustainable labels. It's making good-faith efforts to be a more conscious choice, but key gaps in transparency and data verification prevent it from earning top marks.
The brand earns a B for its commitment to working with small, audited factories in regions with strong labor laws and its clean record regarding labor scandals. This positions it far ahead of typical fast fashion brands. However, its grade is capped due to a lack of complete supply chain transparency and the absence of a confirmed living wage policy for all workers in its supply chain.
Lisa Says Gah receives a C+ for its excellent use of sustainable materials (70-80% of its collections) and its small-batch production model that minimizes waste. The grade is held back by the lack of published, verified environmental impact data (like carbon and water footprints) and the absence of any take-back or circularity programs, which are becoming standard for sustainable brands.
If you're looking for brands with a similar aesthetic but with even stronger, more transparent commitments to ethics and sustainability, consider these alternatives.
As a B Corp, Reformation is a leader in transparency, publishing detailed sustainability reports and impact scores for each garment. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified, uses a very high percentage of low-impact materials, pays living wages in its own Los Angeles factory, and has a robust recycling program.
Shop now at thereformation.com
A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified through the WFTO, ensuring producers receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. The brand exclusively uses sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes, putting social and environmental justice at its core.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Specializing in activewear, this brand is known for radical transparency and sustainability, using recycled materials like plastic bottles for its fabrics. Its factories are SA8000 certified, guaranteeing fair wages and safe conditions, and its "ReGirlfriend" take-back program ensures old pieces are recycled into new ones.
Shop now at girlfriend.com
Everlane built its brand on "radical transparency," publishing details about its factories and production costs. While it has faced some criticism, it has strong commitments to using sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics and maintains high ethical standards for its carefully selected factory partners worldwide.
Shop now at everlane.com
An industry leader in both environmental and social responsibility, Patagonia is a certified B Corp that uses an extensive amount of recycled materials and funds environmental activism. The company is deeply transparent about its supply chain, is Fair Trade Certified for a large portion of its products, and offers a lifetime repair program to combat overconsumption.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Whether Lisa Says Gah is worth the price depends on your priorities. The mid-range costs reflect the use of higher-quality, sustainable materials and investment in more ethical production compared to fast fashion. For consumers willing to pay more for unique designs and conscious production, it can be a good value.
Lisa Says Gah manufactures its clothing in a mix of small-scale, ethically managed factories. A significant portion of its production is based in the USA (specifically California) and Europe, with some items sourced from trusted, audited partners in Asia.
There are no documented or widely reported controversies involving Lisa Says Gah stealing designs. The brand is known for its original, often vintage-inspired aesthetic and frequently collaborates with independent artists and designers, indicating a respect for creative integrity.
