AWEARNESS
We need to reduce fashion consumption, especially fast fashion, but where do we start?
With better options on the market we can shop more consciously and reduce the negative impact on people and the planet. This is the foundation of Attáge.
Aspect, impact and focus
Our research into the fashion industry has led us reflect on the industry's challenges and how we can contribute to positive change.
CONSUMING ASPECT
Products are mass-produced, often as cheaply as possible. This results in products of poor quality with short lifecycle, encouraging overconsumption – a pattern often associated with "fast fashion".
To counter this, we must produce fewer new products and embrace new ways to enjoy fashion. This requires:
- Smart design that prioritises functionality and timeless appeal.
- Higher product quality to ensure durability and longevity.
- Extended lifecycles through thoughtful care and repair.
When creating new products, we should use the best materials and resources available for the purpose of the product, and continuously review our material choices as new innovations become available.
We believe that the fashion industry needs to meet today's demand for fashion with more thoughtful alternatives that prioritise quality over quantity. Open communication with our customers is key to finding the best way forward – together.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS
The fashion industry has environmental and social impacts that raise important ethical concerns:
- Many workers in the industry face unsafe working conditions, low wages, and health risks.
- The production of materials releases harmful chemicals into the environment, affecting ecosystems and communities.
- The use of animal-derived materials raises questions about animal welfare.
By choosing quality over quantity, we can all contribute to a more thoughtful approach to fashion and take steps towards a more sustainable and ethical future.
VEGAN ASPECT
Finding vegan products that combine premium design, quality and durability was an important part of our motivation for starting Attáge. While researching the vegan leather industry, we were struck by how many products fall into the fast fashion category. Moreover, there is often a troubling lack of transparency regarding the materials used to create these alternatives – and their actual environmental impact. Even brands that use innovative materials and consider environmental impact often fail to provide clear information.
We continue to explore material innovations and new technologies, looking for ways to improve our products and how they are made.
THE FOCUS OF ATTÁGE
We can't change the entire fashion industry overnight, but we can take meaningful steps forward.
At Attáge, our ambition is to contribute to a more conscious approach to fashion through timeless designs, durable products and carefully selected vegan materials. We strive to make thoughtful choices throughout our product development and production.
We aim to select materials that balance quality, durability and consideration for environmental impact, with the goal of creating products designed to last. Our bags are handcrafted in a family-owned factory in Spain, and we work closely with our Spanish production partners to maintain quality and understand how our products are made. Producing our bags in Europe also means that the manufacturing process is subject to applicable EU regulations.
This is Attáge's contribution to a more sustainable fashion industry.
This is a continuous journey, and we are always seeking ways to improve our products, processes and material choices. When selecting suppliers and factories, we consider their environmental practices and working conditions. We aim to work with partners who share our focus on sustainability and ethical responsibility.
CARE
Treat your Attáge product with love to keep it in great shape for years to come.
As part of our slow fashion philosophy, we encourage our customers to repair their Attáge products rather than replace them whenever possible. Our bags are designed with durability in mind, and we aim to extend their useful life through care, touch-ups and repairs when needed.
Our environmental impact
We recognise that every material and production process has an environmental impact. We aim to make thoughtful choices throughout our product development and continuously look for opportunities to improve.
We are committed to transparency and improvement. By 2028, we aim to publish our first sustainability report to better understand and document Attáge's environmental footprint. We see this as an important step towards identifying areas for improvement and establishing future goals.
Attáge business model
Our long-term ambition is to move towards a more circular business model by 2030, exploring ways to extend the life of our products and give materials a new purpose.
Recycling materials into raw resources is a complex process, especially for a small business like ours. We are exploring possible approaches to greater circularity. As a first step, we are considering a second-hand shop and "remake collections" that could give existing products a new life. These initiatives are part of our ongoing work to identify practical steps towards a more circular business model.