In 1993, Filippa Knutsson, Karin Hellners and Patrik Kihlborg founded the fashion brand Filippa K. Their vision of creating clothes that radiate simplicity and desirability proved to pioneer Scandinavian minimalism. Today, Filippa K stands for a classic, timeless and sustainable wardrobe with a focus on craftsmanship, attention to detail and longevity - the value proposition: to design clothes that last and encourage customers to buy fewer but better garments that they can keep and wear for many years.
In general, there are five pillars that underpin the company's business and drive its approach to sustainability, which we'll look at in more detail below.

Firstly, Filippa K values traceability and transparency, as it allows the company to improve its environmental and societal impact. To date, 29% of garments can be traced back to their country of origin - the brand is working to reach 50% by 2025. In addition, the fashion label is working with Axfoundation and stakeholders such as GS1 Sweden and VirtualRouteZ on a new project: The Fibre Traceability Initiative, which aims to trace the wool in a garment from the farm to the final product using a QR code. This project will enable Filippa K to measure the company's environmental impact more accurately and inform customers about the origin of the garments they buy. Furthermore, the brand shares the suppliers it works with.

The Scandinavian fashion label uses local, certified and recycled materials whenever possible and focuses on durability, longevity and quality of materials. The company aims to create garments that can be worn again and again, reducing the impact of each garment worn. Furthermore, the brand works with its suppliers to source the best materials in terms of comfort, quality and aesthetics. Currently, 48% of all materials used in the design process are recycled, regenerative, certified or innovative - with a target of 80% by 2025. In each collection, Filippa K focuses on the use of animal and plant fibers such as cotton, linen, wool or alpaca, which allows the label to create garments that are high quality and biodegradable. However, the company also uses synthetic fibers such as polyester. In this regard, the organization mentions the various risks associated with their use and assures that it does its best to source manufactured fibers thoughtfully. Filippa K mainly uses synthetic fibres because they contribute to the comfort, quality and durability of the garments. The company also works with various sustainable organizations to develop new material technologies to reduce the need for resources such as water, energy, virgin materials and chemicals.

The label's business model is based on circularity - the idea that a garment's lifecycle doesn't end when it's sold to a customer. The brand is mindful of its choice of materials, opting for recycled and quality materials to guarantee longevity and durability, while ensuring that its timeless and classic pieces can be worn for a long time. In addition, the company supports material innovation and is committed to providing various second life solutions such as resale, repair and recycling. Garments are also given a second chance when customers decide to take them out of their wardrobes - giving rise to Filippa K Resale and Filippa K Collect. Filippa K Resale is an initiative in collaboration with Mai in Sweden, where you can purchase and sell used Filippa K clothes. Filippa K Collect, on the other hand, is a program that was launched in 2015. It allows customers to return used garments - which are then donated or sent for textile recycling - and receive a credit towards their next purchase from Filippa K. The label also provides customers with a guide on how to care for the different garments to help prolong their life.

As the fashion industry in general has a huge impact on the environment, Filippa K is keen to continually reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. With a target of a 50% reduction by 2030 compared to 2020, the company has achieved a 41% reduction between 2022 and 2023, but this is mainly due to a reduction in purchases. The Scandinavian label is also quantifying its emissions and focusing on collecting more data from its suppliers, although this is a difficult task. The information gathered through its traceability initiatives should therefore provide some insight. Besides, Filippa K is working to reduce its impact on biodiversity, water use and pollution, and chemicals.

Filippa K strives for long-term relationships with its suppliers and is in constant contact with them to ensure fair wages and proper working conditions. Currently, the average supplier relationship is seven years, but the label also maintains partnerships that have already lasted more than 20 years. Furthermore, Filippa K has developed a risk assessment to ensure that human rights are respected and protected. The organization's target for 2025 is to visit at least 75% of its Tier 1 suppliers (product and garment manufacturers) per year, with the brand reaching 24% in 2023. Additionally, the brand is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, which works with brands to help garment workers achieve healthy and safe working conditions and fair wages. In 2023, Filippa K also joined The Academy, a Fair Wear pilot initiative that supports organizations to implement Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in their supply chain. This initiative includes learning modules and guidance.