Yes, Rat & Boa is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on frequent collection drops, rapid replication of current trends, and a focus on volume sales over garment longevity.
While the brand makes vague claims about ethical sourcing, it lacks the transparency and third-party verification to support them. Environmentally, its heavy reliance on conventional synthetic materials and an absence of clear sustainability targets place it far behind industry leaders in responsible practices. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Rat & Boa's practices.
Rat & Boa operates with a business model that prioritizes speed and trend-driven sales, placing it firmly in the fast fashion category despite its slightly higher price point.
Rat & Boa's ethical practices are highly questionable due to a significant lack of transparency and an absence of any meaningful commitments to worker welfare.
Rat & Boa manufactures in countries like China, India, and Turkey, all regions with documented risks of labor exploitation in the garment industry. The brand provides no factory list, third-party audits, or certifications (like Fair Trade or SA8000) to prove its claims of working with “ethical factories.” Without this evidence, there is no way to verify if workers are paid a living wage or work in safe conditions.
The brand is extremely opaque about its supply chain. It does not publish a list of its partner factories or disclose any information about its auditing processes. This complete lack of transparency makes it impossible for consumers or independent organizations to hold Rat & Boa accountable for its labor practices.
Rat & Boa uses some animal-derived materials, including feathers and leather, in its designs. The company provides no information about the sourcing of these materials and holds no animal welfare certifications, such as PETA-Approved Vegan or the Responsible Wool Standard, raising concerns about animal welfare in its supply chain.
Rat & Boa demonstrates a significant disregard for environmental sustainability, with no tangible commitments, data, or certified practices in place.
The brand overwhelmingly uses conventional, environmentally damaging materials like polyester (a plastic derived from fossil fuels) and viscose. There is limited to no evidence that Rat & Boa uses sustainable alternatives like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel at any significant scale. It lacks common material certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
Rat & Boa does not publish any data related to its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. Manufacturing with conventional materials and synthetic dyes is highly resource-intensive and polluting, but the brand provides no information on its efforts to mitigate this impact.
The brand has no recycling, take-back, or repair programs to extend the life of its products. Its business model, which is based on churning out trendy clothes, inherently contributes to a culture of disposability and textile waste. Rat & Boa does not disclose how it manages unsold inventory, a major source of waste in fashion.
Rat & Boa has not published any meaningful, measurable, time-bound sustainability goals. The company has not announced commitments to reduce carbon emissions, transition to sustainable materials, or achieve certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral.
Rat & Boa’s glamorous image hides a business model that fails to meet basic ethical and sustainable standards. Its lack of transparency and reliance on a fast fashion production cycle makes it a poor choice for conscious consumers.
Rat & Boa receives a D for its ethical practices. The brand's complete lack of transparency around its supply chain makes its claims of "ethical" production baseless. Without supplier lists, third-party audits, or a commitment to living wages, there is no reason to believe its workers are treated fairly.
The brand earns a D here as well. Its heavy use of polluting virgin synthetics, absence of any environmental reporting, and lack of sustainability goals or circular programs show a negligible commitment to protecting the planet. The business model that encourages overconsumption further solidifies this low grade.
If you're seeking the trendy, feminine aesthetic of Rat & Boa but from brands that prioritize people and the planet, consider these more responsible alternatives.
Reformation creates on-trend, feminine apparel with a strong commitment to sustainability. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified, uses a high percentage of sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics, and provides detailed transparency on its factory partners and wages.
Shop now at thereformation.com
This B Corp-certified French brand offers chic, timeless styles and is transparent about its production workshops in Europe. Sezane uses over 75% eco-friendly materials, including organic cotton, recycled polyester, and vegetable-tanned leather, and has strong commitments to fair labor.
Shop now at sezane.com
Christy Dawn crafts beautiful, vintage-inspired dresses and apparel using deadstock fabric and regenerative cotton grown on its own farm. The brand prioritizes ethical production with fair wages for its seamstresses in Los Angeles and India and is committed to a farm-to-closet supply chain.
Shop now at christydawn.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and focuses on creating classic styles with organic and natural materials. They partner with artisans and farmers in the developing world to create social impact and pay guaranteed fair wages.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Known for its timeless minimalism, Eileen Fisher is a B Corp and a leader in circularity with its robust Renew take-back program. The brand uses a high percentage of sustainable materials like organic linen and recycled fibers and is transparent about its ethical supply chain efforts.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
No, Rat & Boa is not a luxury brand. It is a mid-range fast fashion brand that positions itself with trendy marketing and slightly higher prices than ultra-fast fashion retailers, but its production model, material quality, and lack of ethical commitments do not align with true luxury.
While designed in the UK, Rat & Boa's clothing is manufactured in several countries, including China, India, and Turkey. The brand does not disclose the specific factories it works with, which limits transparency.
There is no evidence that Rat & Boa uses recycled or sustainable materials in any significant quantity. Its collections are predominantly made from conventional, virgin fabrics like polyester and viscose.
