It’s been known for a long time that living or producing sustainably is a choice. But while “sustainability” is one of the buzzwords of the moment, we’ve been committed to not only producing consciously for quite some time—it also taught us a while back to live this way!
I think that once you’re aware of what sustainability truly means, you can apply that concept in a very broad way. It’s no longer about doing, letting things happen, buying, or deciding things unconsciously; instead, it’s about continuing on your path with full awareness and careful consideration.
Ever since the brand’s inception, we’ve been operating with a conscious focus on sustainability—not because we’re following a trend, but simply out of a sense of purpose. Manufacturing the majority of our products in Europe, choosing natural fabrics, opting for sustainable materials, collaborating with certified green partners, and delivering a final product that you’ll enjoy for a long time. This was a choice we made entirely on our own, before we could even jump on any trend.
When we approached We Are Someone—an advertising, marketing, and brand-building agency—last year to work out our company philosophy together, sustainability emerged as one of our core values without us even realizing it…it was simply second nature to us. But when we also received the thesis from our marketing intern last week, it became clear to us that we needed to communicate our standards and values more broadly…so that’s exactly what we’re going to do, right!?
JANICE IS SUSTAINABLE
JANICE stands for sustainability because we apply a sustainable approach from the very first moment of design when we start working on a new collection. There are many ways to work sustainably. For us, this approach arose from two key factors:
- We only have one world—what can we contribute?
- We prioritize quality and don’t want to be part of fast fashion.
Sustainable practices encompass so many aspects, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it clearer to everyone that we must treat the world with care.
We produce the majority of our items close to home; not only does this allow us to maintain better control over the entire process, but it also significantly reduces transportation-related pollution from all goods and products. We partner with companies that recycle, operate in an eco-friendly manner, and provide excellent working conditions for their staff—but we also prioritize quality. Women’s clothing that you can’t just throw away after one wash, but items that last season after season.
The market is increasingly demanding “locally sourced” products, and while all the major brands are struggling, we can make the necessary adjustments locally and have excellent partners who can adapt quickly. That’s how we support our retailers, and how they, in turn, support their customers. This creates a positive chain reaction where we can help one another during difficult times.
STRETCH SILK
If you’re committed to quality and understand the story behind a brand, you also realize that you have to dig a little deeper into your wallet for a sustainable product. My grandmother used to say, “Cheap is expensive”…she’d say that when she took me into town to treat me to something nice. I think that’s when the first seed was planted in me to choose beautiful items that last a long time and to opt for sustainability.
For example, starting this season, we’ve added stretch silk to our collection—a luxurious silk fabric blended with elastane. This means the skirt or blouse not only shows fewer lines but also stretches where needed. Silk can sometimes tear when under tension, but thanks to the elastane in our silk skirts and blouses, that’s no longer a concern! This season, we have these silk items in five colors in our collection. Which color suits you best?
What is it suitable for?
Depending on the twist and thickness, alpaca wool is suitable for various projects. Alpaca wool has a lot of volume, so larger projects tend to sag a bit. You can prevent this by using a finer gauge, which gives your larger knits a firmer structure.
How do I wash alpaca wool?
Just like sheep’s wool, alpaca wool will felt if washed incorrectly. Therefore, always hand-wash your alpaca projects using a liquid wool detergent.
Take a look at our beautiful collection of women’s wool sweaters and cardigans:
DISCOVER HERE
LEATHER OTIS BIKER
The leather Otis biker jacket has become an ICON in our collection—an item that keeps coming back season after season. This women’s leather jacket pairs with everything and adds an edge to your look.
We have this jacket made by a “green” manufacturer that avoids waste and always keeps me informed about exactly what’s right and necessary. Beautiful leather, the best zippers, a stunning finish…and all made in a factory where the staff are treated well. If we want beautiful things, we must also treat the people who make them well.
CONSCIOUS SHOPPING
Once the final product is ready, consumers can shop for JANICE in-store or online. Here, too, we take a sustainable approach, and the choices we’ve made weren’t made lightly—they were carefully considered.
Whereas many large websites follow an endless “returns—thanks—just send everything back and forth for free, time and time again” philosophy and approach, we spent a long time testing and considering what we believed would be the best option. On all major platforms, the return rate is 51%, which means that every second order is returned! So every item is wrapped in plastic, packed, comes with a welcome note or gift, is placed in outer packaging, taped shut, labeled with a shipping label, and shipped…EVERY SECOND package is returned, so half of all online packaging is produced for nothing! Is that pollution, or mass destruction?!
A long time ago, we ran a test: 3 months of free returns, followed by another 3 months where customers had to pay for returns themselves. During the three months of free returns, our orders did increase—that’s true!—but the return rate skyrocketed to a whopping 53%! In the three months that followed, return costs were once again the buyer’s responsibility. The number of orders dropped by 11%, but the return rate fell to a whopping 17%! Instead of half of all the packing and packaging materials we’d had custom-made for free ending up in the trash, now we could discard less than one in five.
More isn’t always better…and that’s why we sincerely hope you understand why we’ve chosen this approach. Shop and order mindfully—not just because it’s so easy to browse, but thoughtfully…because you actually need it.
BABY ALPACA WOOL WOMEN’S SWEATER
The women’s wool sweaters and cardigans in this collection are all made from the softest baby alpaca wool. Why did we choose this type of wool?
Allergic to sheep’s wool?
Then try alpaca wool. Alpaca wool is similar to sheep’s wool but is warmer and naturally free of lanolin, making it hypoallergenic. The fineness of the fibers (16 microns from the first shearing of a baby alpaca to 25 microns from adult animals) ensures that this wool doesn’t feel itchy. This type of wool is therefore ideal for people with a lanolin allergy and for those who are very sensitive to itchy wool (even the most sensitive baby skin).
Properties
Alpaca is naturally lightweight, water-repellent, fire-resistant, and temperature-regulating. The wool is unique due to its semi-hollow fiber. Over thousands of years, alpacas have evolved to protect themselves against extreme temperatures in the Andes Mountains. At altitudes of up to nearly 5,000 meters, it can be extremely cold in the winter and extremely hot in the summer. The lightweight wool adapts to body temperature and has the unique ability to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
OTIS WHITE, SNAKE, OR BLACK
This season, we’re offering the Otis women’s leather jacket in three colors. Black is always a safe bet; if you’re looking for a little edge, go for the snake version… and if you’ve got the guts, go for the white Otis.
We’ve given this leather jacket a snug fit because leather still stretches over time. A leather jacket will always mold to your body and will definitely stretch another half to a full size as you wear it! So always buy a leather jacket when it’s snug. To make the Otis even more comfortable to wear, we’ve added a stretch lining, so you can move just a little more freely in the jacket.
A women’s leather jacket of this quality will give you years of enjoyment. You’re buying this to last for years, which makes it a sustainable purchase.
See if you can extend that sustainability beyond just your purchases. It will give you a new awareness that can be valuable.
Love,
JANICE