Better Materials

At The Slow Label, responsible design begins with choosing the right materials. The fabrics and fibres we work with determine not only how a garment looks and feels, but also how long it lasts. Because longevity is central to our approach, we prioritise durable materials that can withstand frequent wear and remain part of a wardrobe for years.

When sourcing fabrics, we focus on natural, organic and recycled fibres wherever possible. Materials and finished garments are tested before entering the collection to ensure they meet our standards for quality and durability. Below you will find an overview of the materials we most commonly use across our collections, as well as those we deliberately avoid.

Materials we regularly use

TENCEL™ Lyocell

TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers originate from FSC® and PEFC™ certified wood, a natural, raw and renewable resource. The material is produced using a unique closed loop system, which means waste and water are recycled to more than 99%. The fibers from the fabrics we source are from Lenzing, an Austrian company known for its circular business model as well as its focus on high resource efficiency and low ecological impact.

Recycled Cotton

Recycled cotton prevents textile waste and requires far fewer resources than conventional or organic cotton. Most of our recycled cotton is made from production waste and is recycled directly by our clothing manufacturer in Portugal.

Organic Cotton

The production of organic cotton releases fewer greenhouse gases and uses significantly less water and energy than conventional cotton. The methods used to produce this material ensure that no artificial fertilizers and pesticides need to be used, and soil quality is improved. We only use certified organic cotton that meets all ecological guidelines and criteria for social responsibility.

Organic Linen

Woven from the fibers of the flax plant, organic linen is a natural and renewable material that is known for its durability, strength and breathability. Flax is one of the most sustainable raw materials in the world, as the plant receives no additional irrigation during growth; rainwater is sufficient. We source certified organic linen that is farmed and processed without the use of toxic substances such as pesticides and insecticides.

Belgian Linen™

Belgian Linen™ is renowned for its quality, traceability and authenticity around the globe. Woven from the fibers of the flax plant, linen is a natural and degradable material that is known for its durability, strength and breathability. We source our Belgian linen from a certified carbon-neutral manufacturer that focuses on a zero waste policy – all parts of the flax plant are used while waste selvedge and shearing dust are recycled into insulation materials or paper.

Recycled Cashmere

Recycled cashmere offers the same soft, insulating qualities as virgin cashmere but with a much lower environmental impact. This material is sourced from an Italian manufacturer that follows strict ethical and ecological standards.

Recycled Wool

Recycled wool offers the same qualities as virgin wool at a fraction of the environmental cost. Producing non-organic virgin wool can be resource-intensive as it requires vast amounts of land, water, chemicals and dyes. We use recycled wool in our products to extend the life of wool that has already been produced. 

Raffia

Raffia is a natural, biodegradable and renewable material, which is harvested from the leaves of the raffia palm tree. The raffia palm trees require no pesticides or herbicides to grow and are harvested in a sustainable manner, allowing the branches and leaves to regrow. To create our bags, we source raffia from local farmers in Marrakesh and work with a women's cooperative, which supports young mothers.

Organic Wool

Organic wool is a natural, renewable, biodegradable and durable fiber that originates from farms that put animals and the environment first. We only use organic wool from certified organic animal husbandry. This guarantees that the wool we buy is mulesing-free and that the sheep don't graze land that is treated with toxic chemicals.

Responsible Wool

Responsible wool is a natural, renewable and durable fiber that originates from certified farms with the highest standards for animal welfare, land management and social responsibility. We use certified wool to ensure mulesing-free ranching as well as farming practices that preserve soil health, biodiversity, and native species. The use of responsible wool also guarantees transparency across each stage of the supply chain – from farm to final product.

Conventional Cotton

We never use conventional, non-organic cotton as a main material. However, sometimes - due to lack of sustainable options - we have to use trims made of this fiber. With every production and restock, we do our best to source more sustainable options, such as organic cotton.

ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon

ECONYL® regenerated Nylon uses synthetic waste such as industrial plastic, waste fabric, and fishing nets from oceans, then recycles and regenerates them into a new nylon yarn. This yarn is exactly the same quality as virgin nylon but uses less water during the production process. Compared to similar materials, our ECONYL® regenerated Nylon is twice as resistant to chlorine and sun creams/oils. It also offers UV protection and muscular comfort, while being breathable and pilling resistant.

Materials we don't use 

These are materials we do not use as the main fabrics of our garments, due to environmental or ethical concerns. In some cases, small amounts may still be present in trims or internal components where more responsible alternatives are currently limited.

• Conventional silk
• Conventional wool
• Conventional viscose
• Conventional polyester or polyamide (unless certified recycled, or used in small amounts in trims such as interlinings)
• Cupro
• Bamboo
• Leather

Whenever possible, we replace these materials with recycled, organic or lower-impact alternatives while maintaining the durability and performance required for long-lasting garments.