It’s a hard truth that fashion is, by definition, unsustainable, and while we don’t claim to be a “sustainable brand”, we’re committed to doing better wherever we can.
With every season, we take steps to improve across three important pillars: planet, products, and people. Not to tick boxes, but to lead by example. By keeping ourselves in check and making conscious changes collection by collection, we move forward in our responsibility journey.
Across our supply chain, we keep future generations in mind as we commit to minimising our waste and carbon footprint. For what we can’t reduce ourselves, we invest in initiatives and partners that are specialised in conserving biodiversity. Continually re-evaluating and further reducing environmental impact is our top priority.
We use FSC®-certified paper for all Love Stories packaging and labelling, from our shopping bags to the hangtags in our boutiques.Online orders are packaged in recycled paper boxes, cut to the right size for the order to minimise the air shipment. The products are packed in a durable cotton bag, designed for reuse. Additionally, online orders are shipped in FSC®-certified cardboard boxes.
Every webshop return doubles a package’s carbon emissions. Therefore, in 2021, we introduced a detailed return analysis system; customer feedback helps us adjust product descriptions, customer experience and even the product itself. We also invested in customer care support to help find your customised fit and size recommendations, minimising the need to order extra sizes – which ultimately leads to fewer returns.
True love never ends, so we don’t let our goodies go to waste. Love Stories samples and items from previous seasons are available in our Archive Stores in Amsterdam, Cologne, London and Madrid. There you can find one-off samples, unique limited editions, previous-season essentials, all for special prices. Excess pieces are donated to various local charities, and unwearable samples are passed down to textile recycling facilities.
The design process has a big part to play in the environmental impact of creating garments. From the recycled, organic, recyclable and biodegradable qualities of the materials we use, down to the colours, hand-painted prints and finishes we add. These choices all contribute to how durable and sustainable an item is in the long run. Additionally, we provide solutions for ideal care to help customers wear and care for garments in ways that extend their lifespan.
In our Spring/Summer 2020 collection, we started using recycled yarn fabrics in our swimwear styles. In Autumn/Winter 2020 we also rolled this out to the lingerie collection, using recycled yarns in fabrics, lace and elastics. In 2021, we expanded into the ready-to-wear collection, using recycled polyesters as well as certified organic cotton.
Many of our laces and fabrics are custom developed by Love Stories in close collaboration with our suppliers. Besides their durability and sustainability, we hold our materials to high standards in terms of support, softness and refinement, so that every woman feels comfortable and beautiful wearing them.
We limit production to just a few trusted suppliers, with each of whom we have longstanding relationships. We visit our factories frequently: our Tier 1 CMT (cut, make, trim) manufacturers who create the final products, as well as our Tier 2 suppliers that handle the fabrics and hardware, including printing, dyeing and washing units.
Love Stories is an Amfori BSCI member. BSCI helps us monitor our supply chain to ensure suppliers treat their personnel ethically and legally.
GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD
All of the recycled yarns we use are GRS (Global Recycle Standard) certified. GRS is an international, voluntary product standard that pins down requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, a chain of custody, social and ecological practices, and chemical restrictions.
OEKO-TEX® AND REACH
All of our material and component suppliers, as well as our printing and dyeing houses, comply with the REACH standard. REACH is a European Union regulation (1907/2006/EC) restricting the levels of specific chemical substances in all imported goods. These rules are recorded in the Oekoe-Tex® certificates that all Love Stories material suppliers have. Factories are re-audited every year to receive a new certificate.
Every season, we launch a limited edition selection of Upcycled products, using old vintage pieces to make something new. Key fits have included the Lola briefs, Willow slip dress, and Pip cami top.In our Amsterdam House of Love, we’ve introduced a “vintage selection rack” offering unique vintage pieces that combine perfectly with our Whateverwear collections. Showing customers how they can combine the old with the new encourages a more open mindset to vintage clothing.
We design with the future in mind in terms of design, material, and quality, but it’s also up to you as the wearer to take care of your items so that they can last. We provide detailed care advice through our boutiques, website and care labels. Additionally, we’ve created an organic lingerie wash in collaboration with AttireCare, a natural laundry detergent that takes care of your delicates. Also, we kindly recommend our multi-purpose laundry bags to protect your items when washing. Click here to read more about our garment care instructions.
Love Stories was built on a foundation of optimism, challenging societal norms for women, and working together towards a better future. Both locally and globally, we’re dedicated to maintaining healthy relationships with everyone involved in helping build, grow, and share our brand. Through creativity and collaboration, we engage in initiatives that are close to our hearts and the women we wish to support.
Fom the get-go, Love Stories was built on a foundation of optimism — challenging societal norms for women and working together towards a better future. Everything we achieve as a company is accredited to the people who build our brand and make and wear our garments with pride.Both locally and globally, Love Stories is dedicated to maintaining healthy relationships with everyone involved. Powered by creativity and collaboration, Love Stories champions inclusivity and respect, so that everyone in our community feels free and safe to express their most authentic self.
Love Stories is a company ran by women, for women. The Love Stories journey began when founder Marloes Hoedeman wanted to build a brand that countered the over-sexualised status quo of the lingerie industry and instead, create intimates that are comfortable and empower you to express your natural self — celebrating the natural shape of your breasts with our non-wired bralettes.
"Love Stories offers 24 different bra sizes, ranging from size 70 to 85 and from cup A to F."
Every season, we create a colourful mix & match extravaganza of prints and patterns that embrace different silhouettes. Open to playful interpretations and authentic combinations, so that everyone can feel her utmost beautiful and powerful.
Love Stories became a pioneer in wireless bras. Over time, we’ve expanded our size ranges and continue to do so. We currently cater to women up to cup F. Resulting in a size range from cup 70A up to 85F for bralettes, sizes XS up to XXL for briefs, and XS to XL for cover-ups.
In honour of breast cancer awareness month, we join forces every year in October with a cause that is close to our hearts: Pink Ribbon. Previously, we presented a limited-edition pink Love Lace and Wild Rose lingerie set, with proceeds donated to Pink Ribbon for the advancement of breast cancer research and awareness. Stay tuned for this year’s initiative.
If you'd like specific information on our policies, certificates, and way of working, feel free to contact us via: shop@lovestoriesintimates.com.
