Sustainability at MELA
We take responsibility.
MELA is a Hindi word meaning “acting together.” Since our founding in 2014, we have been concerned not only with what we produce, but also with how and under what conditions our products are made. Where do our materials come from? Who processes them? And what can partnerships across a global supply chain look like?
That’s why we focus on organically grown cotton, long-term relationships with our production partners, and independent certifications. Our entire product range is certified according to GOTS, Fairtrade Cotton and the Green Button. These standards set specific environmental and social requirements for different stages of our supply chain, with compliance independently verified.
On this page, we show you how we put our values into practice and provide links to further details, so you can explore the topics in greater depth.
What lies behind our seals
Certificates
Our entire product range is GOTS, Fairtrade Cotton, and Green Button certified. In doing so, we do not rely solely on our own standards: the certifications set concrete ecological and social requirements, the compliance of which is independently verified. Learn more about what lies behind these certifications and which criteria they fulfill.
Organic cotton from India
Our cotton is grown in India. That is also where it is spun, dyed, woven or knitted, and finally manufactured. In this way, we consolidate a large part of the textile value chain in one country.
Designed for the circular economy
Materials
Inspired by the Cradle-to-Cradle principle, we consider the end of a product's life from the very beginning. That is why we rely primarily on cotton, avoid mixed fibers wherever possible, and meet the strict chemical requirements of GOTS. We also use cotton for sewing threads, labels, and other details whenever possible.
Partnerships at eye level
Our producers
We work closely with our producers and are jointly committed to fair working conditions. Our collaboration is built on direct exchange and mutual appreciation, complemented by regular, independent audits of the production facilities.
We answer your questions
Sustainable Production
In many regions of India, cotton benefits from favourable climatic conditions: sufficient water during the growing season and warmth for ripening. At the same time, the country has extensive expertise across the entire textile supply chain.
Our cotton is grown in India and processed there too: from spinning and dyeing to weaving or knitting and garment manufacturing. For us, it is important to keep as many stages of textile production as possible in the country where our main raw material originates. That’s why we have been working with production partners in India since our founding, continuously developing our supply chain together.
We believe that high environmental and social standards should not depend on where a product is made.
MELA’s mission is to make fairly and environmentally responsibly produced fashion accessible to as many people as possible. To achieve this, we focus on two collections per year, plan for the long term, and prioritise timeless designs and larger production volumes over numerous small orders.
Short distances between many of our production facilities also help us avoid additional costs. We save where it makes sense: on structures and logistics, not on the social and environmental standards our products are made to meet.
We consciously choose natural fibres: Our products are made from 100% fairly traded organic cotton, a renewable raw material that is breathable, easy to care for and comfortable to wear. Even our sewing threads and labels are made from cotton. This allows us to avoid material blends wherever possible.
Our socks are an exception: To ensure they retain their stretch and fit comfortably, they require a small amount of elastane. For this, we use ROICA™ V550. This stretch fibre was developed with improved circularity in mind and has achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified® Material Health Gold certification.
Take a look at our FAQ section.
Downloads on the topic of sustainability
Discover our commitment to sustainability through the following resources available for download: