Otrium is committed to the mission that all clothing produced should be worn. While no item or fashion brand can be perfectly 'ethical,' there are many areas where brands can make significant improvements. We want to support fashion companies striving for more responsible fashion and empower consumers to understand what this journey entails.To offer an objective perspective on the responsibility journey of the brands featured on Otrium, we have collaborated with industry rating specialists from Good On You. This partnership makes it easier for our members to find “Ethically rated” items and support brands working to create a better fashion industry. Most brands on our platform are rated by Good On You, and “Ethically rated” items come from those fashion companies with scores of 3/5 (It's a start), 4/5 (Good) or 5/5 (Great). More information about the ratings can be found on undefined. In our Ethical  Conversations series, we’re exploring the approaches of “Ethically rated” brands featured on Otrium. This time, we spoke with Nubikk. The brand’s Operations Manager, Inge, and Marketing Manager, Leontine explained how they try to conduct business in a more responsible way.How did Nubikk’s journey towards a more responsible approach begin?It all started with the founder, Daan Baeten. His reason for finding Nubikk was to create durable premium quality shoes. Around 6 years ago, we started accelerating our responsibility efforts, which was encouraged by one of our biggest clients: the Bijenkorf. They only wanted to work together with shoe brands that were audited and certified by several sustainability labels, like LWG or BSCI. At the time, we also became a member of the Leather Working Group (LWG) and encouraged our suppliers to work with certified leather only. What sustainability initiatives does Nubikk have?At Nubikk, we don't want to pretend to be at the forefront. But by weaving sustainability into our DNA, we are taking steps forward every day. Here are a few of our  initiatives:  1. We work on our supply chainWe produce our entire collection in Europe, mostly in Portugal. Also, our factories all adhere to our Code of Conduct and Business Social Compliance Initiative, ensuring that suppliers adhere to environmentally and socially responsible practices, with a particular focus on improving working conditions and labour rights. Moreover, our main leather suppliers are members of the Leather Working Group (LWG) and meet rigorous standards for responsible sourcing and reduced environmental impact.  2. We offer repair servicesWe strive to deliver perfect products, but damages or defects sometimes occur. In such cases, we try to repair the products through one of our experts. Only if repair isn’t possible do we offer an alternative solution. To extend the life of damaged shoes, for example, we provide our customers with eyelets, laces, and other parts. 3. We give returns a second chanceProducts that are returned or exchanged due to minor imperfections are given a second chance through a local sample sale or an external partner.  How do you involve consumers in sustainability?Something small we do is that we encourage our customers to return broken shoes for repairs, instead of throwing away a shoe because of a minor issue. In 2023 we successfully repaired 470 pairs. Next to this, we also provide informative content about our responsibility efforts on our website to help customers make informed decisions. How is Nubikk different from other shoe brands?Our mission statement, "Lightweight is our luxury standard," emphasises comfort and quality. All our shoes, from high-knee boots to sneakers, are lightweight, comfortable, and made from high-quality materials. We see that customers value this approach via their positive reviews. What is the biggest challenge for Nubikk when it comes to sustainability?The number of returns is a big sustainability challenge. Many consumers order two pairs of shoes and return the ones that don’t fit. To solve this, we try to inform our customers as much as possible. We offer a 3D and virtual try-on tool and an extensive Size Advice tool with a sizing chart and guide on our website. And what are your biggest goals?In addition to complying with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, we are committed to pursuing our own goals. One major objective is to map the environmental footprint of all our products and be able to show where each component is made. Next to this, our aim is to ensure that all our shoes are 100% LWG-certified. What is going well in the fashion industry?Environmental awareness is increasing within larger companies. Scandals often accelerate this trend. Although such scandals can be unfortunate for the brands involved, they do accelerate greater supply chain transparency.  … and what really needs to change?It’s unfortunate that many fast-fashion brands release excessive amounts of clothing each year. The focus should shift to producing timeless, high-quality pieces. Additionally, the volume of returns and their disposal is alarming. Fortunately, several organisations have developed innovative solutions to address the issue of returns. What is the biggest misconception about sustainable clothing?Many people might believe environmentally conscious clothing is boring, but it’s quite the opposite. A company's challenge is to make its responsibility story aesthetically pleasing.  Name a change that a consumer could make to become more environmentally conscious.When choosing shoes, consumers should opt for the ones that suit them and can be worn in many ways. Once the perfect pair is found, proper care is essential to ensure they last longer.

