TWOTHIRDS' policy is to use the fabrics we have left at the end of the season for the next season in a different piece. The same applies to trimmings and all kinds of smaller items that are used in our clothing. Our mindset is: use what you have, before thinking of something new. This makes our production a little more challenging than it normally would be, but we like being creative with the resources we have to hand. We think this is quite a valuable approach for other parts of life too.
Eco-materials
Less land and water usage, less toxic & climate friendly
The best from nature
For too long, the fashion industry has chosen to overlook the environment and the people who cultivate their clothes from the ground up. But business as usual is not an option for the future. Take cotton: covering 2,8% of global arable land while using 6% of the world´s pesticides and 16% of its insecticides. Historically, it has damaged communities, run smallholder farmers out of business and converted huge bodies of water into deserts. A single cotton shirt is said to require 713 gallons of water to make.
Conventional vs TWOTHIRDS
Luckily, there are alternatives. TWOTHIRDS use a variety of fabrics to omit the use of conventional cotton, such as TENCEL™ lyocell, hemp, linen (or by it’s crop name: flax) and of course organic cotton. These alternatives have different characteristics, which is why we use them for unique purposes. But they all have something in common: they demand less resources than conventional cotton and have less negative environmental impacts, which in turn is better for every element involved. Soils, rivers, waters and air stay clean while communities and their farmers lead healthier, more secure lives.
Quality. Time.
A seismic shift at the start of the 21st century saw clothing production double in just 15 years (2000-2014)! This rise was mirrored by a decrease in the length of time we actually hold onto our clothes. Some countries, like the UK and Germany, now consume more than 1 million tonnes of clothing every year. The phenomenon of fast fashion comes with spectacular numbers. And spectacular social and environmental problems.
We think that the solution to more sustainable fashion lies not simply in using different fabrics, but also comes with longevity.
And longevity is created through timelessness paired with quality. Timelessness is clearly a question of thoughtful design. Quality - on the other hand - is created by taking the right steps when producing clothes: from the quality of the raw material to the production processes to the know-how of our suppliers. We keep production as local and centralised (concentrated in one place) as possible so that we can have full confidence in our clothes and their ability to last.
We work closely with our suppliers in Portugal, France, Italy and Spain. The same ones we have relied on for years, resulting in relationships built on trust and security. By keeping the distances short, the connection to our suppliers is more direct and enhanced by frequent visits. Therefore, we know how our suppliers work and they know how we think. Apart from that, we pay attention to the details. Trimmings, such as zippers and buttons, are a major reason for products to be thrown away. So by using high quality trimmings, we make your products last longer!
Quality
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Sustainability
Recycling and Reusing
Currently one garbage truck of textiles is taken to landfill or incinerated every single second. We believe this is a tragic loss of resources. So, we seized the opportunity to start sourcing unwanted materials from other places. This could be leftovers from production processes, post consumer waste, materials recovered from the environment - especially the ocean - and deadstock. This is a byword for fabrics that have been produced but that fail to sell. Often producers and designers demand a material, and then no longer want to use it. Fashion can be fickle. We are not.
We recognise that a key aspect of material and societal sustainability is the reduced use of resources
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Reduced water usage in production processes
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Quality deadstock fabrics
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Less plastic
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Recycled fishing nets and other waste materials from the environment
This is followed by the creation of fabrics and blends that meet our quality criteria such as recycled nylon, recycled cotton and recycled polyester. Protecting resources and reducing C02 emissions. For example, the production of Econyl, a recycled nylon, emits around 60% less greenhouse gases compared to the production of virgin nylon. Our recycled fabrics also require less water to make than brand new equivalents. On top of it, we proudly support innovative technologies that make a genuine difference!
Fair wages
Close supplier relationships increase transparency
Superior European Quality
Craftmanship made in Europe
The production of TWOTHIRDS clothing is divided in three production steps: the raw material phase, the fabric production phase, and the clothes production phase.
RAW MATERIALS PHASE
The raw materials come from several parts around the globe, including the EU, China, or Argentina. The second and third phases take place exclusively inside the EU.
FABRIC PRODUCTION PHASE
Our fabrics are produced in different countries: Austria, France, Italy, Portugal.
CLOTHES PRODUCTION PHASE
The final manufacturing stages (that is, cutting and sewing) all take place in Portugal.
Our production phase is located in Portugal for good reason: the Northern region of the country has a traditional textile manufacturing industry, known for its high quality and precise craftsmanship.
Additionally, frequent on-site visits enable us to create long-term and trustworthy relationships. We strongly believe that security and fair payments create an environment of trust, which benefits all actors involved in the making of the product. By keeping the final production stage local and centralised we can achieve exactly this, which makes us not only proud but also convinced about the superior quality of TWOTHIRDS clothing.
We are also very happy that the production facilities, where the so-called wet processes take place (such as dying and washing) have on-site wastewater treatment plants, contributing to increased water quality in Northern Portugal. By producing in Portugal we not only ensure that production is made closer to home, but also that it is actually better!
