Our sustainable commitments

Our concrete sustainable actions and goals.

You could say that an organisation resembles those who create it: its teams, clients and founders. Today, Sézane reflects the brand we set out to be more than ever because we are officially B Corp certified and Mission-led Company. But what does this mean?

It means that Sézane is closer to becoming the brand we desire to be at our essence. From the choice of production methods, raw materials and working conditions to our environmental footprint and engagement in the community, B-Corp and our Mission-led Company label is the stringent, independent validation of what we stand for.
Guided by a desire to create timeless pieces that respect the planet and its people, ¾ of the materials in our current collections are eco-friendly. Our pieces are certified by 5 of the industry's most reliable certifications: GOTS, Oeko-Tex, FSC, Ecovero, RWS and RMS. Since 2018, Sézane has also raised over 5 million euros for the philanthropic program DEMAIN. On the 21st of every month, 10% of our global sales and 100% of the proceeds from a dedicated design are donated to programs that support access to education and equal opportunities for children worldwide.

So much has been achieved so far, but I know we can go even further in the future. This is just the beginning.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining us on this adventure and helping us write the story of Sézane.

Morgane Sézalory

Concrete actions

  • 01

    3/4 of the materials used in all our collections are eco-friendly

    The proportion of eco-friendly materials in our collections is gradually improving. Organic cotton, certified materials, recycled polyester and vegetable-tanned leather form most of our collections.
    - More than 90% of cotton is organic or recycled
    - More than 85% of viscose comes from sustainably managed forests
    - More than 50% of wool is recycled or RWS certified and 100% mulesing-free
    - More than 80% of leather tanning is done in a responsible way

  • 02

    3/4 of our pieces are certified

    Five labels, among the industry's most credible, certify our collections:
    GOTS to guarantee the organic status of our textiles, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 to confirm the absence of harmful chemical substances, FSC (Licence code FSC-C149941) to ensure that our viscous originates from sustainably managed forests, LENZING ™ ECOVERO ™* to prove that the wood pulp comes from certified eco-responsible and controlled sources via a fully traceable manufacturing process and finally RWS and RMS to guarantee Animal Welfare and correct Land Management.
    *LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are registered trademarks of Lenzing AG.

  • 03

    Mission-led Company & B Corp Certification

    Since 2021, Sézane has been committed to being a mission-led company and is B Corp certified. This certification, recognised worldwide, testifies to the hard work of our teams and partner ateliers. From the choice of production methods, raw materials and working conditions to environmental footprint and engagement in the community. (Download our RSA report for more information)

  • 04

    Not forgetting…

    - 100% of our shipping boxes are now made from recycled cardboard and/or are derived from sustainably-managed forests.
    - 100% of our permanent boutiques are powered by renewable energy (hydroelectric and wind)
    - In a year, we have reduced the carbon footprint of a Sézane garment by up to 20%
    - 100% of our ateliers undergo annual social audits.

Our goal
go even further in our next collections

  • More than 80% eco-friendly materials

    By favouring the most sustainable alternatives in our collections and for every new line, in particular, moving towards regenerative agriculture.

  • Strengthen the traceability of our collections to trace every step in the production chain

    Our traceability is 100% for our tier 1 partners (parts assembling). For tier 2 (manufacture of the final material), 95% and 55% for tier 3 (transformation of raw materials). We aim to achieve 100% for tier 2 and 70% for tier 3.

  • Continue to reduce the carbon footprint of a Sézane garment

    Calculating and auditing our carbon emissions yearly ensures we rigorously reduce our carbon impact. On average, over the last few seasons, we have reduced the average carbon footprint of a Sézane garment by up to 20%.

And as always...

  • 01

    A responsible production model with the absence of intermediaries, flash sales or overproduction. This has been our ideology since the creation of Sézane and we intend to stay true to it for years to come.

  • 02

    100% of our ateliers are audited by independent experts to ensure our code of ethics and the standards that we have selected are respected.

  • 03

    Our Call of the 21st is the day we donate 100% of the proceeds of a solidarity creation and 10% of our daily sales to organisations in favour of fair access to education, culture and chances. 5 million euros has already been raised.

