Sustainability in Fashion Development

Our Approach

A way of working.

A woman shopping for clothes, smiling, holding hangers with various colorful clothing items in a store.
Woman with long red hair wearing a blue crochet sweater, holding a coffee mug with sunglasses and floral design. She is looking down at a table with fabric, paper, and sewing supplies. Behind her, a clothing rack with various shirts and garments hanging.

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world, and the decisions made during product development directly shape its impact.

At MY MD Studio, sustainability isn't an optional add-on or a marketing claim. It's a lens we apply at every stage of development: from material selection and factory sourcing to production planning and waste reduction.

Why sustainable development starts before production

Most brands think about sustainability at the sourcing stage, but by then, many decisions have already been made. The materials specified in a tech pack, the construction methods chosen, the minimum order quantities negotiated, all of these have environmental and social consequences. That's why we integrate sustainable thinking from the very first brief, not as an afterthought.

Person holding a white card with black text reading '100% Organic' in front of clothing items hanging on a rail, including white and patterned garments.

How we apply sustainability across every project

A workspace with sewing and design materials, including color swatches, fabric rolls, buttons, scissors, a laptop, and a person's hands working on a color palette.
A workspace with sewing and design materials, including color swatches, fabric rolls, buttons, scissors, a laptop, and a person's hands working on a color palette.

  • Certified factory sourcing:
    We prioritize manufacturers with GOTS, OEKO-TEX, WRAP, and Fair Trade certifications

  • Conscious material selection:
    We guide brands toward sustainable fabric options including organic, recycled, and low-impact materials

  • Econyl and recycled fibers:
    Particularly for swimwear and activewear collections

  • Local and regional production:
    We explore km-0 sourcing options to reduce transport emissions where viable

  • Waste reduction in development:
    Efficient tech packs reduce sampling rounds and material waste

  • Transparent supply chain:
    We document factory information so brands know exactly where and how their product is made

We guide brands toward factories and materials that meet these internationally recognized standards, and help you understand what each one means for your supply chain.

Certifications We Reference & Support

GOTS

Global Organic Textile Standard, certifies organic fiber processing from field to finished product.

Logo of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) featuring a green circle with a stylized 'GOTS' acronym inside.

Fair Trade

Certifies ethical labor standards, fair wages, and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain.

Close-up of a stylized eye logo with black, blue, lime green, and cyan colors on a black background.

OEKO-TEX

Tests textiles for harmful substances. Ensures materials are safe for people and the environment.

OEKO-TEX logo on a teal background.

WRAP

Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, focuses on lawful, human, and ethical manufacturing.

WRAP logo with a globe in the background and the text 'Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production'.

Sustainable sourcing made accessible

White box labeled 'Sustainable Factory Directory' with a list of product categories and manufacturer information, placed on a light wooden surface.
Browse the Sustainable Factory Directory →

Finding certified, ethical manufacturers shouldn't require months of research. Our Sustainable Factory Directory is a curated guide of vetted certified manufacturers, organized by country and ready to use from day one. Built for brands that want to source responsibly without starting from scratch.

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Finding certified, ethical manufacturers shouldn't require months of research. Our Sustainable Factory Directory is a curated guide of vetted certified manufacturers, organized by country and ready to use from day one. Built for brands that want to source responsibly without starting from scratch. //

Want to build your collection sustainably?

Close-up of beige fabric with a textured woven pattern, draped with soft folds.
Close-up of off-white fabric with a textured pattern.
Close-up of fabric, showing both a soft, grey material and a white, textured lining.
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