No, Lucy & Yak is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slow fashion ethos that prioritizes small-batch production, original designs, and community engagement over the rapid, trend-driven model of typical fast fashion giants.
The brand has a solid commitment to ethical manufacturing and sustainable materials, reinforced by its B Corp certification. However, it falls short on full supply chain transparency, particularly for its facilities in China, preventing it from being an industry leader. Here’s a closer look at Lucy & Yak's practices.
Lucy & Yak's business model is a clear departure from the high-volume, low-cost fast fashion script. It focuses on originality, quality, and ethical production rather than churning out endless replicas of runway trends.
Lucy & Yak has a strong ethical framework, underscored by its Certified B Corporation status, which requires high standards of social and environmental performance. However, there are still areas where improvement is needed.
The majority of Lucy & Yak’s products are made in the UK and Portugal, where labor laws are relatively strict. They partner with factories that are audited by or compliant with the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), an organization focused on improving garment workers' rights. The brand states it pays fair wages that aim to meet living wage standards, although specific wage data per factory is not publicly shared.
While Lucy & Yak communicates openly about its philosophy and key partners, it lacks full transparency. The brand does not publish a complete list of its supplier factories or detailed third-party audit reports. This makes it difficult for consumers and watchdogs to independently verify all of its ethical claims, especially for its smaller production operations in China.
Lucy & Yak has a strong animal welfare policy. Its collections are almost entirely vegan, avoiding materials like leather, fur, and wool. Instead, the brand focuses on plant-based and cruelty-free materials like organic cotton and linen, making it a good choice for shoppers conscious of animal rights.
Lucy & Yak has built its brand on sustainability, making significant progress in its use of materials and its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, though gaps in data reporting remain.
The brand prioritizes sustainable fabrics, with approximately 80% of its collections made from materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. Sourcing materials from suppliers in Portugal and the UK also helps reduce transportation-related emissions for its European manufacturing.
By manufacturing in regulated European countries, Lucy & Yak benefits from stricter environmental laws governing water, chemical, and energy use. The brand has set goals to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2040. However, specific data on their water consumption, chemical usage, and current carbon emissions is not readily available.
Lucy & Yak promotes a circular model with its "Re-Loved" program, which offers repair services and facilitates the buying and selling of used pieces to extend their lifespan. The company also uses biodegradable or recycled materials for its packaging, though some plastics are still used in shipping.
As a Certified B Corp, Lucy & Yak is legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This certification validates that the company meets high standards of performance, transparency, and accountability, supporting its climate goals and sustainability claims.
Lucy & Yak stands out as a strong ethical and sustainable alternative to fast fashion, but its journey toward industry-leading practices is not yet complete. The brand's commitment is clear, but greater transparency and data reporting are needed to fully earn consumer trust.
Lucy & Yak earns a B for its solid commitment to ethical manufacturing and fair labor, backed by its B Corp status and partnerships in Europe. It actively promotes an inclusive and positive community ethos. The grade is held back from an A by a lack of full supply chain transparency and the absence of publicly available audit reports, particularly for its suppliers in China.
For sustainability, Lucy & Yak also gets a B. The brand receives high marks for its extensive use of sustainable materials (around 80% of its collection), its strong climate goals, and innovative circularity programs. It loses points due to a lack of publicly available, detailed data on its environmental footprint and the fact that its circular initiatives are not yet comprehensive.
If you love Lucy & Yak's vibrant style and commitment to positive impact, here are a few other brands with similar values and even higher standards of transparency.
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and uses almost entirely GOTS-certified organic and natural materials. They offer timeless, feminine styles with unparalleled supply chain transparency, from the cotton farmers to the garment sewers.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Famous for durable outdoor wear and environmental activism, Patagonia is a B Corp that uses a high percentage of recycled and organic materials. The brand is Fair Trade Certified for a large portion of its collection and offers lifetime repairs to encourage longevity.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Thought creates easy-to-wear, timeless pieces using natural and sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. The UK-based brand is committed to a transparent supply chain and adheres to strict ethical and environmental codes of conduct for all its partners.
Shop now at wearethought.com
For lovers of high-quality denim, Nudie Jeans is a leader. They use 100% organic cotton, offer free repairs for life on all jeans, and are transparent about their production partners. Their philosophy focuses on creating jeans that can be worn and repaired for decades.
Shop now at nudiejeans.com
Known for colorful, inclusive, unisex basics, Big Bud Press manufactures all its clothing ethically in Los Angeles. The brand primarily uses locally-sourced, low-impact fabrics and is transparent about its production process and fair wage commitments.
Shop now at bigbudpress.com
Yes, Lucy & Yak is a Certified B Corporation. This legally requires them to balance profit with purpose by meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and public transparency for their impact on workers, the community, and the planet.
The majority of Lucy & Yak's clothing is made in the UK and Portugal, where they partner with factories that meet Fair Wear Foundation standards. A smaller portion of their production also takes place in China, though there is less public information available about these specific facilities.
Lucy & Yak has strong sustainability practices, including using 80% sustainable materials like organic cotton, setting ambitious carbon reduction goals, and running take-back programs. While they are a very sustainable choice compared to fast fashion, they are not yet fully transparent and lack detailed environmental reporting, leaving room for improvement.
