RULES
We want things to last, so we build from solid foundations.
The Brave Kid Forever approach to sustainability relies on rigorous rules that are used to assess our products, our processes, and our progress.
We are proud to be part of the OTB Group and you can find out more about the Group’s approach to sustainability here and read the latest OTB sustainability report here.
OUR FOOTPRINT
You can find out more about the steps we are taking and the progress we’ve made here.
OUR PRODUCTS
OTB Group, as a member of The Fashion Pact, is committed to ensuring that, by 2025, at least 25% of the main materials it uses at consolidated level have a lower climate impact. This target aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions along the supply chain by using certified raw materials and/or recycled materials, as well as production processes that reduce consumption of water and chemicals.
In 2023, we developed in-depth guidelines to support our teams and our partners in designing and making lower-impact products. These guidelines, which apply to both fabrics and finished products, outline alternative materials, components, treatments and embellishments that can reduce the overall impact of Brave Kid products. See more about these materials and treatments below.
Our teams are working with these guidelines to increase the proportion of lower-impact materials and products in every collection. As of Spring/Summer 26, 18% of our products were made in alignment with the Responsible Product Guidelines. Watch this space as we grow.
*The calculation took into account the quantity of items that comply with the Brave Kid Guidelines produced during the reference season in relation to the total quantity of items produced.
Our responsible products, which you can find under the tag "Lower Impact" on our website, meet the following criteria:
- At least 50% of the overall product is made using more preferred fibres
- at least 20% recycled fibres for denim
- and the product does not include high-impact treatments or materials.
OUR MATERIALS
The textile industry has a significant impact on the environment and on communities along the entire supply chain. The production and processing of both natural and synthetic fibres and materials consume significant resources and can have negative impacts on the environment and people. To mitigate these impacts, the OTB Group develops strategies to encourage responsible sourcing.
We are committed to developing lower-impact alternatives to our commonly used fabrics, for example, using certified organic or recycled fibres, which reduce the amount of chemicals, water and energy needed to make our products.
Our design and development teams reference the Brave Kid Responsible Products Guidelines to help them make better fabric choices when designing products.
SPOTLIGHT ON COTTON
Cotton is our most used fibre, making up on average over 75%* of the materials in our products. It is soft, versatile and breathable, lending itself to everything from our jersey t-shirts to denim jackets.
The issue is that conventional cotton farming often uses large quantities of chemicals and water, causing soil damage, water stress and harming wildlife.
But there are alternatives, such as:
- Organic cotton is grown using farming techniques that respect nature and significantly reduce chemical inputs, making it healthier for people and planet.
- Regenerative cotton production goes a step further than organic for soil health, using agricultural practices that improve it.
- Recycled cotton uses cotton fibre waste and transforms it into new fabric.
*According to our 2023-2024 material matrix.
OUR CERTIFICATIONS
Building on solid foundations means working with globally recognized and respected certifications, including:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
- Organic Content Standard (OCS)
- Recycled Content Standard (RCS)
- Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
Brave Kid's strategy involves the continuous increase of finished products certified according to the standards listed above, ensuring that every stage of the supply chain – from raw materials to production – complies with the requirements of the standards.
* Brave Kid is GRS, RCS, OCS and RWS certified, Intertek 224037. Only the products which are covered by a valid transaction certificate are GRS, RCS, OCS and RWS certified. We also offer GOTS products (GOTS-14438, Intertek) which are labelled separately.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY GLOSSARY
Sustainability terminology can be quite confusing, so we have created a glossary here to guide our customers!
A
ALTERNATIVE STONE WASH
Our alternative stone wash uses synthetic abrasive spheres or disks to give denim a worn-in, distressed look. It creates this effect with lower resource use and less waste than traditional pumice stone washing.
ABRASIVE DRUM WASH
Like above, this stone-free, lower-impact washing treatment is used to achieve a stone-wash denim effect using a rough textured drum inside a washing machine.
C
CARE LABEL
The small label that is sewn into your garment that tells you what it’s made of and how to look after it. It’s important to keep this label so clothes can be properly cared for throughout their life.
CERTIFIED
Products, materials or processes verified to meet globally recognised environmental and/or social standards.
CIRCULARITY
Strategies and services to extend a product’s life through eco-design, repair, resale, rental, and recycling.
COLOUR FASTNESS
Resistance to colour changes. You don’t want clothing to lose dye in the wash or transfer onto other surfaces. We test our products for colour fastness.
D
DURABILITY
The ability to withstand strain, wear, and damage. We test a selection of our products for durability to ensure they can be worn and re-worn.
L
LASER TREATMENT
Laser-treated denim uses heat from an etching machine to break down denim’s indigo dye to create almost any distress or surface effect. This technique reduces the need for chemicals, water and manual treatments compared to traditional denim washes.
LOWER-IMPACT
Products, ingredients, materials or processes with reduced environmental or social impact.
O
ORGANIC
Organic products and processes don’t use persistent pesticides, fertilizers or artificial chemicals. Organic cotton must adhere to specific standards that prioritise natural and non-toxic processes and substances. Globally recognized certifications for organic cotton include the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Organic Content Standard (OCS).
OZONE TREATMENT
A denim treatment that uses ozone gas to break down denim’s indigo dye to create a bleached effect. It has a lower impact on the environment as it uses less water and chemicals than traditional bleaching treatments.
P
PILLING
The little bobbles that can appear on fabric when it is rubbed together. We test our fabrics for pilling to ensure they retain their appearance even after rubbing, washing and wearing.
PREFERRED FIBRES
Preferred raw materials refer to the definition provided by Textile Exchange, namely “A fibre or raw material that consistently offers reduced impacts and greater benefits for climate, nature, and people compared to the conventional equivalent, through a holistic approach aimed at redefining current production systems.
R
RECYCLABLE
Recycling refers to the definition provided by Textile Exchange, namely "The processing of waste material for the original purpose or for other purposes, excluding energy recovery and reuse."
RECYCLED MATERIALS
Recycled materials refer to the definition provided by Textile Exchange, namely "Material that has been reprocessed from reclaimed material by means of a manufacturing process and made into a final product or into a component for incorporation into a product".
RESPONSIBLE APPROACH
Represents the integrated approach to incorporate sustainability into the business in order to address environmental, social and governance challenges along the entire value chain.
S
SUPPLY CHAIN
The processes and suppliers involved in transforming raw materials into finished products – including harvesting and processing raw materials, manufacturing yarns and fabrics, cutting and sewing, embellishment and distribution.
SUSTAINABILITY
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
T
TREATMENTS
Fabrics, especially denim, go through processes (or treatments), both physical and chemical, to give the fabric a desired look.
U
UPCYCLING
A creative practice which reduces waste by extending the life of existing products and materials.
W
WATER BASED INKS
Pigments that use water as a base substrate, instead of plastisol inks, which are derived from non-renewable fossil fuels. Using water-based pigments to create surface designs reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and makes products easier to recycle at the end of their life.
FOREVER
We make a commitment to the next generation.
PROMISE
We promise to create products that are designed to last.
FAMILY
We celebrate the shared values and the unique perspectives.
