We create our own fully transparent ethical and sustainable supply chain. By sourcing everything ourselves, every step is traceable to the details and we are accountable for every choice we make.
Rather than through outsourcing enterprises, we work directly with our partner traditional artisans whereby certifications are generally unaffordable and thus uncommon. We therefore set the standards ourselves and create a transparent supply chain to make sure that every step is traceable and responsible.
This ensures that our materials are environmentally-responsible and sustainably sourced, and ultimately minimising our footprints as low as possible; that we are trading ethically and fairly support the artisans’ communities; and that our products are lovingly handcrafted and sustainably packaged until its delivered to our customers.
Our goal is to create a range of fairly priced products, without asking our customers to take on the responsibility of being an ethical brand. It is after all about breaking the stigma that quality doesn’t need to be attained at the expense of the environment.
Ethically Made and Fair Trade
Our artisans are their own independent entities and are not in our payroll. They are in charge of setting their own prices. Nevertheless, as an ethical brand we make it our responsibility to thoroughly comply with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Standards which include freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation; and to ensure everyone involved in our operation is fairly remunerated.
We do bi-annual visits during to ensure the artisans continue to work in safe and healthy conditions, and that the supplier is complying with our Code of Conduct.
Our artisans are remunerated with 6 times above the legal minimum wage required in their respective cities; which is 6 times greater than the recommended living wage. This ensures fair wage with an extra room to advance their entities, and allows our artisans to create a suitable and safe working condition for their respective collectives. Learn more about how we define fair wage and how we ensure our artisans are fairly paid here.
All payments are made directly, and despite operating independently, the demands created through RŪPAHAUS provides our artisans with a platform to not only explore creativity beyond their norm and exhibit their art and craftsmanship, but also creates sustainable job opportunities with living wage. All in the hopes to further stimulate economic growth, social & environmental sustainability awareness, and encourage the preservation of skills amongst the artisans’ future generations. With time each of our artisans collectives has steadily grown in numbers. We are now a proud community made out of 4 artisan co-operatives scattered across Indonesia, consisting more than 80 pairs of collaborating hands, infusing life to each RŪPA creation.
We also have a significant number of women artisans, who are mothers and traditionally no longer have the opportunity to apply their crafts to earn a living wage. Through RŪPAHAUS and the flexibility that comes with slow textile processing, we have given the opportunity back to them within the comfort of their own homes.
A part of every RŪPAHAUS piece will always be invested back into the communities where they were made, we do this by re-investing an additional 5% of the revenue from your purchase back into the artisans’ community.
Circular Design and Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a long-term commitment for us albeit more laborious and expensive process compared to using off-the-shelf premium organic materials, but it is definitely worth our while.
It is so important for us to make sure we minimise (if not eliminate) any potential environmental impact in our operation, and consequently minimise our carbon footprint as much as possible.
From design, production, and to the point where our pieces reach your doorstep; we hold this value so close to our hearts.
Environmentally Friendly Materials
Each of our fabrics are designed and made exclusively for RŪPAHAUS.
We use fibres of 100% non-GMO raw cotton which were organically planted without excessive chemicals and pesticides and manually farmed by the local farmers in non-GMO homegrown cotton farms in Sumatra, Java, and East Nusa Tenggara islands; including our artisans' backyard cotton crops. Depending on where the farms are, the fibres are then processed and hand spun into weaving hanks in West, Central and East Java; to then be specifically distributed for traditional artisanal weaving.
We have personal relationships with our hank distributors, to ensure that the hanks we use are ethically and sustainably planted, farmed and hand spun.
The yarns are then hand dyed using natural plant-based dyes and natural mineral mordants that are native to our artisans’ local environment. This process allows us to return the dye baths directly to the environment without disturbing the local ecosystem and use them as ground fertilisers.
Waste Management and Up-cycling
We only produce limited amounts of fabric runs, out of which a small quantity of pieces are produced.
Any unused yarns from the collections are reused, re-dyed and re-spun for our subsequent collection. This makes our pieces even more unique and help us eliminate the possibility of having dead stock.
As part of our commitment, we also run an up-cycling initiative in house – re:RŪPA – that focuses on purposefully re-integrating fabric offcuts to minimise unavoidable waste obtained in our production back into the brand; and ultimately giving these beautiful fabrics at least a second chance of life.