Your questions,
our answers

How do you go about choosing your materials ?

Our choice of materials is based on four main criteria: strength and durability, environmental impact, the quality of the feel and finish, and the impact on the price. These four aspects are considered at each stage of the production process, allowing us to optimise our production practices and create high-quality collections at affordable prices.

Before selecting our materials, we consider their carbon footprint, the amount of waste and pollution they generate, and the water and farmland required for their production. Whenever possible, we pick materials with the lowest environmental impact. Every day, we seek to refine this selection process by choosing materials that are the least harmful to the environment while considering the necessary criteria for creating beautiful collections. Today, our collections have 75% eco-friendly materials, aiming to exceed 80%.

Do you use eco-friendly materials? If so, which ones?

3/4 of our collections are created from eco-friendly materials, and we hope to raise this to 80% in future collections.
When we refer to "environmentally-friendly materials", we are relating to materials that have a minimal impact on the environment: organic cotton (GOTS or OCS certified), linen, Tencel®, FSC and Ecovero® viscose, RWS wool, mohair from farms audited by Mohair South Africa or RMS certified, RAS alpaca, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified silk, recycled materials (GRS or RCS certified), sustainable leather. Here is the composition of our latest collections:
- More than 90% of cotton is organic or recycled
- More than 85% of viscose comes from sustainably managed forests
- More than 50% of wool is recycled or RWS certified and 100% mulesing-free
- More than 80% of leather tanning is done in a responsible way

Should polyester and synthetic fibres be banned?

Synthetic fibres are made from synthesized hydrocarbons such as petroleum or coal. Polyester was invented in the 1940s and is now one of the most commonly used fibres in the textile industry. Unfortunately, synthetic fibres are non-biodegradable and create a great deal of pollution, in particular during washing when microfibers are released into wastewater. When incinerated at the end of their life cycle, these fibres discharge large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere and thus contribute to global warming.

Less than 17% of all materials used by Sézane are of synthetic origin. These materials are only used in certain cases when no suitable alternatives are available. Polyester, for example, lets you create “pleated” finishes, which cannot be achieved with other materials. It also retains heat extremely well, making it perfect for winter items, and boasts wrinkle-resistant qualities, which assist in producing lightweight garments.
Although it is extremely difficult to eliminate these fibres, we do our utmost to reduce the percentage of our raw materials that they represent. We achieve this by replacing them with recycled polyesters, which represent 68% of the polyester used in our collections.

You’ve talked a lot about cotton. Why is it so special?

Cotton is a natural plant fibre. Unfortunately, it’s the most commonly used material in the fashion industry and the most harmful to the environment. Although a natural material, cotton is extremely fragile and requires large amounts of water and pesticides. Moreover, since cotton is produced in tropical regions, greenhouse gas emissions are generated while transporting and transforming it to other parts of the world.

91% of our cotton is organic or recycled, which has the advantage of using fewer pesticides and reducing its environmental impact. Furthermore, 59% of our organic cotton is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified, which guarantees the organic aspect of textiles from harvesting the raw materials to the labelling.

Currently, organic cotton is the best possible substitute for conventional cotton. Other materials, including linen, can also be used, which requires less water and can be produced locally.

What does the GOTS certification guarantee?

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). This is the most reliable independent and international certification to guarantee the organic status of textiles, from the harvesting of raw materials to labelling. It includes environmental and social standards concerning workers’ rights and safety. Oeko-Tex 100. This guarantees that no harmful chemical substances are present in textile products beyond what is permitted under European regulatory requirements.

You can find out more information about the certification on the official GOTS website here

What does the FSC certification guarantee?

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) guarantees that our viscose is derived from sustainably managed forests. We were one of the first brands to acquire this certification for garments made from viscose. You can find more information about the FSC here

What does the RAF certificate guarantee?

The Responsible Animal Standard (RAF) verifies the animal welfare and land management requirements of the animal's fibre and tracks it from farm to finish. It combines the RWS (Responsible Wool Standard), RMS (Responsible Mohair Standard) and RAS (Responsible Alpaca Standard) certifications. You can find more information about the FSC here

What does the Oeko-Tex 100 certification guarantee?

