If you haven’t heard of Regatta, it is pretty much one of the biggest outdoor brands of today. So, if you want to take a break from your fashionista city ways and head over to the countryside for some peace and tranquility, this is your brand. From fleeces to thermals they will have you fully kitted out, but is the brand sustainable or making any efforts to be? After all they are an outdoors brand so they should want to preserve the land they encourage to be explored and support the workers that live on it.
“We deeply believe that honesty, courtesy and respect are critical in all the decisions we make wherever that may be – with customer, colleagues and the workers in our factories”
Regatta is part of a 'Honesty Project' that aims to provide ethical practices as well as continuing to review their practices to make sure they are within industry standards. Now in regards to the sustainability of their clothing they don't provide much information. What we do know is that they include some sustainable fabrics such as 'Bamboo' and 'Alpaca Wool'.
As part of their bid to be honest, Regatta are contributors to 'The Microfibre Consortium' which facilitates the textile industry in looking for practical solutions to the minimization of fragment fibers, the impacts of the environment and the life cycle of products. Now what is the big deal with microfibers? Microfibers are tiny particles that cannot be filtered so they end up in our oceans and water systems to be consumed by our sea life and pollute the waters they live in.
Now with a estimated £140 million worth of garments going into landfill every year it is not only vital that brands are thinking about their textiles but the the stock that isn't used. Regatta have not only benefited a charitable cause but they have lowered their landfill contributions with their collaboration with 'New Life'- a charity dedicated to helping disabled children. The scheme works by the brand donating all unused returned stock to be sold by the charity in their stores. Pretty fantastic if you ask me.
Now with a bit more digging I can see that they have a 'Honestly Made' range. Garments are made from 15 plastic bottles which are found in recycling centre's. The process includes the bottles being shredded, melted, forced into a spinneret which creates fibers which can be knitted and woven into a item of clothing. This amazing textile technology should be widely adopted by brands, this could really diminish our plastic waste. One point I will make is that this collection is small, but it is a start. If Regatta really pushed this within their brand this could be revolutionary in the way we create garments. Check out the range here.
It is long known that the conditions within third world factories are less than accommodating. In 2013 at least 1,132 people were killed and more than 2,500 were injured in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka. As a company you can either choose to exploit for profit or build up the communities that help sustain your brand. The Regatta Health Education Programme is a educational scheme aimed at women to educate them on 'health, hygiene, nutrition and finance'. Successful in 6 factories it has helped 10,000 workers who through word of mouth spread their knowledge within their community.
An amazing worthwhile effort, wouldn't you agree? Well it gets better. Not only this but they also have a second programme to help educate children. The safe environment allows youngsters to learn skills that can benefit them later in life, they are also provided with balanced meals to make sure no child goes hungry. With an astonishing 3,000 families life's being improved it is safe to say that Regatta really do have respect for their employees no matter what part they play within the supply chain.
It is very clear that Regatta stick by their mission. Their efforts to help societies and the environment really are a staple to the fashion community. Aims to constantly review their processes show they are willing to adapt to the changing consumer market which is what makes them a market leader in the outdoor garment community.
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