Last Updated on June 4, 2023
It offers stylish and unique designs, which has led to a loyal fanbase of fashion-forward shoppers – but how sustainable is And Other Stories and does it use ethical practises?
The Swedish brand, which is owned by H&M, describe itself as a ‘one-stop styling destination filled with collections from three design ateliers in Stockholm, Los Angeles and Paris.’
After being founded as a beauty brand in 2010, the team behind the brand quickly expanded into clothing, shoes and jewellery too. For more about how the brand works, read this fantastic article from ELLE.
In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at its practises.
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Is And Other Stories ethical?
And Other Stories is part of the H&M group and follow the same practises, which you can read about here.
As a result, it also received a score of 61-70% in the Fashion Transparency Index in 2021. It publishes a clear and detailed list of suppliers in the final stage of production, as well as information about its supplier policies, audits, remediation processes and its policies on forced labour, gender equality and freedom of association.
And Other Stories claims it’s working to improve wage management systems ‘to make sure everybody’s individual skills are taken into account when setting wages.’ It also provides some information about what it’s doing to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the negative impacts COVID-19 might have on their work.
According to Good On You however, the brand provide no evidence that it ensures a living wage across its supply chain. It’s also claimed that And Other Stories’ supply chain isn’t certified by labour standards, which ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights.
Read And Other Stories’ labour rights policy here.
You can also check our sustainability guides for Asos, M&S and more brands.
Is And Other Stories sustainable?
And Other Stories uses some sustainable materials in its lines, such as organic cotton and recycled polyester, but these aren’t used in every garment. The majority of its clothing is unsustainably produced.
And Other Stories works on a fast fashion business model, meaning it offers many new items every week which encourages waste that ends up in landfill. It encourages the rotation of fashion trends and new garments, which in turn encourages the public to always want more. Read which other brands are fast fashion here.
On the plus side, And Other Stories has a policy approved by CanopyStyle to prevent deforestation of ancient and endangered forests in its supply chain.
It’s also notable that while it has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions created from its operations and supply chain, but there’s no evidence it’s on track to meet this.
Read And Other Stories’ sustainability policy here.
READ MORE: Is Ganni Ethical and Sustainable?
And Other Stories Animal Welfare Policy
And Other Stories has a formal animal welfare policy, which is aligned with the international standard of care for animals, Five Freedoms, and it traces some animal products to the first stage of production.
It doesn’t use fur, angora or exotic animal skin, but like many fashion brands, it still uses leather, exotic animal hair and wool from non-mulesed sheep. It also uses down accredited by the Responsible Down Standard.
Wear Next Opinion
Wear Next believes it’s important to highlight the negative and unjust practises taking place in the fashion industry. We believe ethics and sustainability are an important talking point to bring about change and we encourage you to contact fashion brands to demand this.
However we understand that sustainable fashion isn’t accessible for every body due to various factors, such as budget and the ability to find confidence-boosting clothes that fit. We will continue to offer you fashion inspiration and guidance to suit every body and budget, while also highlighting the unjust systems at play in the fashion industry.
Would you still shop at Stories? Let us know in the comments below.
