Ethical Fashion - Clean & Unique

Clean & Unique

Fair clothes by small fashion labels and fashion designers

Clean & Unique is a platform for small fashion labels and fashion designers with a common interest in green business. Associated fashion designers and entrepreneurs joined forces and started a pilot membership with Fair Wear Foundation in November 2008. Early 2010, the pilot membership was changed into a membership for affiliates.

The association

The Clean & Unique association was founded in 2008 by Roosmarie Ruigrok. When she was working as a CSR consultant in fashion, she noticed an information need amongst young designers. She organised five information meetings in the Netherlands and started the association for brands and designers who needed more than information. The association was founded in the Netherlands but has an international focus. New members from outside the Netherlands are always welcome.

Objective

The objective of Clean & Unique association is to make it easier for upcoming fashion companies and designers to make fairly produced and environmentally friendly clothing and accessories. All members of Clean & Unique are fashion brands with a sustainable focus. It is very inspiring and helpful to build your own clean & unique businesses next to each other. As all of the members are entrepeneurs with extremely busy calendars, it’s a relieve to help each other by sharing knowledge and experiences.

The sustainability targets

The sustainability targets of the association and its members can be divided in fair labour conditions and sustainable services and materials.

Fair labour conditions
All members want to take care of good labour conditions in our garment production. The Clean & Unique Association has therefore officially signed an agreement with Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) in November 2008. As a collective member we are held responsible for the rights and obligations related to the FWF membership. FWF verifies whether companies comply with the Code of Labour Practices, and provides support and knowledge. FWF treats Clean & Unique members just like all of their regular members.
Read more at Fair Wear Foundation.

Sustainable services and materials
All of the brands that are member of Clean & Unique make use of services and materials that minimize ecological impact whenever is possible and feasible. This general shared principle has not been translated into measurable targets yet, but this is in development. Members can interpret this in their own way, for example by using recycled materials or organic fabrics.

Collective membership

All Clean & Unique members can make use of collective advantages. For instance, fabric purchases to reach minimums and lower the prices. Or exhibiting at fairs to make themselves more visible. And sharing knowledge and a network of suppliers and other valuable contacts. The brands form the association so all C&U activities depend on the demands of the brands themselves.