Sustainability
At Helen McAlinden, we believe in being transparent about the challenges faced by our industry and by us as a small business. We acknowledge that clothing production has woven itself into the fabric of global pollution, and we feel a responsibility to sew sustainable practices into our development process. Transparency is our first step on this journey, and we’re committed to sharing our progress and struggles with you along the way.
We know that making clothes will always have an impact on our environment, but we are committed to making improvements throughout all levels of the business, so that our impact may positively add to, rather than take from, the earth. It is our responsibility to work with partners who value sound environmental practices, share our commitment to sustainability, and respect the environment, planet, and people.
We want you to buy thoughtfully and buy less. Our designs prioritise quality and longevity—a Helen McAlinden piece is crafted to last a lifetime, enhancing your wardrobe season after season. We are not driven by trends; instead, we embrace the principles of slow fashion. Classic style, not fast fashion, is in our DNA. We understand that the most sustainable clothing is often what you already own. Our marketing approach discourages impulse buying; instead of adding multiple trend-based items each season, we encourage selecting one special piece that will elevate your look and give your existing favorites a new lease on life.
We strive to use natural, low-impact materials and rescued deadstock in our products. To reduce air miles and support local businesses, we source local fabrics from Ireland, for example, our Magee tweed from Donegal and Baird McNutt linen from Ballymena. Each season, we continue to reduce our use of unsustainable fabrics as part of our effort to become more environmentally friendly. We produce limited quantities of each item, and we upcycle faulty or less desirable pieces when possible, minimizing waste. Every piece has a purpose, so all of our ‘vintage’ stock is available online in the Helen McAlinden outlet section at 50% off.
We’ll keep you updated on our goals, challenges, and progress as we work toward becoming more environmentally friendly. We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas too—what changes are you making to be more environmentally conscious?
