“Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
- Gro Harlem Brundtland
OUR FABRIC
Our OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified fabrics don't just look and feel incredible, they also help our planet in the process. Our main fabric is made using ECOYNL®, an Italian-made luxury fabric created from recycled fishing nets and other discarded waste. The incredible thing about ECOYNL® is that it's indefinitely recyclable (a.k.a it can be recycled at the end of its life and its quality isn't reduced in the process, so it stays out of landfill). We also use an organic hemp in our leggings for the gusset area. A natural plant fibre well known for its anti-bacterial and anti-odor properties, it also regenerates the soil as it grows and absorbs more CO2 than any other crop. It is 100% biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.
OUR FACTORY
Based in Porto, in the North of Portugal (a region renowned for it's high-quality manufacturing and responsible labour practices), our factory go a step further and pride themselves on their low-waste manufacturing too. From their small production runs to re-using any off-cuts of fabric, they're passionate about innovating the manufacturing process to reduce their impact, and working with small sustainable brands with this same ethos. Importantly, each worker receives above the minimum living wage in Portugal (as set by the Labor Code) and undertakes normal working hours. And as they're just a short flight away from London, our Founder is able to easily visit during all stages of the manufacturing process. Unlike most businesses, our orders are shipped via truck to London (instead of by air), helping further reduce our carbon footprint.
OUR QUALITY GUARANTEE
Quality is everything to us. Each design goes through numerous rounds of testing to make sure that we're only producing pieces that will last you season after season. Fun fact: when we sample new pieces, before a design can be signed off for production, it undergo's a final 'longevity review' - we think about everything from strengthening seams to double-stitching areas that are prone to wear.
LOVARI CIRCLE - OUR TAKE BACK SCHEME
Good design considers a garments end of life at the point of creation, and thats why we have a take back scheme in place. So, in many (many!) years from now, when you're ready for new Lovari pieces, send us back your old ones so we can recycle them into something new. For doing your part, we'll make sure to send you an exclusive discount too. We'll be honest, we're not 100% sure what we'll upcycle your pieces into right now, but the worlds our oyster! No ocean saving pun intended, or was it..
OUR PACKAGING
Our packaging is intentionally paired back (but it's still pretty cute). We use kraft paper bags (instead of plastic mailers) to send your order to you. They're 100% compostable, recyclable, biodegradable, and they're printed using water-based inks. Inside, you'll find your Lovari pieces carefully wrapped in recycled acid-free tissue paper made from wood pulp, finished with a sticker made from sugarcane. Each item inside is packed in a compostable, biodegradable & recyclable protection bag. Our swing tags are made from 100% recycled and FCS certified card and are finished with a recycled cord.
OUR DESIGN ETHOS
If you're looking for crazy prints and trend-led colours, you're in the wrong place (respectfully). We really mean it when we say we focus on creating truly timeless designs. Our Founder wants to help you build up your activewear capsule wardrobe by creating the core pieces that you'll turn to season after season. Each piece is created with versatility in mind whilst also adding our favourite elements of shapewear to give it an ultra-flattering finish.
THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON:
Although we have various sustainability initiatives in place that we're incredibly proud of as a small business, we believe there is always more we can do. Thats why we've set out a list of objectives that we have committed to meet by the end of 2025.
1. Move our production from Portugal to the London (UK) to minimise our carbon emissions and increase our factory visits & monitoring.
2. Become carbon positive.
3. Find a recycled fabric alternative for the waistband of our Aria Leggings. Prior to launching we really struggled to find a sustainable solution for our sculpting waistband - we're on a mission to find it!
4. Although we're still small and struggle to meet factory "minimum order quantities", we promise that we will continue to order the minimum amount possible, regardless of our growth over the next year.
5. We plan to move to using more bio-based fabrics, including a bio-based elastane.