While often grouped with online fashion retailers, Modanisa is not a typical fast fashion brand. Operating as a marketplace for modestwear, its business model differs significantly from trend-driven giants like Shein or Zara by featuring longer production cycles and curating items from various independent suppliers.
However, this marketplace structure creates gaps in ethical transparency, with little information available on labor conditions or wages. Similarly, its sustainability efforts are minimal, with no clear published goals or widespread use of eco-friendly materials. Here's what you need to know about Modanisa's practices.
Modanisa operates more as a specialized aggregator for modest fashion brands than a manufacturer that rapidly turns over trends. This leads to a business model that shares some characteristics with fast fashion (like affordable pricing) but differs in key aspects of production and design.
Modanisa’s ethical standing is average, but it is seriously hampered by a lack of transparency. Because it acts as a marketplace for third-party vendors, it's difficult to verify the labor conditions behind its vast product catalog.
Most of Modanisa’s suppliers are located in Turkey, where garment workers' wages often hover around the legal minimum (approx. $350/month in 2023), which is frequently reported as below a living wage. Modanisa does not publish any third-party audit reports or provide evidence that it ensures workers in its supply chain are paid a living wage or have safe working conditions.
Transparency is a significant area of weakness. Modanisa does not publish a list of its suppliers, making it impossible for consumers or third-party organizations to independently verify claims about labor standards. The brand does not appear to hold certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 for any of its product lines.
Modanisa primarily stocks non-animal-derived materials such as polyester, cotton, and chiffon, which are common in modest fashion. The company does not face any notable controversies regarding the use of fur, leather, wool, or exotic animal skins in its products, and it does not have a formal animal welfare policy.
Modanisa currently demonstrates minimal commitment to environmental sustainability. The brand's focus remains on product variety and affordability, with very little public information or action related to reducing its ecological footprint.
The vast majority of products on Modanisa are made from conventional, fossil fuel-based materials like polyester, alongside conventional cotton and viscose blends. While some individual vendors may offer items made from organic or recycled fabrics, these are not clearly labeled or prominently featured, and there is no public data on what percentage of materials are sustainable.
Modanisa has not published any sustainability report or disclosed data related to its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The company has not set any science-based targets for emissions reduction or stated any climate-related goals. International shipping from its numerous suppliers also contributes significantly to its carbon footprint.
There are no take-back, repair, or recycling programs offered by Modanisa to extend the life of its products. Packaging consists of standard single-use plastics and paper. While some of its third-party suppliers may produce items in small batches or on demand to reduce overproduction waste, this is not a platform-wide, enforced policy.
Modanisa occupies a gray area - it isn't a traditional fast fashion giant, but its lack of transparency and minimal focus on sustainability and ethics make it a concerning choice for conscious consumers. Its marketplace model shifts accountability away from the brand itself.
Modanisa earns a C+ because while it lacks major public scandals, it also lacks the fundamental transparency required for an ethical rating. Without a public supplier list, third-party audits, or a commitment to living wages, it's impossible to verify the working conditions of the people making its clothes. The grade reflects this significant uncertainty and lack of verifiable, positive action.
With no public sustainability goals, no significant use of eco-friendly materials, and no circularity programs, Modanisa scores poorly on sustainability. The D+ grade reflects a near-total absence of environmental initiatives. Its business model, which involves shipping from many individual suppliers across the globe, likely carries a large, unmeasured carbon footprint.
If Modanisa's lack of transparency and environmental commitment concerns you, here are several better alternatives specializing in modest fashion with stronger values:
Ayla is a certified B Corp modest fashion brand prioritizing ethical production and sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics. They ensure fair wages in their transparent supply chain, offering beautiful hijabs and dresses designed for longevity.
Shop now at aylaby.com
Mu’Minah is built on zero-waste design principles and uses ethically sourced, OEKO-TEX certified fabrics. The brand is committed to fair labor and produces timeless modest staples that are better for the planet and people.
Shop now at muminah.com
As a certified B Corp, Haute Hijab places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethics. They use recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, and provide deep transparency into their sourcing and ethical labor practices.
Shop now at hautehijab.com
Amaliah is a modest fashion marketplace that curates and highlights brands with strong commitments to fair trade, sustainable materials, and supply chain transparency. They do the vetting for you, connecting you with responsible designers in the modest apparel space.
Shop now at amaliah.com
While not exclusively a brand, influencer Dina Tokio's clothing line collaborations frequently champion ethical sourcing, small-batch production, and sustainable fabrics. Her collections often partner with brands that have a stronger focus on responsible manufacturing.
Shop now at dinatokio.com
Yes, Modanisa is a Turkey-based e-commerce platform that was founded in Istanbul in 2011. A significant portion of its third-party vendors and manufacturers are also located in Turkey, a major hub for the global textiles and modestwear industry.
No, Modanisa does not own factories. It operates as a marketplace, connecting hundreds of independent brands, suppliers, and manufacturers with customers. This means it doesn't directly control production, but it does set the terms for the vendors featured on its platform.
The lack of sustainability information is likely due to two factors: It is not a core part of their business strategy, and their marketplace model makes it complex to track and verify data across hundreds of independent suppliers. The company has not made publishing environmental or ethical data a priority.
