[Interview] Lyfcycle making a positive difference to the way the clothes are sourced and manufactured

Lyfcycle is a UK-based sustainable apparel supplier that works with both major worldwide companies and start-ups to provide ethical and environmentally responsible sourcing options.

Their aim is to make sustainable fashion accessible to all without affecting the environment. They do so by changing the way clothes are sourced and made, putting sustainability and transparency at the forefront of the fashion industry. Their primary manufacturing hubs are located in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Portugal, & Turkey.

Lyfcycle was established in 2019 by Tony and Adriana, a father-daughter duo, with the goal of making sustainable fashion the norm. And now, together with brother Gianni and the team, the company is driving a sustainable change.

Lyfcycle has divided its core services into 3 categories i.e. bespoke manufacturing, best suited to well-established brands; Lyfcycle Customs™, for smaller quantities or on-demand printing; and QR Traceability, powering transparency in the fashion industry through Lyfcycle mobile app and web traceability platforms.

In our recent interaction with Mr. Gianni Romano, the Director of Lyfcycle, he talks about his company and various practices followed by the company pertaining to traceability and sustainability.

YnFx: What is Lyfcycle all about?

Romano: Since its inception, Lyfcycle has been about making a positive difference to the way that clothing is sourced and manufactured. We’re a sourcing company that is fully committed to the pursuit of a more sustainable future for fashion. We strictly only use natural, organic, and recycled materials in our production and we only work with the best ethically certified manufacturers. Our goal is always to make our products as sustainable as possible, from the base fabric to all of the trims and accessories, every component is carefully selected to minimize the environmental impact of our production. We work closely with all of our partner brands on sustainable sourcing strategy and product development.

YnFx: How does Lyfcycle offer traceability of the Lyfcycle products?

Romano: Many brands are now publishing their list of tier 1 & 2 suppliers, but we wanted to go a step further and show consumers exactly where and how their clothes were made. That’s why all of the products that we manufacture have unique QR codes in the labeling that can be scanned with the Lyfcycle app to reveal the journey of the product, from fiber to finished goods. We take the authenticity and origin of our raw materials extremely seriously which is why we only procure from certified sustainable sources that can be verified. This model requires having an in-depth understanding of the full chain of custody for all of the products we manufacture, which is why we aim to have close working relationships with everyone in our supply chain from textile recyclers to fabric mills & garment factories.

YnFx: What do you think are some of the biggest challenges when it comes to transparency in fashion?

Romano: Historically, brands have been reluctant to publicize the details of their supply chain, partly because it can be a source of competitive advantage. But transparency goes against this conventional wisdom and requires brands to take a leap of faith by sharing that journey with the world. Brands need to look backward in order to identify the organizations involved throughout the supply chain, which relies on building trust with suppliers that brands are making an honest attempt to uncover the life cycle of their products and not exploit better commercial deals. One of the biggest challenges associated with transparency in managing the complexity of dynamic and evolving textile supply chains. The complexity of manufacturing processes can make it extremely difficult to track products and have visibility over the conditions in which they were produced. In order to be transparent, brands need to implement a structured sourcing strategy to manage this complexity. Transparency can be even harder to achieve for smaller brands that lack the resources, power, and influence of larger multinationals.

YnFx: How important do you think consumer awareness is pertaining to sustainability in fashion?

Romano: It’s undeniable that we’ve developed a deeper conscience on social and environmental issues over recent decades that has accelerated the pursuit of sustainability in the industry. Consumers expect and demand more from brands which in turn has driven the rise in popularity of sustainable fashion that we see today. It’s important that consumers continue to be curious and hold brands accountable for their actions if we want to see a continued trend towards sustainability in the industry.

YnFx: How is Lyfcycle making sustainable fashion accessible to the customers?

Romano: Lyfcycle strives to make sustainable fashion commonplace which means creating sustainable collections that don’t harm the planet or your bank account! We’ve recently launched our new blank clothing venture ‘Lyfcycle Customs’ to help make sustainable clothing accessible to smaller companies and start-up brands. The barriers to entry for bespoke manufacturing can be quite high for aspiring eco-conscious brands, so we set out to offer sustainably made blanks at affordable prices and low minimum order quantities. We hope that enabling the next generation of sustainable brands can have a big impact on the future of the industry.

YnFx: What are the future goals of the company?

Romano: We’re committed to continuing our journey towards more sustainable and circular manufacturing methods for all of our products. In sustainability, there is no finish line, only the constant pursuit of greener horizons so we will continue to pioneer traceability in the industry and educate consumers on the benefits of sustainable fashion. Our vision is for Lyfcycle to be recognized globally as a symbol of sustainable manufacturing excellence and trust.