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INTRODUCTION
On May 5th, IVY OAK celebrated its 8th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards responsible fashion. Over the years, we have steadfastly pursued our vision for a more responsible future, guided by a detailed roadmap towards a more Circular Economy. We are proud of our achievements: from building a holistic 360 °C roadmap to an aesthetic that is becoming stronger and bolder each season for the modern women of today and tomorrow. Our primary goal is to create clothing that not only looks good but also feels good, knowing it has been produced responsibly and aims to serve you as best as possible, while also considering generations to come. We aim to empower our customers to make environmentally conscious choices effortlessly. As we reflect on our accomplishments thus far, we are proud and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
CAROLINE GENTZ, FOUNDER & CEO
In our Spring/Summer 2024 collection, we have intensified our sustainability efforts. The vast majority of the collection features materials sourced from organic, recycled, and low-impact sources.
Additionally, we have further embraced innovative fabrics such as Naia™, which have been well-received by our customers and B2B partners. Naia™ is crafted in a closed-loop production system to minimize carbon footprint and water usage, underscoring our commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
Our utilization of regenerative cotton fibers underscores our commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. By supporting regenerative farming, we not only enhance soil health and biodiversity but also reduce carbon emissions and improve water retention.
This approach aligns with our broader mission to create more environmentally friendly products that positively impact both the planet and the communities involved in our supply chain. However, the biggest challenge we face is the use of blends. We are actively working to develop alternative solutions to better recycle and upcycle these materials, further advancing our sustainability goals.
Through collaborations with organizations such as Amfori BSCI, Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, and Canopy Style Initiative, among others, we continue to embed a responsible mindset across all facets of our operations.
We take great pride in the advancements made with our latest collection, yet we acknowledge that there is still work to be done to fully realize our vision for a more responsible fashion industry. Rest assured, we remain committed to this journey, continuously striving for progress and innovation.
MATERIALS
We carefully select our materials to ensure their longevity. Our design team is always looking for high-quality fabrics that meet our strict standards. Find out more about the materials in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection below.
* Data based on volumes used for shell and linings in S/S 2024 collection
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MATERIALS & INNOVATION
LONGLASTING, LOW-IMPACT & MONO-MATERIAL
When sourcing materials, we meticulously assess factors such as fabric composition, the utilization of low-impact processes, eco-toxicity and the supply chain´s locations. This approach enables us to minimize environmental impact while supporting local economies and communities.
Our teams adhere to thePreferred Material Framework, a comprehensive guideline designed to assist them in selecting fibers with better impact.
For the Spring/Summer 2024 collection we are proud of having used:
• 64% of Preferred Materials Class A "Target"
• 22% of Preferred Materials Class B “Target”
• 3% of Preferred materials Class C "Transition"
• 11% of Preferred materials Class D "Transition"
We used 9% more materials from our Target area than in our A/W23 collection.
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DESIGN FOR RECYCLING
35% OF OUR COLLECTION IS MONO-MATERIAL
We prioritize design with recyclability in mind, recognizing the importance of monomaterial textiles in facilitating end-of-life recycling processes. At IVY OAK, this approach plays a crucial role in our commitment to waste reduction and the advancement of a circular economy.
In one-third of our collection, we have deliberately selected textiles composed of a single fiber type, such as 100% Cotton, Naia™, and Wool.
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FOR A FERTILE LAND AND BIODIVERSITY
REGENERATIVE COTTON DENIM
We are excited to introduce a new addition to our collection: a white denim crafted from regenerative cotton fibers. These fibers align with the principles of theregenagri programme(regenagri — A regenerative agriculture initiative), an initiative dedicated to promoting regenerative agriculture practices. regenagri focuses on enhancing the health of the land and the prosperity of local communities by supporting farms and organizations in transitioning to holistic farming methods. This approach improves soil health and biodiversity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. By incorporating regenerative cotton fibers into our designs, we aim to contribute to the scalability of this innovative approach and support its positive impact on the environment and farming communities.
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MODULAR DESIGN
LONGLASTING AND CUSTOMIZABLE PRODUCTS
Modular design is key in a circular economy because it allows to extensively prolong the lifespan of products through customization and versability of their different parts, while providing various functionalities. An item can then be worn on several occasions and fulfill different aesthetics preferences - all at once.
In this collection we have explored different designs, featuring adjustable long-to-short sleeves, or various belt styles, to empower the woman of today to live their lives, with style.
CIRCULAR DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR LONGEVITY AND TRACEABILITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN
FAIR FACTORIES AND TRACEABILITY
REINFORCING OUR SUPPLIER NETWORK IN EUROPE
Maintaining production within Europe has always been a cornerstone of IVY OAK's ethos. We firmly believe in fostering a supply chain that prioritizes local manufacturing, consistently seeking to expand our network of suppliers closer to our design and retail hubs.
Our commitment to European production is evident in our latest collection, with 100% of our designs originating in Berlin and almost 80% of the collection being manufactured within Europe. This deliberate choice not only supports regional economies but also ensures greater transparency and accountability in our supply chain.
To further enhance transparency, we recently published our supplier information on the Open Supply Hub. This invaluable resource serves as an open-source tool for mapping textile production facilities worldwide, providing a unique identification number to each facility. By making this information publicly accessible, we contribute to the collective effort of promoting supply chain transparency and accountability within the textile, shoe, and clothing industries.
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CLIMATE ACTION
SAMPLE DONATION
An integral aspect of fostering a Circular Economy involves minimizing waste. Within our industry, one challenge lies in reutilizing samples created during the design phase. These play a crucial role in ensuring the aesthetic, fit and quality of our products but cannot be sold as they are works in progress.
At IVY OAK, we have addressed this challenge by donating a significant portion of our sample inventory. Over the past eight years, over the past 8 years, a majority of all samples of all samples accumulated at our warehouse in Berlin have been donated to various associations aligned with humanitarian and feminist causes, including Frauenhaus Caritas (Caritas Women’s Shelter), Ukraine Kindness Project, Elisabethenstiftung (Elisabeth Foundation) and Frauenhaus Bora (Bora Women’s Shelter)
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FOOTPRINT
CO2 COMPENSATION
One milestone coincides with COP28, where significant progress was made in reducing global CO2 emissions. We take pride in being at the forefront of positive change, aligning our efforts with initiatives that drive impactful change on a global scale.
During the second half of 2023, 69,96 tonnes of CO2 were generated by our supply chain: 61,03 tonnes for shipping, 7,19 tonnes for business flights, and 1,74 tonnes for our website. As usual, we worked with Klima Kollekte to offset carbon dioxide emissions for the operations mentioned above and have selected the Bagepalli Biogas Program in India to promote our efforts.
The Bagepalli Biogas Program focuses on providing local families with biogas plants for their domestic kitchens. By switching technology for cooking, these families experience greater benefits: more efficiency, indoor air pollution is reduced creating a healthier environment, and the by-products of the biogas plants also contribute to sustainable agriculture by producing nutrient-rich fertilizer enhancing soil quality.
Importantly, this project has a significant impact on women, who traditionally spend more time working in the kitchen. By supporting the Bagepalli Biogas Program, we are not only addressing environmental concerns but also promoting gender equality and empowerment within these communities.