Yes, Pomelo is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, trend replication, and affordable pricing that encourages high-volume consumption. While competing in the busy Southeast Asian market, Pomelo lacks significant transparency in its supply chain and has made minimal progress on environmental sustainability.
The brand's ethical and environmental efforts are insufficient to counteract the harmful impacts of its fast fashion model. Here’s what you need to know about Pomelo's practices:
Pomelo follows the core principles of a fast fashion retailer by prioritizing speed, volume, and low costs to keep up with trendy, short-lived styles.
Pomelo's ethical practices are concerning due to an extreme lack of transparency regarding its supply chain and labor conditions.
Pomelo's manufacturing is concentrated in Thailand, Vietnam, and China - regions with documented risks of labor exploitation. Without a published list of its suppliers, it is impossible to verify worker conditions. Reports from organizations like the Clean Clothes Campaign show that garment workers in these areas often face low wages, with industry averages of $180-$250 per month falling significantly below the estimated living wage of $300-$400.
Pomelo provides almost no transparency into its supply chain. The company does not publish a supplier list, share results from factory audits, or hold credible third-party certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000. This complete opacity makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to hold the brand accountable for the conditions in its factories.
The majority of Pomelo's products are made from synthetic materials, so the direct use of animal products like leather or fur is limited. However, the brand has no stated animal welfare policy and does not hold any certifications that ensure the materials it does use are cruelty-free.
Pomelo's sustainability practices are minimal, with a heavy reliance on environmentally damaging materials and no clear strategy for reducing its impact.
The majority of Pomelo's clothing is made from conventional synthetic fibers like polyester, which is derived from fossil fuels and contributes to microplastic pollution. While the brand claims to use some recycled polyester, it likely makes up a small fraction (estimated 10-20%) of its total material use and there is no public data to verify this. Pomelo lacks any notable sustainability certifications like OEKO-TEX, GOTS, or BCI for its fabrics.
Pomelo has not published any data regarding its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The brand has not set any science-based targets for reducing emissions or committed to carbon neutrality. Its global shipping operations likely create a large but undisclosed carbon footprint.
The brand operates on a linear "take-make-waste" model. Pomelo has no recycling, take-back, or repair programs to extend its products' lifecycle. Unsold inventory likely ends up in landfills, and packaging primarily consists of non-recyclable plastic polybags, contributing to plastic waste.
Pomelo is a quintessential fast fashion player whose business practices prioritize speed and profit over people and the planet. Its claims of quality and sustainability are not backed by evidence, transparency, or meaningful action.
Pomelo receives a D for its severe lack of transparency regarding its supply chain. Without any disclosure of its factories, audit results, or independent certifications, its claims of ethical production are unsubstantiated. The brand operates in high-risk manufacturing regions, making this opacity a significant ethical failure.
Pomelo earns a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials, the complete absence of environmental reporting, and no clear strategy or public commitment to reduce its impact. Its business model inherently promotes waste and overconsumption, making any minor good it does (like sparsely using recycled polyester) insignificant.
If you're seeking trendy styles without the steep ethical and environmental cost, here are several better alternatives to Pomelo:
Reformation offers fashion-forward, on-trend pieces made with a strong commitment to sustainability. The brand uses a high percentage of low-impact materials like TENCEL™, provides detailed "RefScale" impact reports for each item, and is certified Climate Neutral.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for its minimalist essentials and radical transparency, Everlane discloses its partner factories and price breakdown for each item. It uses a growing amount of recycled and organic materials and has strong commitments to reducing virgin plastic and carbon emissions.
Shop now at everlane.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is a certified B Corp and guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organization. It exclusively uses sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and works with artisan groups to provide fair wages and support livelihoods.
Shop now at peopleandplanet.peopletree.co.uk
Thought designs timeless pieces using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel. The brand is committed to a transparent supply chain and ethical manufacturing, ensuring its partners adhere to a strict code of conduct on worker welfare.
Shop now at wearethought.com
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's casual wear offers unparalleled durability and ethical rigor. As a certified B Corp, it uses 87% recycled materials, guarantees Fair Trade Certified sewing for much of its line, and invests heavily in environmental activism.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Pomelo manufactures its clothing in countries across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and China. However, the company does not disclose specific factory locations or provide any transparency in its supply chain partners, making verification of labor conditions difficult.
Pomelo claims to use some sustainable materials like recycled polyester in specific collections. However, these materials constitute a minimal portion (estimated 10-20%) of their total fabric usage, with the vast majority being conventional synthetics. Pomelo does not have certifications like GOTS or BCI to verify its material claims.
Currently, there is little public evidence to suggest that Pomelo is making significant improvements. The brand lacks any clear, time-bound sustainability goals, doesn't publish a transparency report, and hasn't acquired major certifications. Meaningful progress would require increased transparency and a fundamental change to its materials and business model.