This guarantees that no harmful chemical substances are present in textile products beyond what is permitted under European regulatory requirements. All of our pieces, certified or not, are tested, and chemical-free; the independent certification confirms this. You can find more information about the Oeko-Tex 100 here.

What does the LENZING ™ ECOVERO ™ certification guarantee?

Viscose is obtained from wood pulp from certified, environmentally responsible and controlled sources via a fully traceable manufacturing process.
*LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are registered trademarks of Lenzing AG.

Where do you stand on materials derived from animals?

We don't use any wild or endangered species fur or skins from exotic animals (such as crocodile skin). The hides used by our tanneries come from animals raised for the food industry and whose skin we recycle. We are also very sensitive to animal welfare and only purchase our materials (wools, hides, silk) from the most highly-regarded suppliers who can provide the best possible traceability. 100% of our wool is mulesing-free*, and we also support RWS-certified (Responsible Wool Standard) and RMS-certified (Responsible Mohair Standard) to guarantee Animal Welfare and correct Land Management. 51% of our wool is RWS certified or recycled.

Nevertheless, animal cruelty can arise anytime, regardless of the supply channels. All animal cruelty is unacceptable. We do our utmost to prevent it, but unfortunately, it’s not yet possible to maintain full traceability along the entire production chain. We add ethical and quality-related clauses to our contracts with partners and suppliers to guard against animal cruelty. We’re also committed to increasing our inspections and requiring additional guarantees concerning breeding conditions and the treatment of animals. If we find that animal welfare is being violated, we immediately suspend the use of the animal material in question.

We are carefully looking for alternative materials, but they are often less environmentally friendly as they are created from plastics or experimental methods. We would only use them if we were satisfied with their quality and low carbon footprint.
* mulesing free: mulesing is a surgical operation that is traumatic for the animal. It consists of damaging the skin around the tail of the sheep to prevent certain diseases that affect the health of the sheep and therefore the quality of the wool. Mulesing free guarantees that this practice is not used.

What’s vegetable tanning? Do you use it?

The leather is obtained after a “tanning process,” which involves softening and drying the hides to make them last longer. The most commonly used tanning in the fashion industry is chrome tanning, which unfortunately has a large ecological footprint as it generates a great deal of harmful liquid and solid waste.

A promising alternative to chrome tanning is vegetable tanning, which uses natural tannins extracted from leaves and bark. Vegetable tanning preserves the natural look of leather while minimising chemical pollution. Like other leather, vegetable-tanned leather fades gradually over time but tends to be more vulnerable to wear and tear than chrome-tanned leather. On the other hand, this process requires much more labour than traditional tanning and is consequently more expensive.

All the shoes and leather goods from Sézane’s “Héritage” line are 100% vegetable-tanned. Every year sees an increase in the number of our products that benefit from vegetable tanning (currently 38%), which we use whenever the colour and texture of the item make the process possible. We’re also exploring new vegetable tanning methods (e.g. using rhubarb) to reduce our environmental impact even more.

What are some concrete measures you have taken to make fashion less harmful to the environment?

The past few years have been marked by the growing global awareness of the need to act to protect our planet. This new consciousness has also infiltrated the fashion industry, and at Sézane, we make it a priority. We’ve recruited a team of experts who have devised concrete ways to lessen our environmental impact, including increasing the share of eco-friendly materials we use for our collections (already at 75%) and producing sustainable capsule collections. More than three quarters of our ready-to-wear products are certified by independent organisations (e.g.GOTS, Oeko-Tex, RWS, RMS, LENZING ™ ECOVERO ™* or FSC).

For the following years, we’re accelerating our adoption of new measures, allowing us to reduce our ecological footprint even more. These four commitments are as follows: to increase the percentage of eco-friendly materials and certified pieces, to continuously improve the quality and sustainability of our products, to reduce the carbon footprint of the production and processing of materials, and to innovate and search for new materials.
*LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are registered trademarks of Lenzing AG.

Can a fully sustainable fashion brand actually exist?

