Our Approach to Sustainability
“Sustainable” is a big word. Most brands use it and explain nothing. Here’s exactly what we mean, what we do, and what we haven’t solved yet.
What we do
Made to order
Most pieces are made after you buy them. We don’t overproduce, so there’s no warehouse of unsold stock waiting to be discounted or thrown away.
Small batches, made in Britain
Everything is made close to home, in quantities we can stand behind.
Silk where it touches you
Our silk jersey is knitted, so it stretches without any elastane or Lycra: the fabric is 100% silk, a protein fibre that biodegrades. It sheds no plastic in the wash. Polyester and nylon do, every time. We source our silk through Pongees, a UK silk specialist.
Cotton where it matters most
On our knickers, the gusset is lined in cotton jersey.
Metal, never plastic
Every hook, ring and slider is 24k gold-plated metal. No plastic hardware, on any piece.
Paper, not plastic
Your order arrives in a paper envelope, wrapped in tissue, inside a cotton dust bag. No bulky boxes. No plastic, anywhere. If you choose the gift option, it comes in a magnetic box with tissue and a bow — because some moments call for a little ceremony.
Made to last
Adjustable fit, simple hand-wash care, and pieces designed to be mixed and re-styled rather than replaced.
What we haven’t solved
Elastic and mesh
Our straps, elastic and mesh are polyamide and elastane, because they need to stretch, hold and recover. Natural rubber alternatives exist, but they’re rare and costly. When a workable one exists, we’ll use it.
The mesh range
Our sheer pieces are mesh by design: light and barely there, and still finished with silk satin gussets and silk-covered elastics. Like everything we make, they’re hand wash only. Silk or mesh is your choice. We’d just rather you made it knowing what each one is.
Repairs
A repair service is on our list. It isn’t ready yet, and we won’t pretend it is.
What we won’t say
We won’t call our lingerie eco-friendly, planet-friendly or guilt-free. Everything made has a footprint. Ours is smaller by design, and we’ll keep telling you exactly where it is.
Questions? info@vivileighlondon.com
