Sustainability
The Aim
August Night is committed to creating sustainable and socially responsible accessories through sourcing eco friendly solutions in our manufacturing, fabrics and packaging.
Before I launched August Night in 2021, I wanted to educate myself in Fashion and Textiles impact on the environment. I took part in several online courses that gave me an introduction on what I needed to implement in my brand to reduce my overall environmental impact.
As a small business , this is not always easy, it is a gradual process and we are improving and making changes constantly.
What We Do
August Night accessories are made in small batches and pre-orders to avoid overproduction. From design to manufacture, all of my products are made in Dublin, Ireland within a 10km radius, limiting our carbon footprint. This is slow fashion - we take the time to perfect each design. Quality is not rushed. The goal of August Night is that our products are timeless, not trend driven, so they will see our customer through many years. We take care to add extra secure stitching and reinforcements in areas that can come under stress in order to prolong their longevity. To ensure the long lifespan of each accessory, care instructions are provided on the website explaining the importance of taking care of each piece.
Materials
The aim is to move all materials used in August Night accessories to be produced in an environmentally responsible process, using sustainable fabrics. There is still work to be done but since 2023 I have sourced new mills in Spain, Italy and Netherlands who all have sustainable commitments to textile manufacture.
Currently we use a combination of satins from two suppliers, one is from the Uk and the other from Spain. The new addition of khaki and fuschia satin are both recycled satin polyester.
Black Techno Taffeta is 100% recycled nylon from Italy
Gilded Silver cotton is 100% recycled Pre Consumer cotton
Linen/Cotton mix is sourced from John England in Northern Ireland and made from 55% Irish Linen and 35% cotton, 11% polyamide with Sustainably and Responsibly Made certification.
Recycled Satin is made from 100% recycled polyester fibres and is endorsed by The Global Recycled Standard Scope.
Heavy cotton canvas is sourced from Global Green Solutions, a BCorp certified company that use pre consumer waste cotton, rPET bottles and other recycled fibres as raw materials , diverting it from landfill and incineration.
Cotton canvas for hats is from Spain and is composed of 58% virginal cotton, 26% cotton and 16% recycled pre-consumer cotton.
Zips are YKK and are sourced through a small supplier in North Dublin.
Metal hardware is from a supplier in Czech Republic and magnets are from Germany. All of my suppliers allow small minimums so left over stock and waste is not an issue.
Any fabric remnants that are left over from production are saved for making Frill purses, other small accessories and future projects.
Scraps that are just too small for use have been passed on to local Art colleges, RECREATE and neighbours!
Packaging
Where possible I strive to use recycled or recyclable materials in the packaging used for the products. Your purchases are stuffed with newsprint offcuts and protected by 80% recycled tissue paper from China. An organic, fairtrade cotton dust bag is included with each accessory. All of these pieces are sourced from a small supplier in North Dublin.
Bags are protected in a recyclable and 70% recycled cardboard craft box sourced from a supplier in Europe in small quantities to avoid waste.
Larger boxes are sourced from an Irish supplier and are always recyclable.
To ensure the bags arrive at their destination without damage they are then packaged in a protective mailing bag. These bags are Eco friendly & Recyclable, and are fully Biodegradable when they are put in landfill. They use an additive called "EPI" which means the mailers will break down over 12 to 18 months and leave no chemical or nasty residue. Again, they are sourced from an Irish supplier.
When shipping larger orders , I use pre used large cardboard boxes and paper sellotape.
Local Economy
I work with independent pattern cutters , highly skilled machinists and small manufacturing studios that are in full control of their chosen wage and working environment, all based in Dublin. We work together with a mutual respect and admiration for each other's craft and expertise.
It has always been important to me as a small business to put back into my local economy and support other small Irish businesses. As is evident above, I strive where possible to always use Irish suppliers.