SKIIM’s raison d'etre is to empower the modern woman through bold, effortless and refined clothing with a conscience. Each garment tells the story of our values; quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. In this post we shine a light on our approach to sustainability and share how our values come together to allow us to create beautiful pieces that will last and be loved for generations.
We consider it our responsibility to challenge the sometimes negative narrative (usually based on assumption rather than fact) surrounding the use of leather and suede. At SKIIM we use materials that are as conscientious as they are luxurious. Working closely with sustainable suppliers we source the highest quality leather and suede, responsibly reclaimed from the meat industry.
A natural by-product, using these hides helps to reduce waste and avoids non-biodegradable resources such as polyurethane, PVC or polyester found in most “vegan leather”. We work only with partners who adhere to the standards set by the Leather Working Group and who share our ethical and environmental values. Each is rated on the traceability of their supply chain, their energy and water use, emissions and chemical input of the dyeing process.
As part of our commitment to sustainable choices, around 20% of SKIIM’s collections are made from vegetable-tanned leather. An alternative to more commonly used chemical dyes, (which contain large quantities of pollutants, such as sulphides, and acids) vegetable dyes are less harmful to the planet and also give a more organic feel and higher durability. At the end of their lifespan, the process of natural dyeing means that these garments easily break down or become part of a new cycle.
As we see it, the key to buying more sustainably is to buy smarter. Making a conscious choice to invest in the very best quality you can afford and choosing timeless designs means that each piece in your wardrobe will be worn and treasured for a lifetime.
SKIIM is a sustainable choice in the sense that our pieces stand the test of time, both from a design perspective and also in how well they’re made. Never governed by passing trends, we combat the throw away culture of fashion by creating timeless, transitional pieces that work beautifully across seasons. By designing with integrity, we hope your treasured SKIIM pieces will be worn for years to come, or passed down as coveted wardrobe staples. To increase longevity, we help our customers understand how to protect their leather and suede and offer an in-house repair service to restore well-loved pieces.
We take a holistic approach to sustainability and are working to reduce our environmental impact across the business. Our design team is continually investigating new fabric options in order to keep pace with the best environmental practises. We use sustainable and recyclable materials wherever possible, for example our buttons are made from recycled paper and our zips from organic cotton tape.
For our packaging, we make great efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle, as well as consolidating deliveries and sourcing local raw materials based on the locations of our factories to help reduce our carbon footprint. We minimise our contribution to landfill by reinterpreting, repurposing, and upcycling our old stock and offcuts into new garments and accessories to keep from throwing anything away.
As a modern business, we continue to learn, innovate and build on our sustainability approach. We will always stay curious and ask; where does it come from, who made it and how? Will it last, both in material and design? What’s the environmental and social cost, now and in the future? This way we go more than skin deep, craft with a conscience and move forwards with purpose.