Manufacturing in Europe means security standards in production facilities that lead to improved work health, no unpaid extra hours and no exploitation
Wages and work safety
Payments and safety are two huge issues in the fashion industry - just remember all the horrible stories of collapsing production sites in Bangladesh. Here, committing to producing only in Portugal, Italy, and France means we can be sure that the production facilities are regulated under European standards and are therefore safe.
It’s also very important that our workers receive a living wage, rather than a poorly calculated minimum. This means providing a salary that meets all needs, without worry of monetary shortcomings. In Portugal and France (in Italy there is no official minimum wage), the minimum wage is at least as high as the living wage, which is unfortunately not the case in Bangladesh or India. For more information on minimum and living wages, check wageindicator.org.
No overproduction
Using materials and never wasting anything
Use deadstock from other brands
Pre-order system
Textile overproduction is a huge problem in the fashion industry. It is unknown just how much clothing is produced and not sold every year. Some estimate that in big retail chains, about 10% of the garments are not sold. Enormous amounts of clothes get made only to end up in landfill. This means wasted fabric, dyes, excessive environmental impacts and so on. It‘s a burden on the environment without benefit to anyone. More cynically, some brands reportedly burn excess production to make space for new collections. We think that this is irresponsible behavior and disrespectful not only to the people who can‘t afford clothes, but also to the environment. It shows a lack of appreciation for their own products, which they treat as disposable. We go in a different direction.
Traditional Retail
Machine
Labor
Transport
Brand
Reseller / Distributor
Store
Traditional Retail Price
OUR WAY, WE SELL DIRECTLY TO YOU
Premium Organic Recycled or Upcycled Materials
Local Labor
Local/Regional Transport
Brand
Fair Price with 20% off and no overproduction
You may have noticed that TWOTHIRDS offers pre-ordered clothing in our online store. The reason is simple and sustainable: we can then estimate how many pieces of a specific garment we are going to sell, subsequently ordering exact quantities. This rules out overproduction.
Our pre-order system not only leads to higher resource efficiency and prevents senseless raw material waste, it also literally pays off in the end: creating less waste materials leading to less production costs per produced garment. This system therefore enhances our ability to provide a fair price to our customers while respecting natural resources.
Use what we have
At TWOTHIRDS, we not only produce what is ordered, we also use what we have. In the event that a garment does not sell post-production, we turn the material into something else. Consequently, we never produce deadstock. This is a quantity of product that a company has bought or made but is unable to sell. For example, the fabrics that are ordered by companies but are not turned into a product, become deadstock. There are brands that use the fashion industry´s deadstock to produce their own garments (we are one of them!), but we think it is the best option to never produce any excess stock in the first place.
Quality deadstock fabrics
Sustainability comes from the heart: we want every item of clothing to be cherished, turning the tide on throwaway fashion.
Reducing Production emissions
Low impact materials
Regional manufacturing
Pre-order system
Reducing Internal (office) emissions
Installation of solar panels
Use of an electric vehicle
Research and supplier collaboration
Compensation of remaining emissions
Investing in high standard CO2 offsets to:
Protect biodiversity
Nurture mangrove trees
Taking responsibility for the future
Have you ever heard of externalities? They are impacts caused by goods production that the producer is not held accountable for. In the fashion industry, this can mean air pollution from factories or transport, and water pollution from dyeing (the list goes on...) which has knock-on effects for surrounding environments and communities. While more companies are starting to address these issues, commonly by offsetting emissions, they may be less inclined to prevent the impacts from happening in the first place. Our take? Offsetting can be a part of the plan, but not the only one.
We believe that we can only be sustainable if we leave as little negative trace as possible. So we aim at reducing our own footprint and offsetting what we can’t. Firstly, we team up with research institutes, suppliers and other organisations to improve the sustainability performance of our products. We also support suppliers with investments in renewable energy production. As we want to set a good example in our own offices, we even installed solar panels - producing 60% of our own electricity! Plus, we use an electric vehicle for shooting trips. Reduction matters every step of the way when striving to hit zero.
Climate Neutrality
By zero, we mean zero greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, TWOTHIRDS became Climate Neutral. Whether it’s the low impact materials in our clothing, the pre-order system that stops waste, or through localised production: each aspect of our brand is angled towards a single target. We then compensate for the remaining emissions with externally certified carbon removal projects in a tropical wildlife reserve close to the sea. This is a solution that simultaneously supports water-related ecosystems - for example, mangroves - and their role in taking greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. What could be more fitting for TWOTHIRDS?
Right, nothing.
We like this idea because such ecosystems not only perform exceptionally when it comes to carbon removal but are also biodiversity hotspots. If you want to find out more about the project, check out the dedicated website! In 2021, we offset a total of 3,097.8 tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the project. Enough to cover our entire product (from source to shipping) and office emissions.
