Gigue believes in a more sustainable future and feels that it is important for us, as a Belgian fashion house, to play our part. Together with our suppliers and producers, we are committed to a more sustainable approach towards our Gigue collections, season after season. Our motto is: ‘Wear what you believe in’.
With an emphasis on innovative materials and classic styling, we focus on the following 2 aims: production with a low environmental impact and the durability of our collections. The Gigue collections are designed with a slow fashion philosophy in mind and this means that you will be able to wear our classic and high quality pieces for many years to come.
Before starting a new collection we first source our fabrics. At the start of each new fashion season, designer Audrey Wyckmans and the design team start looking for unique, high quality fabrics with a luxurious feel. The fabrics typically used by Gigue also play a key role as part of our sustainability commitment.
For the Spring-Summer 2023 season, we went one step further in our focus on materials, with our sustainability approach in mind. The result? This season, 25% of Gigue designs contain at least 30% of certified sustainable fibres. You will recognise these garments in the Gigue boutiques and our online shop thanks to a unique logo.
The recycled cotton in the Gigue Spring-Summer 2023 collection is made with pima cotton left over from luxury home linen production that's re-spun into yarns. This pure, top-quality source material guarantees a premium end product. You'll find it this season in summer knits, open-knit jumpers, and elegant patterned tops.
The more sustainable viscose variant in our blouses, dresses and tops is made from wood pulp that is sourced from sustainable European forests. This wood pulp is converted into viscose fibre using chemicals in a closed-loop-process.
The production of this more sustainable variant uses up to 50% less energy and water compared to conventional viscose. It also uses purified water to ensure a process that considers the well-being of employees and the environment.
Recycled polyester is made from PET, such as plastic bottles. Those fibres are spun into new yarns. Recycled polyester retains its unique properties as a raw material. It resists shrinkage and holds colours well, an exquisite material for a flowing blouse in a rich colour.
The Gigue collection includes various types of lyocell, from the tough fabric used in our trousers to flowing textiles as used in our dresses. Lyocell is made from wood pulp that is sourced from sustainably managed plantations. The wood pulp-cellulose is converted into fibres using solvents that are 100% biological.
The fabric is produced in a closed system that recycles the water and solvents. The material is kind to the skin and biodegradable. Lyocell has many advantages when used as a material for clothing. It is breathable, absorbent, comfortable, light and yet strong at the same time.
The quilted coats and jackets featured in the summer collection are produced with certified recycled nylon. The nylon is made from 'pre-consumer waste' – scrap from textile production, that’s collected and reprocessed first into fibres, then textile yarns and finally high-quality nylon fabrics. This high-tech material takes on a soft, feminine feel in Gigue's quilted jackets.
Gigue works with established partners who are committed to the supply of high quality and sustainable materials. The materials are accompanied by a technical data sheet as well as certificates for sustainable fabrics. All materials are rigorously tested for quality before putting them into production. This process ensures the durability of every signature look created by Gigue.
Our materials suppliers, from yarn to fabrics, are increasingly choosing to specialise in high quality materials that are more sustainable. Our supply partners provide us with clear and transparent information about their initiatives with regard to sustainable business practices. Take our textile partners from Portugal and Italy for example, who have already won multiple awards for sustainable business practices and product innovation.
Every fabric and every garment is subjected to comprehensive quality checks. This is a thorough process that is part of our mission to create clothing that you can wear for years to come.
First, we make a prototype for each piece in the collection. This prototype is then put on a mannequin or on a fitting model. This gives us the basis for a perfect fit. After all, a garment that fits you properly is a garment that you will want to wear again and again.
All fabrics are tested in-house for shrinkage, tear-resistance and piling. Any fabrics that fail the tests will not be included in the collection
The wear tests start as soon as we have received the collection samples. The garment is worn for 3 consecutive days and subsequently washed and checked by our quality control team. It is then worn and washed a further 2 times. If the results are good, we will put the piece into production. Wear tests teach us a lot about the comfort of a garment and this is also important as far as greater durability is concerned.
Just before the start of the actual production process, we ask for samples in various sizes in the final fabrics. These samples are then tried on mannequins and models to ensure a perfect fit and excellent finishing.
And finally, just before we receive the new collection from our production partners, we receive one last sample so we can check the sizes, colour and finishing one more time.
We develop strong relationships with our production workshops which are also our long-term partners. Together, we are committed to creating high quality collections. Our working relationship is based on mutual respect and we pay a fair price for our products.
We have been working with 82% of our external production partners for more than 10 years. We regularly visit the workshops to further strengthen our relationship. We also have our own production workshop in Tunisia where they manufacture our dresses, skirts and blouses.
We develop strong relationships with our suppliers and producers through long-term partnerships and regular visits to their facilities. Our partners share our values of honesty, trust, respect and responsibility.
Based on these principles, we have drawn up a Code of Conduct for Corporate Social Responsibility and we ask all partners, suppliers and producers to sign this. So far 90% of our partners have signed our Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct covers decent and safe working conditions with themes such as freedom of labour and association, anti-discrimination and a prohibition of child labour, a liveable wage and respecting working hours. In addition to decent working conditions, the Code also includes requirements in the areas of traceability, health and safety of products and environmental responsibility.
We review compliance of this Code of Conduct when we visit our partners. 96% of our external production partners are based in the European Union which has strict employment laws.
We invest in a long life cycle of our Gigue collection through classic design, high quality materials and a rigorous testing process. You can also help to prolong the life of your garments by taking good care of them so that you can enjoy your Gigue looks for a long time.
Washing your garments less frequently is always a good idea. You can simply air your garments outdoors and in the shade to make them smell clean and fresh.
It is better for textile fibres to use laundry detergent without bleaching agents and not to use fabric conditioner (vinegar is a good alternative). The drying method used also makes a difference. Drying your garments on a washing line or flat is gentler than using a drying cabinet.
We love the soft feel of wool. Wool has very specific washing and drying instructions all of its own: wool detergent, wool wash programme (or hand wash) and dry flat are the key words here.
By taking good care of your high-quality clothes, you can keep them looking their best for longer. As part of our sustainability strategy, we collaborate with Nanex, a young Belgian company that develops care products for clothing and shoes. The Eco Fashion Care product assortment includes a stain remover, a refreshing spray that neutralizes odours and a protecting spray that protects against water and stains.
The products are locally produced and made from natural ingredients. By thoughtfully caring about clothing items, you will need to launder them less often which is better for the textile fibres. The innovative Eco Fashion Care range is a great way to take care of your clothes using natural products.
Our commitment to creating sustainable and high quality Gigue collections goes beyond the fashion seasons. The Gigue boutiques also provide a Repair Service so that you can drop off your Gigue looks in the boutique for repairs during the entire life of your garment. Our Gigue boutiques will also be happy to advise you on washing and maintaining your garments.
The online Dressr platform is a dress agency where you can take out a subscription and rent fashion. Dressr focuses on classic, high quality garments that are easy to maintain and durable.
Dressr is all about having fun with fashion and combining this with a sustainable approach. This philosophy ties in with our ambition to maximise the life cycle of our Gigue collections. Thanks to our partnership with Dressr, you can now hire your Gigue pieces via their platform.
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