Ethics & Sustainability

How our clothing is made — responsibly, and by hand.

PEOPLE

Artisan hand painting organic cotton fabric using batik wax-resist technique.

Fair Work Practices & Partnerships

We work directly with artisan communities across Indonesia as independent partners – who set their own rates and timelines, retaining control over their craft and livelihoods.

Through transparent pricing and direct payment, our partners earn on average six times above local minimum wages.

Each year, 5% of our revenue is reinvested into the communities we work with.

Diagram comparing rural and urban Indonesian minimum wages with RŪPAHAUS artisan remuneration levels

Legal Minimum Wage

Legal minimum wages in Indonesia are calculated using the Decent Living Needs Index (Kebutuhan Hidup Layak) and inflation rates.

We calculate an average across artisan regions and use this as our baseline for fair pay. We calculated the average from all of our artisans cities and use it as the baseline value.

Lorek weaver holding a “Who Made My Clothes?” sign as part of a transparency campaign, photographed outside a workshop

Creating Opportunity Through Craft

In rural Indonesia, home-based textile work allows women to earn fairly while balancing family life.

This supports independence, continuity of craft, and long-term opportunity — without requiring migration or factory work.

PLANET

Loose, unbleached cotton fibre held in hands before spinning, showing raw natural material used in RŪPAHAUS fabrics.

Raw Materials

Our woven fabrics are designed and made exclusively for RŪPAHAUS, using 100% organically cultivated cotton and traditional weaving methods.

Where weaving is not part of the process, we source 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and other responsibly obtained natural materials.

From textiles to clayware, bamboo, and beeswax, our materials are sourced as close as possible to where each piece is made — reflecting the commitment to thoughtful sourcing, local knowledge, and long-term use.

Hands holding crushed plant-based dye matter used to colour yarns with natural dyes.

Plant Dyes

Our yarns are hand-dyed using natural dyes derived from plants, flowers, leaves, roots, bark, and seeds. These processes are gentle enough to be safely returned to the land.

Variation in colour and texture is natural — and valued.

Handwoven re:rupa upcycled organic cotton scrunchies dyed with natural dyes using traditional techniques

Waste Management

Leftover yarns and fabric offcuts are reused through our in-house upcycling initiative, re:RŪPA — giving materials another life rather than letting them go to waste.

We also offer a Take-Back initiative allowing customers to return garments at the end of their usable life, where returned piece are assessed for repair, repurposing, or responsible fibre recycling.

For us, sustainability is about care, intention, and respect — not perfection.

Learn how we close the loop

Product & Process

Two women walking hand in hand across an open field wearing layered, seasonless RŪPAHAUS dresses designed for everyday wear and long-term use.

Designed for Longevity

Our pieces are designed to be worn often and kept for years.

Seasonless silhouettes, breathable fabrics, and durable construction support rewear, repair, and everyday use.

Hands adjusting garment pattern pieces during small-batch production, reflecting careful, human-led garment making in Indonesia.

Slow, Small-batch Production

We produce in small quantities, creating only what feels responsible.

Each piece reflects time, variation, and the human touch — protecting both craft and the people behind it.

Artisan working with traditional tools as part of a steady, capacity-led production process guided by human rhythm and natural limits.

RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING

We make decisions intentionally — from what we produce, to when and how much.

Instead of chasing constant releases or forecasted demand, we follow natural production rhythms and real human capacity, within a steady and considered production cycle.

By letting nature and artisan-led processes set the pace, we help avoid overproduction, limit excess stock, and prioritise thoughtful continuity over market pressure.

FAQs

What does “fair work practices” mean at RŪPAHAUS?

Fair work at RŪPAHAUS means working directly with independent artisan partners who set their own rates and timelines. We use transparent pricing and direct payment, with artisans earning on average six times above local minimum wages, supporting safe and sustainable livelihoods.

How are RŪPAHAUS materials responsibly sourced?

We work through small-scale, place-based partnerships grounded in care for land and community.

Our woven textiles use 100% organically cultivated, unbleached cotton grown and hand-harvested by local Indonesian farmers. These fabrics are woven exclusively for RŪPAHAUS using traditional methods.

Where weaving is not involved — such as in select T-shirts — we use 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, clearly stated on each product page.

We also use locally gathered plant dyes and natural materials such as clay, bamboo, and beeswax. Whenever possible, materials are sourced close to where each piece is made, supporting traditional knowledge and long-term craft economies.

Are RŪPAHAUS products handmade?

Yes. All of our textiles and products are handmade using traditional techniques, produced in small batches. This approach allows for careful craftsmanship, natural variation, and greater respect for the people involved in making each piece.

Why do RŪPAHAUS products show variation in colour or texture?

Variation is a natural result of handmade processes, natural fibres, and plant-based dyes. Rather than forcing uniformity, we value these differences as a reflection of material honesty, time, and the human hand behind each piece.

What does “giving back” mean at RŪPAHAUS?

Giving back means reinvesting directly into the communities we work with. Each year, 5% of our revenue is returned to artisan communities, supporting long-term opportunity, continuity of craft, and shared growth.

How does small-batch production support sustainability?

Producing in small batches helps reduce waste, avoid overproduction, and protect craft rhythms. It allows us to make only what feels responsible, while maintaining quality, longevity, and care throughout the making process.