zero waste making
recycling the smallest scraps
made differently with the intention to last a lifetime
Zero Waste Making
Patchwork Perfection
Zero waste making means we keep all of our offcuts and turn them into something new. This means pieces that are big enough to be patchworked together. We did through all of our collection from 2022-now. You can shop our zero waste collection here!
Textile Recycling
We care about the tiny scraps
The smallest scrappy pieces of fabric are recycled with our textile recycling partner ‘Upparel”. We don’t send anything bigger than a post it note to be recycled as those pieces can be instead used for our own zero waste program, circulating our fabrics until its very final stage.
We pay for Gem The Label fabrics to be sent to their facility to be broken down into the fibre state to use for various recycled programs such as for insulation and their 100% post consumer material they create with textile waste called ‘Upex’.
Gem The Label has sent over 50kg of tiny textile waste to apparel for them to recycle since 2022.
Textile Recycling
The Impact
We pay for Gem The Label fabrics to be sent to their facility to be broken down into the fibre state to use for various recycled programs such as for insulation and their 100% post consumer material they create with textile waste called ‘Upex’.
Gem The Label has sent over 50kg of tiny textile waste to apparel for them to recycle since 2022.
Designed To Last
Print and Design
By creating unique pieces that can’t be found anywhere else with exclusive prints and timeless silhouettes or interesting deadstock spruced materials, we aim to create pieces that people want to keep for a long time and eventually once its had its time with its first owner to be resold and retain value. Through the individuality of the pieces that GTL garments have, we don't just design the everyday beige, but something eye-catching to be valued for longer.
Designed To Last
Materials
Using the most high quality materials in order for pieces to have a longer life span. When they do reach their end of life, using natural fibre materials for 95% of all GTL pieces made allows for it to decompose naturally in landfill once it reaches that stage.
Designed To Last
Adjustable
Many of the Gem The Label pieces that we have made since 2022 have had elements where ties can be tightened and loosened, has elastic and generous hems on pants. In every collection we love to create pieces which can be worn to fit you in all different seasons of life we go through, sometimes we aren't always the same size as we were when a piece was first purchased.
Offering pieces which have adjustable elements allow for comfort when wearing and to adjust where needed.
Thoughtful designing= pieces last longer in your wardrobe.
Designed to Last
We Don't Follow Trends
We focus on true inspiration from the world around us and let the art in our prints and deadstock fabric selection do the talking.
Taking from trends can have short term buzz for brands but we prefer to put our time into designing timeless pieces which don't follow trends. This means its more likely to have a special place in your wardrobe and not something to be thrown away after the trend cycle finishes. This is an intentional choice as we strive for sustainable wardrobe pieces.
How can you be circular?
Do your part!
So when we have all of this thought out, what can YOU do to ensure you are doing your part in the circular journey of Gem The Label.
Once pieces are sent off to you, they are yours to love and we rely on the sustainable literacy of the slow fashion world (and our part in that) to help you know how to care for your garments to ensure they are continuing in the circular life cycle as sustainably as possible.
How can you be circular
Launder well and Resell
We make good clothes for you to wear, so wear and love them for as long as you can.
Follow the care instructions, treat them gently and with love to last you as long as they can.
Then its up to you! We count on our consumers to keep our pieces circulating sustainably. Resell, donate or recycle in order for the pieces to continue through their life cycle.
Buy Back Program
Our dream for GTL is to be completely circular and have the ability to buy back pieces in order to resell when possible and recycle when necessary, allowing you to also participate in the circular fashion movement. Its something we are working towards.
Mend and Wear
We are working on bringing the mending to you, creating packs to enable you to mend holes, patch worn pieces and give new life to well loved pieces from GTL. To do this we are working closely with our production team on how we can offer services to equip you and also ones where we can do this for you in house. Instructional videos, mending packs for sale and then in person mending sessions are all big plans we have for the future of GTL.
Driven to Continue Growing
Gem The Label continues to grow and shape our brand on the sustainable values that created it. Making art driven, whimsical fashion pieces which have intentional sustainable ethics behind the whole process of creating. We are listening and learning more and more and as we grow, our initiatives and processes will too. We can’t wait to see where our slow fashion, sustainable making model takes us.