Sustainability
Sustainability is an increasingly important issue in today’s world, and we’ll admit we still have work to do. We believe it’s our responsibility to urgently work towards a sustainable future, which is why we’ve been continually implementing practices to help ensure a healthy planet for generations to come. When our brand launched 17 years ago, the emphasis on sustainable practices wasn’t as prominent as it is today. Nonetheless, we have always valued slow fashion, natural fibers, local production, and fair working conditions. We are constantly exploring ways to further minimize our impact—not only for today, but for the future.
We recognize that tackling these issues is no easy feat. Jenni Kayne has never been just about products—we also believe in building community and championing transparency. That’s where you come in. We ask that you join us on our journey towards becoming a more sustainable brand. Tell us what’s working, what isn’t, and what you want to see more of. After all, we’re all on this planet together.
Actions We're Taking
INVEST IN THE BEST
Pieces designed with care and crafted with the best materials are made to last. Finding your uniform isn’t just about style, it’s about finding what works for your lifestyle and sticking to it, so you waste less and wear more.
BUY ETHICALLY
We take great care to build and maintain relationships with fair factories across the globe. Our shoes are always made in Italy, because true craftsmanship never compromises quality. We work with a women’s cooperative in Peru for our textiles, because we believe in building up and empowering communities of women. And we produce locally when we can, making our candles, ceramics, and basic knits right here in Los Angeles.
LIVE SEASONALLY
When in doubt, turn to the natural world. Shop farmer’s markets, buy what’s in season, and support clean beauty brands that use sustainably grown plants and flowers that are good for you and the planet.
Changes We're Making
FOCUS ON TRANSPARENCY
We’re passionate about taking steps towards being more sustainable and socially responsible. We’ve looked to companies leading the way, like Patagonia, Allbirds, and Eileen Fisher, taking notes, and exploring options of our own. Responsibility begins with awareness and accountability. At the start of 2020, we began implementing a social compliance audit of our factories to confirm that their practices align with the standard code of conduct for ethical trade and labor.
REUSE & RECYCLE
In 2020, we launched our first collection of recycled knits, which consisted of a crewneck, t-shirt, sweatpant, and dress, all of which were made from 100% recycled polyamide (a material that comes from the waste of making other yarns and fabrics), as well as eco-friendly homewares. Every season going forward, we’ll be unveiling a sustainable collection that utilizes recycled materials and fabrics (such as best-selling styles redesigned with undyed yarn), working towards our ultimate goal of making each practice and launch more sustainably-minded than the last.
SMARTER SHIPPING
Designing and implementing sustainable packaging has been an ongoing priority for our team. We’re set to debut new shipping boxes for our shoes. Instead of shipping a shoe box inside of a larger package, our shoe boxes will be shippable themselves. While we continue to develop sustainable shipping boxes for the rest of our collection, we’ve also started using recycled poly bags for each shipment to eliminate single-use plastic in our shipping practices.
IMPACTFUL EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS
Taking a stand for slow fashion means cultivating an environment that supports sustainability. We believe in less-is-more and uniform simplicity, which is why we create quality pieces designed to last. From mule repair events and sweater care workshops to specialized in-store experiences like consultations with experts from the luxury consignment brand The Real Real, we are always thinking of new ways to promote longevity, recycling, and the circular fashion economy.
GIVING BACK
We have relationships with charitable organizations like Baby2Baby, Girls Inc., HEART, and the National Resource Defense Council, and will continue to work with groups we believe are making a difference. For our latest Eco Group collection, we'll be planting a tree with One Tree Planted for every eco-friendly item sold.
From Practices to Products
CRAFTED WITH INTENTION
We believe in working with vendors that share a similar ethos surrounding animal and employee welfare. The down fill in our jackets is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, ensuring that animal welfare is always at top of mind. In addition to holding a certificate of compliance, Oeko-Tex Confidence in Textiles Standard 100 certificate, and The Good Cashmere Standard Registration Certificate, the vendor for our 100% cashmere pieces stands behind the following five principles:
- Freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
- Freedom to express normal patterns of behavior
- Freedom from fear and distress
COZY & CONSCIOUS
We're continuously working to craft pieces where sustainability and style go hand in hand. Made from materials like recycled cashmere, undyed cashmere, and sustainable alpaca, the Eco Group is the product of our continued efforts to create staples that are long-lasting, luxe, and low-impact.
Undyed Cashmere: In our search for sustainable yarns that make uniform necessities better for both your wardrobe and the planet, we landed on undyed cashmere—an eco-friendly alternative to knits that just so happen to work within the neutral color range. The natural color of goat hair is spun directly into the yarn with zero dye, a process that not only uses fewer chemicals, but also saves water, electricity, and CO₂.
Recycled Cashmere: The cashmere in this knit is made from GRS cashmere—Global Recycled Standard is an international product standard that sets requirements for recycled content, chain of custody, social, and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. By using GRS cashmere, our sweaters uphold fair working conditions and combat harmful environmental and chemical impacts. Upcycled cashmere uses fewer chemicals, 80% less electricity, 98% less water, and 90% less CO₂ than non-recycled alternatives.
Sustainable Alpaca: Our sustainable alpaca sweaters are comprised of 30% recycled polyester (pre-consumer material from leftover yarn fibers) and 35% RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) wool, which ensures the welfare of animals and the land they graze on. With a focused sustainable process, each sweater uses fewer chemicals, and saves water, electricity, and CO₂.
Yak: Sourced directly from Tibetan herders, our yak fiber honors the time-tested and socially responsible techniques of farmers with generations of experience. Additionally, our Atlas Turtleneck and Belted Sweater Coat use natural, undyed colors, resulting in a neutral colorway that’s great for your all-season wardrobe and, most importantly, the planet.
