Transparency

#intro

The story behind the label

When we started Fels, we soon noticed that a garment consists of far more than fabric and a label.

Behind every product there are choices. About materials, production, quality, transport and price. The better we tried to understand that, the more new questions arose.

Where does a fabric actually come from? Who makes a garment? Why does it cost what it costs? And how do you make choices that you will still stand behind in five years’ time?

We don’t have an answer to everything. But we do believe you should be able to see how we arrive at our choices.

#The chain

From thread to wearable

Before a garment hangs in your wardrobe, it has already travelled a long
01

Raw material

Every fabric begins with a raw material. The choices made here affect everything that follows.
02

Fabric

From raw material to material. This is where it is determined how a fabric feels, performs and ages
03

Labels

From brand label to size label. These parts are developed and produced separately too. The choice of material, finish and origin is part of the product as a whole.
04

Printing

From a small logo to a print on the inside or outside of the garment. Here too, technique, material and sustainability play a role.
05

Production

The fabric takes shape. This is where design, craftsmanship and production come together.
06

Finishing

The final checks, details and preparations before a product is ready to be worn.
07

Packaging

How is a product packaged? Which materials do we use, and why?
08

Shipping

From producer to warehouse, and finally to the people who will wear it.
09

In your wardrobe

For us, the story does not end here. A good garment does not prove itself on day one, but after years of wear.

#The Choices

Behind every choice lies a trade-off

How a product comes about is rarely black and white. Behind every choice there are pros and cons. These are a few of the trade-offs that matter to us.

Why?

  • More grip on quality
  • Direct contact with the makers
  • The option to visit the production site
  • Short lines of communication
  • Production by people at a distance from the labour market

The downside

  • Higher production costs
  • Fewer economies of scale
  • A more limited choice of producers

Ultimately we want to make a positive impact outside the Netherlands too. But for us, change begins close to home.

By starting small we can learn, improve, and avoid making products without a clear destination.

  • Higher costs per product
  • Less economy of scale
  • Products can sell out more quickly

During development we research different options and weigh their properties against each other.

No material has only advantages. That is precisely why we think it matters to make those trade-offs visible.

At the moment we are working on:

  • Finding the perfect fit
  • Finding the right partners for Fels.03 and Fels.04

And to these questions we do not yet have a definitive answer:

  • Which fabric is the most sustainable choice?
  • What is the lifespan of recycled fabrics?
  • How can we ultimately give Fels.01 and Fels.02 a second life in the best way?

# The Cost

What is attached to a price tag?

The retail price of Fels.02 is € 155.
Material
10% € 15,70
Production
16% € 24,95
Printing
3% € 4,35
Transport
5% € 7,95
Taxes
21% € 32,55
Packaging
2% € 2,37
Margin
43% € 67,12
What is left in the end?

Of every Fels.02 sold, roughly 43% remains to develop future products, cover costs and build the brand further.

#Closing

Work in progress

This page is never finished. The more we learn, the more there is to share.