Otrium is committed to the mission that all clothing produced should be worn. While no item or fashion brand can be perfectly 'ethical,' there are many areas where brands can make significant improvements. We want to support fashion companies striving for more responsible fashion and empower consumers to understand what this journey entails.To offer an objective perspective on the responsibility journey of the brands featured on Otrium, we have collaborated with industry rating specialists from Good On You. This partnership makes it easier for our members to find “Ethically rated” items and support brands working to create a better fashion industry. Most brands on our platform are rated by Good On You, and “Ethically rated” items come from those fashion companies with scores of 3/5 (It's a start), 4/5 (Good) or 5/5 (Great). More information about the ratings can be found on undefined. In our Ethical  Conversations series, we’re exploring the approaches of “Ethically rated” brands featured on Otrium. This time, we sat down with Dante6. Evelyne, the brand’s Co-Founder, and Emily, its Product Development & Sustainability Manager, provided insights into their commitment to responsible business practices. What sustainability initiatives does Dante6 have?Responsibility has been formally integrated into Dante6’s brand strategy and values since 2020. The focus on sustainability has only grown over the last few years, due to new regulations and customers' rising demands. At the moment, we are building a Responsibility Roadmap with our strategy consultant, encompassing our vision, mission, and objectives, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some of our key areas of focus are using more responsible materials and improving the working conditions in the value chain. To ensure the protection of workers’ rights and improve environmental conditions in the supply chain, we are a member of Amfori’s Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI). How do you involve consumers in sustainability?We conduct customer surveys regularly, which consistently show that consumers highly value sustainability. Also, our agents report that our wholesale customers appreciate and recognise our commitment to more ethical production. This is a great confirmation, yet for us, responsibility is a concept which is firmly embedded in our brand values. Therefore, at Dante6, we prioritise responsibility in all aspects of our business, without waiting for customer demand first.  How is Dante6 different from other fashion brands?Dante6 distinguishes itself by empowering women with timeless wardrobe essentials that inspire confidence and complement individual style perspectives. We aspire to make luxury accessible while ensuring comfort and self-expression. What is your biggest challenge?In comparison with conventional materials, more ethical options are often more expensive and generally require high minimum order quantities. We advocate for broader access to improved materials and more attainable prices through continued demand and industry collaboration.  Another challenge is (European) legislation. Practical implementation of packaging regulations, for instance, is taking place on a country level, which is difficult to navigate for a brand like ours, which is active in several European countries. And your biggest goals?For our responsibility policy, we've embraced the 17 UN SDGs, of which we picked 6 that are closest to our brand values. We defined 4 key pillars. As the backbone of our Responsible Policy, our focus is to develop a Responsible Materials Strategy and to support our business partners in ensuring the protection of workers’ rights. Next to that, we commit to the improvement of environmental conditions in the value chain and prioritise data analysis to better forecast production and reduce excess stock. Zooming out: what is going well in the fashion industry?One of the positive shifts in the fashion industry is heightened consumer awareness and advocacy. It’s also remarkable to observe the significant movement towards transparency that we have collectively embraced, particularly during COVID-19. Practices that were previously considered impossible are now embraced. For example, there is now much more openness from our suppliers in their communication about production.  … and what really needs to improve?It would help consumers to be more conscious of the work that has been put into a garment before they buy it. We believe a better understanding of the way garments are produced would help a higher valuation of the product. It could change the Take-Make-Waste approach which is so destructive for the planet.  Brands can take the lead in communicating about this, to inspire their customers and increase their understanding. On a European level, we hope that in the next few years, there will be more clarity in policies and that these policies will apply to all countries alike. This will decrease the hassle companies now have to undergo to abide by all the national laws. Lastly, we hope there will be measures to protect European brands from unfair competition of fast fashion concepts like Shein, which don’t care about healthy or fair working conditions for workers and are destroying the market.  Name a change that a consumer could make to become more environmentally conscious.Consumers can make a significant impact by cherishing their clothing, wearing it with care, minimising washing & machine drying, and donating it to charities once they no longer need the items.  It is so simple, yet effective.