Our Approach

At Acne Studios, we believe good design and responsibility go hand in hand. Founded in Stockholm in 1996, we are guided by Scandinavian values of quality, functionality and honesty — the same values that shape how we think about our impact on people and the planet. We are on a continuous journey to make our products and practices more responsible, and we want to be open about both our progress and the work still ahead.

Designed to Last

The most sustainable garment is one that is worn for years. We design pieces with longevity in mind — considered in their construction, made from carefully chosen materials, and created to stay relevant beyond a single season. By focusing on durability and timelessness, we aim to help our customers buy better and keep their pieces for longer.

Responsible Materials

We are working to increase our use of more responsibly sourced and lower-impact materials across our collections. Our ambitions in this area include:

  • expanding the use of certified and preferred materials;
  • improving traceability across our supply chain;
  • reducing the environmental footprint of the fabrics and processes we rely on.

Responsible Materials

We define preferred materials as qualitative, responsible materials that last — those that are organically grown, recycled, or responsibly sourced to reduce their impact on the planet. Moving our collections to these materials is central to how we make fashion more responsible.

Cotton. Around 90% of the cotton we use is organic — grown without chemical pesticides, supporting healthier soil and ecosystems. We are also beginning to expand into regenerative farming methods that focus on climate and biodiversity.

Wool. Approximately 75% of the wool we use is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which safeguards animal welfare and promotes progressive, responsible land management.

Recycled materials. We are increasing our use of recycled content — including recycled nylon, polyester and down — to reduce our reliance on virgin, fossil-based materials.

Our progress and goal. As of FY 2024/25, 78% of our collection by weight was made from preferred materials, and 92% of our styles contained preferred material content. Our goal is to reach 100% preferred materials across our collection by FY 2026/27, alongside 100% low-impact production processes and full traceability of our supply chain to raw materials by the same year.

Responsible Production

We are committed to upholding high social and ethical standards throughout our supply chain. This means working with partners who share our values on fair labour, safe working conditions and respect for human rights.

Responsible Production

We are committed to upholding high social and ethical standards throughout our supply chain, working only with partners who share our respect for the people who make our products.

Our Supplier Code of Conduct. Every supplier we work with is expected to meet our Code of Conduct, which is built on internationally recognised frameworks — including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and its Due Diligence Guidance for the garment and footwear sector, and the Fair Wear Foundation’s Code of Labour Practices. It sets clear expectations on fair working conditions, safe workplaces, fair wages and the right to worker representation.

Human rights due diligence. We work to ensure fair conditions for the people who make our products, to promote gender equality across our supply chain — particularly around wages and social dialogue — and to strengthen worker voice through training and participation in audits.

How we monitor. We assess and monitor our suppliers through onboarding questionnaires, third-party risk evaluation and scheduled facility audits, supported by management and worker training programmes. Our progress is reviewed externally, including annual sustainability reporting reviewed by KPMG and an annual Brand Performance Check by the Fair Wear Foundation.

Working together. As a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, and through collaboration with other brands who share suppliers, we take part in industry initiatives to identify, prevent and remediate risks — because lasting change in our industry depends on working together.

Reducing Our Footprint

We continue to look for ways to reduce our environmental impact across our operations — from how we make and package our products to how they reach you. Areas of focus include energy use, packaging, and waste reduction.

Reducing Our Footprint

We are working to reduce our environmental impact across everything we make, guided by clear, measurable commitments and honest reporting on our progress.

Climate. We have committed to a 50% absolute reduction in our scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by FY 2030/31, against a FY 2020/21 baseline. Because around 90% of our emissions come from our supply chain — the making and shipping of our products — we work closely with our suppliers to drive this change, supporting the transition to renewable electricity and on-site solar power at partner facilities. As a member of the Swedish Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) since 2019, we are aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway and the goal of reaching net-zero emissions before 2050.

Materials. We are moving our collections to lower-impact materials and processes, with the goal of 100% preferred materials and 100% low-impact production by FY 2026/27. We are also working toward full traceability of our supply chain to raw materials by FY 2026/27, so we understand and can improve the true footprint of what we make.

Packaging and waste. We are committed to circular packaging by FY 2026/27 and to reducing, reusing and recycling across our operations, keeping materials in use and waste to a minimum.

Design for longevity. Durability is a form of sustainability. We are working toward 100% of our collection being designed for longevity by FY 2030/31 — pieces built to be worn, kept and loved for years.

We report on our progress openly, including where we still have work to do. In our most recent reporting, we had reduced total emissions by 22% against our baseline year — meaningful progress, with more ahead.

Extending the Life of Your Pieces

Caring for garments and repairing rather than replacing them is one of the most meaningful ways to reduce waste. Our Product Care guidance helps you keep your Acne Studios pieces looking their best for as long as possible.

Extending the Life of Your Pieces

We believe the life of a garment shouldn’t end when it leaves your wardrobe. Keeping pieces in use for as long as possible — through care, repair and reuse — is one of the most powerful ways to reduce waste, and we’re committed to making that easier for our community.

Repair. A small fix can add years to a well-made piece. We encourage repairing over replacing, and our store teams can advise on the best way to mend and maintain your Acne Studios garments — from denim repairs to replacing hardware and buttons — so your favourites stay with you for longer.

Resale and second life. A garment that no longer suits you may be perfect for someone else. We support giving pieces a second life through resale and pre-loved channels, keeping quality garments in circulation and out of landfill.

Take-back and recycling. Rather than discarding pieces you no longer wear, we encourage responsible recycling. Where available, our take-back initiatives allow you to return worn or unwanted garments so their materials can be reused or recycled, helping to close the loop on the products we make.

Care first. The simplest step of all is thoughtful care. Following the guidance in our Product Care section — washing less, washing cold and storing pieces properly — keeps your garments looking their best and lasting far longer.

Together, these efforts reflect a simple belief: the most sustainable piece is the one that’s already made, worn well and kept in use.

Our Commitment to Progress

Sustainability is not a destination but an ongoing responsibility. We are committed to setting clear goals, measuring our progress honestly, and sharing updates as we move forward. We know there is more to do, and we are dedicated to doing it.

Learn More

For questions about our sustainability work, please visit our Contact Us page.