It depends on your definition of “sustainability” and the challenges accompanying it: water pollution, CO2 emissions from soils, and using natural resources...unfortunately, there’s no single solution for all these problems. Any kind of production, including that performed by the fashion industry, impacts the planet. Sustainable fashion involves weighing the pros and cons and developing the best solutions. Both conventional and organic cotton are natural materials grown in faraway places where farmland might be better used for food production. Manufacturing synthetic fibres gives rise to waste and releases microplastics when washed.
Artificial fibres such as viscose contribute to deforestation. Leather may be renewable, and simply a by-product of another industry (food), but cattle breeding has a large carbon footprint.

Where are your collections made?

More than two-thirds of our items are made in Europe. Our leather goods are made in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, while our suits, coats, and blouses are manufactured in Eastern Europe.
The remaining third is produced at various sites worldwide, selected according to the respective suppliers' raw materials, production capacity, and expertise. Another important consideration is the level of modernity in the factories, particularly regarding working conditions, which are sometimes better in Asia than in parts of Europe. For example, we have opted to produce some of our items in China to benefit from the country’s know-how and extensive resources in the production of silk garments and for its mastery of certain advanced knitting techniques, which are harder and harder to come by in Europe. Come and discover our Ateliers on our website.

What is the definition of “Made in France”?

An item can legally claim to be “Made in France” as long as its “last substantial transformation” or a large part of its added value (minimum 45%) is completed in France. For example, an item made in France from raw materials produced, spun, woven, and printed abroad can still claim to be of French origin.
The “Made in France” label is only useful if it incorporates as many production steps as possible. In accordance with the Loi AGEC, you now have increased transparency on the countries of the main stages of the production chain of our parts on their product sheet.

Why produce parts of your collection in China?

Today's China is nothing like the image of the country we’ve held for many years. Boasting the world’s second-largest economy, China has developed one of the most modern textile industries on the planet. Of course, not all of its factories are the same. Some are extremely modern, while others are less aligned with European standards. It goes without saying that we work with the first category. But as elsewhere, we regularly monitor and inspect our factories in China (at least once a year) to ensure they provide satisfactory work conditions and deliver the required quality.
Another important fact is that China is one of the world's biggest producers of textiles, particularly cotton and silk, and its distribution channels are extremely well organised.
For all these reasons, Sézane manufactures its silk garments and some of its knits in China whenever our Chinese partners' quality and work conditions make a strong case for our doing so. China offers us high technical expertise like other countries with more recent industrial development. Our suppliers in China sign our Code of Ethics every year, as do all our partners. This includes a clause prohibiting the use of any cotton from the Xinjiang region.

How are the work conditions at the sites of your suppliers?

Sézane has created compulsory specifications, especially for its suppliers. Among other things, these specifications include a code of ethics. We, therefore, do our part in ensuring employees are provided proper conditions concerning work, hygiene, and safety, as well as in prohibiting child labour, forced labour, or illegal employment. The commitment to our Code of Ethics is rigorously renewed each year by each of our partners.
In addition, all of our workshops are audited to check compliance with the standards we have selected (BSCI, SMETA, ICS or WCA audits). The audits are entrusted to independent experts, supervised by two people at Sézane. These audits allow us to guarantee the respect of working conditions (working hours, remuneration, health, safety, etc.) and, it goes without saying, the strictest prohibition of child labour, forced or clandestine labour. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding these practices.

How do you set your prices?

Since our creation, we’ve striven to offer our customers high-quality, affordable-quality items. Our system, which does not rely on intermediaries or distributors, allows us to set the fairest price for our customers while simultaneously rewarding the expertise of our factories and employees. For prices to be truly fair, they must stay the same year. That’s why we don’t run sales or special offers.
However, twice per year, we do present our “Archives,” which feature, in particular, those items from past years that have been returned to us outside the relevant season/collection. At Sézane, our prices have remained unchanged since the beginning, despite an increase in the cost of our raw materials.

What are you doing to make your packaging more sustainable?

The main role of any packaging materials - even pretty ones - is to protect items during transportation. That said, several concrete ways exist to reduce their environmental impact. We use boxes made from recycled materials and paper from sustainably managed forests. These boxes are made in France and are fully recyclable. Whenever possible, we replace our boxes with lighter and more ergonomic envelopes.

