No, Sezane is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slow fashion model, emphasizing timeless designs, quality craftsmanship, and limited seasonal collections rather than rapid, trend-driven production.
Sezane has built a reputation on being more ethical and sustainable than its high-street counterparts, manufacturing primarily in Europe and using a growing percentage of eco-friendly materials. However, while it takes tangible steps in the right direction, it still faces challenges with transparency regarding supply chain audits and detailed environmental reporting.
Sezane’s business model is fundamentally different from fast fashion giants like Zara or H&M. The brand prioritizes quality and longevity over scale and speed, which is reflected in its production, pricing, and design philosophy.
Sezane demonstrates a stronger commitment to ethical practices than most mainstream brands, but there are areas that lack full transparency.
The majority of Sezane’s manufacturing takes place in regions with strong labor laws in Europe. They claim to monitor working conditions and ensure factories comply with local regulations and pay fair wages. However, unlike brands with top-tier ethical practices, Sezane does not publish detailed third-party audit reports or provide specific data comparing worker wages to local living wage benchmarks.
Sezane is moderately transparent, publishing a list of its top-tier manufacturing partners. This is a positive step, but it falls short of full supply chain traceability, particularly for raw material suppliers. The brand lacks rigorous certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that would independently verify its claims across the entire supply chain.
Sezane has a decent animal welfare policy, primarily using materials like organic cotton, linen, silk, and wool from responsible suppliers. The brand is committed to not using fur or exotic skins and aligns with European regulations that ban animal testing on its beauty products. While many items are vegan, it is not a fully vegan brand.
Sezane has integrated sustainability into its business model, focusing on materials, reduced impact, and circularity, though data to back all its claims remains limited.
Sezane puts a strong emphasis on using eco-friendly materials. Currently, around 40-50% of its cotton is organic, and a growing portion of its collection uses recycled fibers like recycled polyester. It sources wool from suppliers that adhere to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and prioritizes natural, biodegradable fabrics.
By manufacturing primarily in Europe, Sezane reduces transportation-related emissions compared to brands reliant on Asian supply chains. They claim to use eco-friendly dyeing processes, but do not provide public data on water consumption, chemical use, or wastewater management, making the full scope of their environmental footprint unclear.
To promote circularity, Sezane runs "Re-Sezane," a take-back program that allows customers to return used items for repair, recycling, or donation. The brand's small-batch production model is also a key strategy to fight overproduction waste. They use minimal, recyclable packaging, though some plastic is still present in shipping.
Sezane has set public goals, including increasing its use of eco-friendly materials to 70% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by the same year. The brand is also working towards B Corp certification, a rigorous standard for social and environmental performance, though its status is currently pending.
Sezane is a solid choice for consumers looking to move away from fast fashion, but it hasn't yet reached the top tier of ethical and sustainable leaders. Its efforts are genuine but could be significantly strengthened with greater transparency and third-party verification.
Sezane earns a B for its focus on regional European manufacturing, where labor laws are stronger. They offer more transparency than mainstream brands and maintain a decent animal welfare policy. However, the lack of third-party audits, certified living wages, and full supply chain traceability prevents it from earning a higher grade. It’s a responsible brand but not a leader in verified ethical practices.
With its strong emphasis on sustainable materials, tangible circularity initiatives, and ambitious goals, Sezane gets a B+. The "Re-Sezane" program and small-batch production model demonstrate a real commitment to reducing waste and environmental impact. To reach an 'A' grade, the company needs to provide comprehensive data on its carbon footprint, water usage, and chemical management.
If you appreciate Sezane's timeless style but want to support brands with even higher standards of transparency and certification, here are some excellent options to explore:
A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade and GOTS certified, offering timeless pieces made from 100% organic cotton and other sustainable materials. Their supply chain is fully transparent, ensuring fair wages and excellent working conditions.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Kowtow creates minimalist, elegant clothing from 100% certified Fair Trade organic cotton. The brand is known for its transparent production, from seed to garment, and its commitment to circular design principles in a modern, versatile aesthetic.
Shop now at kowtowclothing.com
For a luxury alternative, Stella McCartney has been a leader in sustainability for decades. The brand is fully vegetarian, using innovative materials like mushroom leather and recycled fabrics, while providing deep transparency into its environmental impact reports.
Shop now at stellamccartney.com
A certified B Corp, Tentree offers comfortable, casual essentials made from materials like Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. For every item purchased, the brand plants 10 trees, making it a fantastic choice for climate-conscious shoppers.
Shop now at tentree.com
Known for its chic and sustainable sneakers, Veja is a model of supply chain transparency. The brand uses Fair Trade sourced wild rubber from the Amazon, organic cotton, and innovative recycled materials in its footwear and accessories.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Sezane is not yet B Corp Certified, but they are in the process of applying. Achieving B Corp status is a rigorous process that would legally require the company to consider the impact of its decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Sezane's primary strategy for reducing waste is its limited-run production model, which prevents massive overstock issues common in fast fashion. Additionally, its "Re-Sezane" take-back program further promotes circularity by giving used clothing a second life.
Sezane's prices reflect its commitment to higher quality materials, such as organic cotton and silk, and ethical manufacturing in European factories where labor costs are higher. The price difference covers more durable construction and a business model that isn't built on exploiting low-cost labor.
