Discover WVN Living Here

The Brand Bio

Co-Founders:

Yvette Gaston and Kylie Misa

Established:

2018

Headquarters:

Philippines

Country of Manufacture:

Philippines

WVN Living is a women-owned enterprise that works with artisan communities in the Philippines to co-create handmade modern lifestyle products in the hope of supporting local artisans and sustainable living traditions.

WVN Living co-founders Yvette Gaston and Kylie Misa developed a love story with local craftsmanship that began with a road trip,which led to a small town in La Union, Philippines where they met women weavers. They were greatly moved by the beauty of their products but learned that the weaving tradition in their community was dying. Yvette and Kylie were determined to address this.

What started as a passion project that they crowd funded has developed into a business with a social mission: to contribute to well-being through the sustainability of Filipino artisanal craftsmanship. They have now expanded their reach to other artisan communities in the Philippines. With the changes brought about by the pandemic, WVN Living has stepped into 2021 with a further emphasis that sustainable living traditions, like weaving, means integrating it into our everyday lifestyle.

Ethics and Aesthetics

Highlights from WVN Living's environmental, social, and personal commitments

Environmental Commitments

Environmental Conservation Efforts and Practices

Uses water respectfully and aims to reduce its water consumption
Energy efficiency: takes steps to reduce energy usage, increase energy efficiency and educates its staff on best practices
Collects scrap materials and/or by-products from its own production for outside recycling and/or repurposing

Sustainable Product Design

Considers social and environmental factors during the product design process and development stages
Designs its products to last and withstand many wears over the years

Ethical Sourcing of Raw Materials

Uses natural and/or biodegradable fabrics in its collections and products

Sustainable Marketing and Packaging Materials

Packaging materials are designed to be reused, recycled and/or upcycled
Uses biodegradable and/or compostable packaging and/or marketing materials
Does not include any single-use plastic in its packaging

Animal-friendly, Cruelty-free

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

Ethical and Sustainable Production / Manufacturing

Manufacturing and Production Processes

Factory is local in the Philippines, the Brand's country of origin, reducing its carbon footprint
Sources more than 50% of its raw materials and labour locally from independent suppliers
Provides employment opportunities for marginalised communities through its production
Manufactures its collections and products in limited quantities, avoiding mass production

Waste Management and Recycling

Has taken steps to reduce its manufacturing waste and has targets in place to achieve this
Optimises its design and production to minimise fabric and material waste
Supports the reclamation and recycling of textile materials (fibres and fabrics)

Fur-free

Does not, and has never, used 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
Committed to and has policies/standards in place to ensure responsible labour practices and conditions (e.g. Code of Conduct)
Equal employment: ensures its hiring and employment practices do not, in any way, discriminate
Gender equality: implements a gender equal pay policy
Ensures safe working conditions for all employees
Employees are incentivised to achieve environmental and social progress
Provides training to artisans that are part of its supply chain

Fair Trade Practices

Suppliers pay fairly: ensures that its suppliers pay employees and subcontractors the local minimum and/or living wage

Handcrafted, Artisanal

Products are handcrafted by the Brand's partner artisans or manufacturers
The Brand's handcrafted products provide livelihood for small communities in the Philippines (La Union, Cavite, Isabella and Albay)
Supports the preservation of cultural traditions, skills and techniques through handcrafted production
The Brand works with rural artisan communities in the Philippines to co-create handmade products
The Brand advocates for the sustainability of living traditions, such as weaving

Relevé Fashion in partnership with

share with you the UN Sustainable Development Goals supported by WVN Living

The State of the Art

Take a peek into the world of WVN Living

Discover WVN Living Here

The Brand Bio

Co-Founders:

Yvette Gaston and Kylie Misa

Established:

2018

Headquarters:

Philippines

Country of Manufacture:

Philippines

Ethics and Aesthetics

Highlights from WVN Living's environmental, social, and personal commitments

Environmental Commitments

Environmental Conservation Efforts and Practices

Uses water respectfully and aims to reduce its water consumption
Energy efficiency: takes steps to reduce energy usage, increase energy efficiency and educates its staff on best practices
Collects scrap materials and/or by-products from its own production for outside recycling and/or repurposing

Sustainable Product Design

Considers social and environmental factors during the product design process and development stages
Designs its products to last and withstand many wears over the years

Ethical Sourcing of Raw Materials

Uses natural and/or biodegradable fabrics in its collections and products

Sustainable Marketing and Packaging Materials

Packaging materials are designed to be reused, recycled and/or upcycled
Uses biodegradable and/or compostable packaging and/or marketing materials
Does not include any single-use plastic in its packaging

Animal-friendly, Cruelty-free

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

Ethical and Sustainable Production / Manufacturing

Manufacturing and Production Processes

Factory is local in the Philippines, the Brand's country of origin, reducing its carbon footprint
Sources more than 50% of its raw materials and labour locally from independent suppliers
Provides employment opportunities for marginalised communities through its production
Manufactures its collections and products in limited quantities, avoiding mass production

Waste Management and Recycling

Has taken steps to reduce its manufacturing waste and has targets in place to achieve this
Optimises its design and production to minimise fabric and material waste
Supports the reclamation and recycling of textile materials (fibres and fabrics)

Fur-free

Does not, and has never, used 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
Committed to and has policies/standards in place to ensure responsible labour practices and conditions (e.g. Code of Conduct)
Equal employment: ensures its hiring and employment practices do not, in any way, discriminate
Gender equality: implements a gender equal pay policy
Ensures safe working conditions for all employees
Employees are incentivised to achieve environmental and social progress
Provides training to artisans that are part of its supply chain

Fair Trade Practices

Suppliers pay fairly: ensures that its suppliers pay employees and subcontractors the local minimum and/or living wage

Handcrafted, Artisanal

Products are handcrafted by the Brand's partner artisans or manufacturers
The Brand's handcrafted products provide livelihood for small communities in the Philippines (La Union, Cavite, Isabella and Albay)
Supports the preservation of cultural traditions, skills and techniques through handcrafted production
The Brand works with rural artisan communities in the Philippines to co-create handmade products
The Brand advocates for the sustainability of living traditions, such as weaving