Since September 2019, we have been offering our customers the option of removing unnecessary packaging, which has resulted in a reduction of over 60% in our leather goods boxes. We have also introduced reusable polybags to repackage our returns. Since 2022, our polybags have been made exclusively of 100% recycled polyester (vs 75% recycled in 2021). This has saved 2 tonnes of polyester over five months of use. Finally, in 2021, we mechanised our logistics warehouse to optimise our packaging by systematically adapting the height of the parcel to its content to limit the quantity of cardboard and the empty rate. This modernisation has enabled us to significantly reduce the quantity of cardboard used and the empty rate in our parcels (and therefore to optimise their transport). For example, 25% of the carbon emissions linked to the packaging and transport of our parcels were avoided in 2022.

Why do you sometimes run out of stock?

Since opening our doors, we’ve done our best to ensure we never run out of stock. Sometimes, however, it’s inevitable. It takes at least one year to develop a collection, and although we have a system in place for anticipating demand, we can never fully predict if an item will sell out. We’re extremely careful to avoid overstocking, a practice that plagues today’s fashion industry. It’s all about finding and maintaining the right balance, something we’re improving from season to season. We also listen closely to the needs and wishes of our customers and do our best to ensure their favourite items come back in stock as quickly as possible!

How can we make our clothes last for as long as possible?

At Sézane, we believe the secret to sustainable fashion lies in maximising the durability of garments. Our priority is to provide our customers with the highest quality items. We improve our collections every year, optimising (among other things) the raw materials used and the final products' quality. But these improvements are not always enough, and that’s why we’re so intent on helping consumers take care of their clothing. Our online care guide provides detailed instructions on treating and cleaning leather, wool, silk, and viscose. Our team is also happy to answer questions by email (hello@sezane.com). Finally, our ‘Conciergeries’ offer several useful services, including cleaning and repairs.

What should I do with clothes that I no longer wear?

Most old clothes can be given a “second life.” Just like us, you can donate and send your pieces to charitable organisations if they're in good condition. You can always drop them off at Sézane in some of our Apartments if they're somewhat shabby. As part of our ‘Grand Collect’ program, we’ll donate your old clothes to associations that recycle them or sell them in second-hand stores.

What do you do to encourage recycling?

Recycling is one of the keys to reducing the fashion industry's environmental impact. Whenever possible, we also develop solutions to increase the value of these items, working closely with partners that specialise in upcycling. We also encourage donations and regularly donate pieces to charitable organisations.

What’s the DEMAIN project? Where does it stand?

Demain is a charitable program, created in 2018 to promote access to education, culture and equal opportunities. To fund DEMAIN, we launch one new item on the 21st of each month and contribute the full amount of the item’s sales and 10% of the day’s revenue to the project. Demain is proud to have raised more than 5 million euros and have helped 30,000 children through our partner associations. You can find out more on our dedicated website: www.demain-demain.com/en

What’s on offer in your “Conciergeries?”

In our “Conciergeries,” customers can pick up or return their orders...as well as benefit from services designed to make our items last as long as possible, such as customised care instructions and a built-in repair workshop. Our “Conciergeries” give used clothes (Sézane or other brands) a second life by recycling or repairing them so they are again fit for use.

Discover our “Conciergeries:”

La Conciergerie Paris 2ème
3 rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002 Paris.

La Conciergerie Paris 16ème
25 rue de l'Annonciation, 75016 Paris

La Conciergerie Paris 17ème
63 Boulevard des Batignolles, 75008 Paris

La Conciergerie, part of the Octobre Éditions boutique
12 rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002 Paris

La Conciergerie Lille, part of the Sézane Appartement
15 Place Louise de Bettignies, 59800 Lille.

La Conciergerie Bordeaux, part of the Sézane Appartement
1 place Puy Paulin, 33000 Bordeaux

La Conciergerie Aix, part of the Sézane Appartement
5 rue Papassaudi, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

La Conciergerie London, part of the Sézane Appartement
233 Westbourne Grove, W11 2 SE London

Ps : Our New York Appartement does not offer a Concierge service (no order collections or alterations).


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