Sustainability
At KATRI NISKANEN, sustainability is a continuous journey. Each day, we take small but meaningful steps toward a more responsible future. We see responsibility as an integral part of our values, design philosophy, and the lifecycle of every piece we create. We believe that thoughtful design paired with high-quality materials ensures longevity, versatility, and a sense of joy in everyday wear. Here’s how we approach sustainability.
Designing for Longevity
Our designs are timeless, versatile, and created to be the foundation of your wardrobe. Whether it’s a trusted everyday dress or a key piece for special occasions, we want our garments to earn their place in your life through countless wears. Each item is meticulously crafted to ensure it serves as a wardrobe staple and supports your personal style.
Responsible Craftsmanship
We are committed to producing our collections locally in Europe, prioritizing quality, ethics, and sustainability. Most of our woven and jersey garments are crafted in Estonia, knitwear in Lithuania. Shoes are made in Portugal, and printed scarves and tights come from Italy.
Our close proximity to production minimizes unnecessary shipping and allows us to ensure fair working conditions and high-quality standards. We work with small factories known for their expertise, ethical practices, and fair wages, aligning with our Code of Conduct guidelines.
At our Helsinki atelier, we design, test, and refine every piece. Made-to-measure orders, repairs and some of the samples are crafted in-house, ensuring each garment meets our vision of timeless, modern elegance. This hands-on approach reflects our dedication to creating long-lasting, responsibly made designs.
Materials Matter
Materials are at the heart of our design philosophy. High-quality design isn’t just about appearance – it’s about creating pieces that look and feel good for years to come. We choose the best materials for different needs and purposes, ensuring that every fabric we select meets our high standards for both aesthetic appeal and durability.
We prioritize innovative recycled fabrics and strive to source materials with certifications like GRS (Global Recycled Standard), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and BCI (Better Cotton Initiative). However, quality always comes first. If a recycled material doesn’t meet our standards for feel, vibrancy, or long-term wearability, we opt for new fabrics that uphold our commitment to quality.
Our team tests each new material ourselves, ensuring it aligns with our vision of creating functional, high-quality products with long life cycles. We are committed to continually sourcing and testing new, more ecological alternatives, aiming to replace as many materials as possible with sustainable, recycled options, without sacrificing quality or durability.
We minimize fabric waste through careful pattern-making and the use of leftover materials in small items like accessories. Our designer Katri Niskanen follows zero-waste principles in her unique made-to-measure pieces, optimizing fabric usage for each order. In the future, we plan to highlight products made from cutting waste.
Extending the Life of Garments
We believe care is just as important as craftsmanship in ensuring a garment’s longevity. Our easy-care, water-washable materials help customers maintain their pieces with minimal effort. We encourage mindful habits like washing less and ventilating clothes instead of washing after every use to conserve resources and extend the life of the fabric.
To ensure our pieces have a meaningful and enduring life, our Helsinki Store & Atelier offers:
Custom Tailoring: For a truly personalized experience, we provide bespoke tailoring services to create garments uniquely suited to you.
Repair Services: By appointment, we offer repair and customization services for all KATRI NISKANEN items to prolong the life of your favorite pieces.
Care Instructions: Detailed care guidelines are provided on our website, product labels, and in-store to ensure proper garment care.
Additionally, we encourage customers to recycle their garments when they’ve reached the end of their journey. If a garment is no longer usable, we recommend prioritizing reuse for intact and well-maintained items, ensuring they continue serving their original purpose as long as possible. If the item is no longer suitable for its original purpose and cannot be repaired, we recommend delivering it to a textile recycling point. From there, the material can continue its life as raw material for new products.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we sell sample and fashion show pieces, giving them new life in someone else’s wardrobe.
Caring for your clothes isn’t just about maintenance; it’s a way to honor the craftsmanship and design that went into creating them, ensuring they remain beautiful for years to come.
Our Commitment
At KATRI NISKANEN, every garment tells a story of thoughtful design, careful craftsmanship, and a commitment to sustainability. We are continuously evolving to ensure that our creations not only celebrate beauty and function but also respect the planet and its resources.
