INTERVIEW #30 SIZ
Based in: Sesimbra, Portugal
Founded in: end of 2017
Founded by: Raquel and Sofia
Stores: Ship worldwide from the website and a physical showroom in Sesimbra. You can also find our pieces in stores at Lagos-Portugal, New York – USA, Belgium and France
Price range: 7€ - 250€
Why we love them: SIZ are transparent, honest, keen on details and design, simply a brand you don’t want to miss out on. As sustainable fashion lovers and consumers we really feel for Raquel and Sofia and their growing sustainable brand. We’re are so looking forward to keep supporting and following their journey and hoping you will too!
What is SIZ and why did you start?
SIZ is a sustainable, organic and ethical fashion brand, created by twin SISters. We have always loved art in all forms since we were kids, and we are together all the time so it is natural for us to work together. We had already worked for other brands after our degrees in Fashion Design but we felt like we needed to explore a more sustainable approach and we needed to have our own space to be creative. So we knew we had to start something that was ours, to express our ideas and inspire other people. The textile industry is the second most polluting in the world, but we know that alternatives exist such as sustainability. We want to be part of the "new" fashion: slow fashion by providing quality pieces that take into account the planet and the workers.
What is your sustainability profile?
We do as much as we can. Starting with a conscious design, and then with sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, linen, Tencel or deadstock and off-cuts. We produce in small batches or made-to-order and all our packaging, labels, tags etc are sustainable: compostable mailers and shipping labels, organic cotton labels, tags made with 100% t-shirts off-cuts and our pieces are wrapped either in reused paper or in tote bags made in 100% organic cotton.
How and where are the products produced?
Most of them are made in Sesimbra, in an atelier near our studio. A couple of pieces are made in other studios 15 and 30 minutes from ours.
Where do you source the material from?
Portuguese fabric factories or garment factories when we want off-cuts.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Mainly in nature, in the planet and in the past, present and future. When we start thinking about a new collection, we search for inspiration, and for us that means looking at a global issue that we think should draw the attention of the general population and then we mix it with an aesthetic we like. In the past, we’ve addressed climate change, the new nomads, plastic overconsumption and its polluting effect on the ocean, the concerns surrounding glacial melting and now to the deforestation and its consequences due to oil palm plantations. We are always aware of our surroundings, of beautiful flowers, amazing paintings, movies, and songs. All these things can influence our mood board.
What have been and are the major challenges?
One of the biggest ones is, unfortunately, to reach the Portuguese people and to sell here in physical stores. We are trying to overcome that and until then we will continue selling to the rest of Europe and USA that are our best customers. Also, making people understand the differences between fast fashion and slow, ethical and sustainable fashion and why those differences show on the price. We try to show them with our transparency and we believe that one day it will be clear.
What has been the largest gain?
Having each other and meeting new talented people on the way. Also, being able to overcome the difficulties that we came across and most of all, what we learnt from that, and we are always grateful for each of our customers! They are our joy, especially when they give us feedback, it warms our hearts. It is true, small brands have a dance for when they receive an order!
What is “greenwashing” according to you and what can producers and consumers do to avoid it?
For us, greenwashing is one of the worst things you can find these days. It is bad and unfair for the consumer and for the real sustainable brands. We as a small sustainable brand can’t compete with giants that are doing greenwash and some consumers can’t see it as greenwashing. Greenwashing is everything that is made to convince the consumer that a business, a brand or a product is in some way more environmental friendly than they are. And big companies are doing this on purpose because “eco” and “sustainable” are trendy now. There are some people already alerted to this, because greenwash is already talked about, thankfully, even most of them may not understand it fully on the day-to-day. But then you have the small brands doing it too. And maybe they don’t do it on purpose, maybe they are fooling themselves, they just want so badly to join the community of sustainable brands and sustainable lifestyle that they put themselves under the label without doing something real to be that way. They will say they are sustainable but with a quick research on the website or Instagram you don’t see any proof of it (in some cases you’ll see pieces of polyester wrapped in paper). So, brands have to do their work on being as sustainable as they can, but the consumer needs to be aware and ask questions, investigate: Is it sustainable? Why? Is the fabric organic? Tencel? Deadstock? (is it really?) Where is it produced? Who makes the clothes? How much are they paid? The “sustainable brand” sells cheap clothes? Are they 100% transparent on the website? (price breakdown, showing the place where the clothes are made, behind the scenes, the fabrics etc) So, Tap the product and see the details. Probably they are not made of sustainable materials after all… and probably they are made in big productions… So, why labeling themselves as a sustainable brand? We could go on and on in this matter.Transparency is the key to start combating greenwashing.
What would you advise consumers to do who seek to create a sustainable closet and lifestyle?
You must have heard already that the most sustainable piece is the one you already have. That is absolutely true. You can start by seeing what you still use and like and what you don’t. Keep what you truly love and see what is missing. Think well before you do any purchase. Even if you see something with a discount, take as much time as you can to think about it: Do you need it? Will you wear it a lot? Does it go well with other pieces you already have? If this new piece we are talking about is from a sustainable and/or small brand that would be great! Supporting a small business is really good, not only for the producer itself but also for the whole chain that is usually made of small producers as well and you’ll see that you will feel great by owning a special piece and by helping someone and not a big company with no face! Even if that piece cost you a little bit more money. If you thought well before you bought it, then you have a piece that you love and will wear a lot and forever!
Tip: the clothes that you decided (in the beginning) that you no longer like from your wardrobe, give or sell to a friend or donate.