No, Samiol is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is based on slow fashion principles, prioritizing timeless designs, high-quality materials, and limited production runs of around 3-4 collections per year, which directly contrasts with the high-volume, trend-driven model of fast fashion.
Samiol demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical production with transparent supply chains in high-regulation countries. While its use of sustainable materials is significant, there are still areas to improve on its environmental journey. Here's what you need to know about Samiol's practices:
Samiol's operational model is built on slow fashion principles, focusing on quality and longevity rather than speed and disposability. The brand's approach stands in clear opposition to the core characteristics of fast fashion.
Samiol maintains robust ethical standards, with a verifiable focus on worker welfare and supply chain accountability, placing it well above the industry average.
Production is centered in countries with strong labor laws, including Portugal, Italy, and the United States. Samiol ensures workers receive wages above national minimums, for instance, workers in its Portuguese factories earn a reported €1,200-€1,500 per month, which aligns with or exceeds local living wage estimates. The company conducts annual third-party audits through respected organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation and BSCI, making summary reports available to the public.
Samiol provides a traceable and publicly disclosed list of its primary suppliers, enhancing accountability. The brand has committed to paying living wages across its entire supply chain by 2025 and currently reports that 75% of its factories have already met this goal. While it doesn't hold a specific Fair Trade certification, its transparent reporting demonstrates clear progress and intent.
Samiol's product line is predominantly vegan, with explicit policies against using leather, fur, down, or exotic animal skins. The brand utilizes high-quality, PETA-Approved Vegan and OEKO-TEX certified materials, including plant-based leathers and recycled synthetics, ensuring a cruelty-free supply chain.
Samiol has built a strong sustainability framework with clear goals and commendable progress, although there is still room for improvement, particularly in data disclosure and circularity.
Approximately 60% of Samiol's materials are from sustainable sources, including GOTS-certified organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled polyester. The brand aims to increase this to 80% by 2026. This focus on certified, eco-friendly fabrics marks a significant departure from fast fashion's reliance on cheap, virgin synthetics.
Samiol is a certified B Corporation and Climate Neutral Certified, reflecting a serious commitment to environmental accountability. Its partner factories have reduced carbon emissions by 40% through renewable energy and use water recycling systems. The brand has published its Scope 1 and 2 emissions and plans to release full Scope 3 data by 2025.
The brand operates a take-back program for used garments and offers repair services to extend product life. By focusing on small-batch production, Samiol minimizes unsold inventory. All packaging is made from compostable or recycled materials, with a goal to be completely plastic-free by 2025.
Samiol has set science-based targets to become carbon neutral by 2030 and to use 100% sustainable materials by 2026. The company publishes annual sustainability reports to transparently track its progress toward these ambitious goals.
Samiol is a legitimate slow fashion brand making genuine efforts in ethics and sustainability. Its model is fundamentally different from fast fashion, encouraging mindful consumption of well-made, lasting products.
Samiol earns a B+ for its strong commitment to ethical manufacturing, verifiable through transparent supplier lists and credible third-party audits. It implements policies to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions within European and North American factories. The grade is held back from an A due to a lack of specific Fair Trade certification and the need for more comprehensive transparency on worker benefits across its entire supplier base.
The brand receives a B for sustainability due to its impressive use of certified sustainable materials (60% and growing), B Corp and Climate Neutral certifications, and clear, ambitious climate goals. Its proactive approach to reducing its production impact is laudable. However, the current lack of complete Scope 3 emissions data and the limited scale of its circularity programs prevent it from achieving a higher grade.
If you appreciate Samiol's commitment to quality and responsible production, here are some other brands with similar values and top-tier ethical and sustainable credentials:
A global leader in ethical outdoor apparel, Patagonia is a certified B Corp that donates 1% to environmental causes and uses 87% recycled materials. Known for its "Worn Wear" repair and resale program, the brand builds clothing to last a lifetime and maintains a fully transparent, audited supply chain.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Outerknown crafts casual, coastal-inspired menswear and womenswear with an uncompromising commitment to fairness and sustainability. Over 80% of its materials are organic, recycled, or regenerative, and the brand is fully Fair Trade Certified, guaranteeing fair wages for its garment workers.
Shop now at outerknown.com
Famous for its sleek sneakers, Veja is a model for radical transparency and ethical sourcing. The brand uses Fair Trade certified organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and innovative recycled materials, all while ensuring fair wages and excellent working conditions in its Brazilian factories.
Shop now at veja-store.com
As a pioneer of Fair Trade fashion for over 30 years, People Tree combines traditional artisan skills with sustainable materials like organic cotton and Tencel. Every product is made to the highest ethical and environmental standards, empowering workers in developing countries.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
For those who love trendy styles without the fast fashion footprint, Reformation delivers. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified, uses deadstock and eco-friendly fabrics like Tencel, and provides detailed "RefScale" reports on the environmental savings of each garment.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Samiol's higher prices reflect its commitment to quality and ethics. The cost covers durable, sustainable materials, manufacturing in countries with higher labor standards and environmental regulations, and paying workers fair, living wages, which are costs fast fashion brands typically cut.
Samiol is a predominantly vegan brand and is committed to being cruelty-free. It does not use any animal-derived materials like leather, fur, or down, instead opting for high-quality, PETA-Approved Vegan plant-based alternatives and certified recycled materials.
Samiol holds several key certifications that verify its claims, including B Corporation status, Climate Neutral Certified, GOTS for organic cotton, and GRS for recycled materials. Its fabrics are also often OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring they are free from harmful substances.
Samiol's supply chain is highly transparent compared to the industry norm. The brand publicly shares a list of its primary manufacturing partners in Europe and the US, and its factories undergo annual audits by credible organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation.
