Ethical & Ζero Waste Fashion
At HEEL we believe that the concepts of sustainability and conscious fashion apply in every stage of the production process, until the final delivery of the garment.
During preparation, the fabric undergoes many treatments, such as dyeing, cutting, sewing, ironing, etc.. From the stage of the raw materials and during processing, the pieces of fabric acquire substances harmful to humans and the environment. In our lab we ensure that all raw materials are washed at high temperatures before the treatment process begins and the final HEEL garments are thoroughly washed with water, without chemical detergents, before being delivered for sale and coming into contact with the skin.
Guided by our fundamental urge to protect the natural environment, which is the source of inspiration for our designs, at HEEL we apply the principles of recycling and reuse in the production process. Having established a separate department that works on redesigning and recycling, we handle the problem of wasting resources and, at the same time, we try to transmit the recycling mindset to the public.
Recycling
Guided by our fundamental urge to protect the natural environment, which is the source of inspiration for our designs, at HEEL we apply the principles of recycling and reuse in the production process. Having established a separate department that works on redesigning and recycling, we handle the problem of wasting resources and, at the same time, we try to transmit the recycling mindset to the public.
During processing, many parts of the fabric are usually cut and discarded. At HEEL we have created a special Zero Waste collection through which we try to eliminate the issue of production residues. The raw material for producing the unique pieces of the Zero Waste collection are unused clothes left over from our past collections (stock) or samples that were eventually not streamed into production. These pieces are combined and redesigned with the help of other unused fabrics and get a second chance in life through the special designs proposed by the HEEL team. An alternative approach is the use of the entire raw material (e.g., pieces of fabric) with no cutting that, with the inspiration of our designers, is used as whole piece with special folding and fasteners.
The Zero Waste collection has been available in our eshop since December 2014 and all the designs created for this series are unique, meaning that a single piece is created, except for a few items that are available in a very limited quantity.
Ethical Sales
The ethical sales approach is based on the term “ethical trade” and focuses on employee rights and working conditions. At HEEL we follow three main axes in order to comply with the principles of Ethical Sales: a) producing locally with respect to employee rights not only in our establishment but also in all cooperating companies b) educating the consumer over sustainable fashion and ethical production c) participating in actions to protect the natural environment and animals.
Local production
HEEL clothes and accessories are designed and produced entirely in Greece. Our production unit is housed in Athens (Kallithea) and cooperates with small local units, all preserving jobs for the last 15 years. We respect our employees and partners, and all our procedures are fully transparent.
Consumer Education
Our communication model is based on informing the consumer about various issues that concern the environment and society in general. We believe that through proper information and transparency the consumer will exercise his purchasing power constructively, not only for his own benefit but also for the benefit of the society and the natural environment.
Active participation and Giving Back
We support efforts that are made honestly, with an ultimate goal to protect animals, nature and biodiversity in general. In addition, from time to time we participate in actions that concern our city, in our effort to improve the quality of life. Stay tuned with our social contribution
