Yes, Savage X Fenty is a fast fashion brand. While celebrated for its groundbreaking inclusivity and body positivity, its business model aligns with fast fashion through its rapid production cycles, trend-driven designs, and affordable pricing that encourages frequent purchasing.
The brand's ethical strengths in diversity are undermined by a significant lack of transparency in its supply chain and labor practices. On the sustainability front, Savage X Fenty falls short due to its heavy reliance on synthetic materials and the absence of clear environmental commitments or targets. Here's what you need to know about Savage X Fenty's practices:
Despite its premium, mission-driven marketing, Savage X Fenty's core operations rely on a classic fast fashion model of speed, volume, and affordability.
Savage X Fenty scores high on social ethics like diversity and inclusion, but its performance on labor ethics and supply chain transparency is poor.
The brand provides very little information about its manufacturing partners in Asia. There is no evidence that it pays a living wage, reports suggest that wages in its sourcing regions like Bangladesh can be as low as $150-$200 per month, far below the estimated living wage of $300-$400. Savage X Fenty has not published any third-party audits to verify worker safety or fair pay.
Transparency is a major weakness for Savage X Fenty. The brand does not publish a supplier list, meaning consumers have no way of knowing where the clothes are made or under what conditions. It lacks key certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that would verify its ethical claims through independent audits.
Savage X Fenty's primary ethical strength is its genuine and industry-leading commitment to diversity and inclusion. Its marketing campaigns and runway shows consistently celebrate a wide range of body sizes, skin tones, genders, and abilities, setting a powerful standard for the fashion industry.
Savage X Fenty mainly uses synthetic and plant-based materials like nylon, polyester, and cotton, so animal welfare is not a primary concern. The brand does not use fur or exotic animal skins, and there is no evidence of animal testing. However, it lacks any formal animal welfare policies or certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan.
Savage X Fenty demonstrates very little commitment to environmental sustainability. Its reliance on virgin synthetics and lack of public goals place it far behind industry leaders.
The majority of Savage X Fenty products are made from petroleum-based synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, and spandex. These materials are not biodegradable, release microplastics when washed, and are energy-intensive to produce. The company shows no significant use of more sustainable alternatives like recycled polyester or organic cotton and lacks certifications like GOTS or the Global Recycled Standard.
The brand does not publish any data regarding its environmental footprint, including carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management. Given its high-volume production of synthetic garments, its environmental impact is likely substantial. There are no publicly stated goals to reduce emissions or shift toward renewable energy within its supply chain.
Savage X Fenty has no recycling or take-back programs to manage its products at the end of their life. The brand does not discuss its strategies for handling unsold inventory or production waste. Furthermore, its packaging is often plastic-based, with no mention of using recycled or certified compostable materials.
While Savage X Fenty’s inclusive marketing is commendable, its underlying business practices are classic fast fashion. The brand prioritizes marketing-driven empowerment over the operational transparency and sustainability commitments needed for a truly ethical business model.
The brand earns a C+ for its groundbreaking work in diversity and inclusion, which sets a positive social standard. However, this grade is held back by a severe lack of transparency across its supply chain, no evidence of its workers being paid a living wage, and no meaningful third-party certifications to back up any claims of ethical production.
Savage X Fenty gets a D+ for sustainability due to a near-total absence of environmental initiatives. Its business is built on virgin synthetic materials, it provides no data on its environmental footprint, and it has set no public targets for improvement. Aside from not using fur, the brand shows minimal effort to address the significant environmental impact of its operations.
If you're looking for inclusive and stylish lingerie and loungewear from brands with stronger commitments to people and the planet, here are some better alternatives.
A certified B Corp, Organic Basics offers minimalist underwear and activewear made from sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled nylon. They ensure fair labor through partnerships verified by the Fair Wear Foundation and provide full transparency on their factory partners.
Shop now at organicbasics.com
Specializing in underwear, Knickey uses only GOTS-certified organic cotton and is Fair Trade Certified, guaranteeing living wages and safe conditions for workers. It also runs an industry-leading recycling program for old underwear from any brand.
Shop now at knickey.com
Offering inclusive sizing (XXS-6XL), Girlfriend Collective makes activewear, bras, and underwear from recycled materials like post-consumer water bottles and fishing nets. Its primary factory is SA8000 certified, ensuring fair wages and safe workplace conditions.
Shop now at girlfriend.com
Pact creates affordable basics, loungewear, and underwear using 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade certified factories. It provides a more sustainable and ethical alternative to Savage X Fenty’s loungewear offerings, with transparent pricing and sourcing.
Shop now at wearpact.com
For more luxurious, handcrafted lingerie, this family-owned brand produces its pieces in Italy with a focus on quality and durability. Cosabella partners with local artisans, ensures fair labor, and uses high-quality materials designed to last far longer than fast fashion alternatives.
Shop now at cosabella.com
As the founder and creative force, Rihanna shapes the brand's vision of inclusivity. However, the production, sourcing, and supply chain logistics are managed by its parent company, TechStyle Fashion Group, which operates a typical fast fashion business model with multiple, low-cost brands. These operational decisions regarding transparency and labor wages are a key part of that system.
Praise for Savage X Fenty typically focuses on its leadership in social ethics like body positivity, inclusive sizing, and diverse representation. However, our grade also factors in labor ethics and transparency, where the brand scores very poorly due to the lack of evidence of living wages and its refusal to disclose factory information.
Yes, subscription and membership models like Savage X Fenty's are designed to promote frequent purchasing and drive brand loyalty. By offering member-exclusive discounts and monthly store credits, it incentivizes a consumption cycle that is fundamentally at odds with sustainability, which calls for buying less and choosing higher-quality, longer-lasting items.
