Discover Look Mate Here

The Brand Bio

Designers:

Vahan and Vahagn Hovhannisyan

Headquarters:

London, UK

Country of Manufacture:

Armenia

The Look Mate adventure began as two lists made by Vahan and his brother Vahagn in a London coffee shop. One was a list of people they wanted to work with, the other was a list of things they felt passionately about. The fusion of the two created Look Mate.

The aim behind Look Mate has always been to work with aspiring creatives to bring a product that cuts above the rest in delivering a high quality, everyday item. The designs used are by anyone, from furniture designers to visual artists. They are then produced by a father-daughter team in Armenia, in the hometown of Look Mate's founder, Vahan, incorporating quality into the company’s DNA from day one. The socks are tested time and time again until perfection is reached.

Ethics and Aesthetics

Highlights from Look Mate's environmental, social, and personal commitments

Environmental Commitments

Animal-friendly, Cruelty-free

Does not use leather, skins, fur or feathers in any of its collections
Ensures that animal-based materials are from cruelty-free suppliers that track animal welfare
No animal testing: prohibits the testing of products or ingredients on animals
No endangered species: does not use materials or substances from species listed as endangered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Angora-free: does not use angora in its supply chain

Environmental Conservation Efforts and Practices

Uses water respectfully and aims to reduce its water consumption
Uses water systems designed to minimize water consumption and educates its staff on best practices for water conservation
Collects scrap materials and/or by-products from its own production for outside recycling and/or repurposing
Offices, stores, factories etc. are designed and built for environmental conservation and efficiency
Product take-back scheme: takes back preloved products and/or packaging for reuse, recycling or disposal

Ethical Sourcing of Raw Materials

Raw materials originating from nature are sourced from sustainably managed ecosystems
Uses natural and/or biodegradable fabrics in its collections and products
Uses organic materials in its production
Sources materials from accredited programs

Sustainable Marketing and Packaging Materials

Uses environmentally-friendly marketing and packaging materials made from recycled, recyclable, FSC and/or PEFC certified materials

Sustainable Product Design

Considers social and environmental factors during the design process and product development stages
Designs its products to last and withstand many wears over the years
Designs its products to be recycled or reused
Implements product lifecycle management and holistic design solutions

Ethical and Sustainable Production / Manufacturing

Manufacturing and Production Processes

Look Mate's factory is in Armenia, local to its country of origin / business operations, reducing its carbon footprint
More than 50% of Look Mate's sourcing is done with local, independent suppliers
Works with recognized ethical factories
Provides employment opportunities for marginalized communities through its production
Manufactures its collections and products in limited quantities, avoiding mass production
Practices eco-friendly screen printing and dyeing in the development of its fabrics
Has systems in place to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions

Waste Management and Recycling

Has taken steps to reduce its manufacturing waste and has targets in place to achieve this
Optimizes its design and production to minimize fabric and material waste
Supports the reclamation and recycling of textile materials

Fur-free

Does not, and has never, used any and all types of animal fur in its collections or any products
Has made a pledge to prohibit the use of any and all types of animal fur in its collections or any products

Personal and Social Commitments

Good Corporate Governance

Fair pay: All employees and subcontractors are paid the local minimum and/or living wage
Equal employment: ensures its hiring and employment practices do not, in any way, discriminate
Ensures safe working conditions for all employees

Product Safety Assurance

Products are PVC-free
Uses non-toxic dyes for its fabrics and other materials

Fair Trade Practices

Suppliers pay fairly: ensures that its suppliers pay employees ad subcontractors the local minimum and/or living wage
No child or forced labour: supplier/s have policies in place preventing any child and/or forced labour

Charitable, Philanthropic

Has established an official foundation benefitting society and/or the environment
Has formed an official alliance with a philanthropic cause supporting social and/or environmental issues
Has partnered with national and/or international government agencies towards joint environmental and/or social initiatives
Donates a portion of its profits to WWF and Parkinson's Foundation

Relevé Fashion in partnership with

share with you the UN Sustainable Development Goals supported by Look Mate

The State of the Art

Take a peek into the world of Look Mate