Impact Report

How Sustainable Is WE-AR4?

Founded in 2021 in New York, United States by Anna Bakst and Michele Rutigliano, WE-AR4 is a women-founded luxury brand with a unique sourcing strategy.

Sustainability is central to WE-AR4's operations and the brand relies on a slow fashion model with very limited production and a sourcing strategy focused on leftover fabrics from overproduction. However, its transparency regarding item-level raw materials and certifications could be improved.

1. Environmental
Sustainability

WE-AR4 follows a slow fashion model with very limited production and a high share of preferred materials in its collections. The brand remains committed to continuous environmental improvements through multiple targets, yet progress toward these goals remains unclear, limiting accountability.
IMPACT AREA 01

Materials
& Sourcing

  1. WE-AR4 uses a significant share of preferred materials in its products, with various deadstock fabrics being its most-used fabrics.
  2. WE-AR4 is committed to using only sustainable materials by 2025. These are defined as excess pre-consumer materials and organic, recycled, or renewable fibers, with exceptions for trims and linings. Progress toward this target remains unclear.
  3. WE-AR4 focuses exclusively on deadstock fabrics and currently, there is a lack of certification standards for deadstock sourcing, unlike alternative materials like organic or recycled materials. This makes it difficult to verify its deadstock claims.
  4. Product packaging is made from FSC-certified paper or with at least 50% recycled content. Hangtags are made from 100% recycled paper and printed with soy ink while the labels are made from 100% recycled polyester.
  5. Raw material composition in WE-AR4's products is not fully transparent and accurate fiber percentages in blended fabrics are unavailable online.
IMPACT AREA 02

Climate
& Emissions

  1. Committed to becoming a net-zero emitter by 2025, though it is unclear whether progress toward this target is on track or if the commitment includes supply chain emissions (Scope 3) in addition to internal emissions (Scope 1 and 2).
  2. Reduces transportation emissions by manufacturing close to materials or its New York distribution center.
  3. Offers free carbon-neutral shipping worldwide.
IMPACT AREA 03

Water
& Chemicals

  1. Uses a very small share of plastic-based materials that release microplastics into the environment through washing.
  2. Claims that its suppliers comply with chemical safety laws, including the EU’s REACH and California’s Prop 65.
IMPACT AREA 04

Circularity
& Waste

  1. Uses a significant share of deadstock materials in its collections, contributing to circularity.
  2. No extended producer responsibility programs, such as clothing take-back, repair, or resale, are implemented, though plans exist for a resale program called “RE-AR4.”
  3. With its upcycling-focused sourcing strategy, WE-AR4 limits new land use by repurposing existing materials, thus reducing pressure on ecosystems.

2. Social
Sustainability

WE-AR4 uses a high share of animal-based materials in its collections, sourced under an animal welfare policy focused on deadstock sourcing and reducing waste streams. Although some supply chain facility data is disclosed, monitoring relies solely on surveys and questionnaires.
IMPACT AREA 05

Animal
Welfare

  1. WE-AR4 is not a vegan brand and uses a significant share of animal-based materials in its products, including leather, wool and cashmere, shearling, down and feather, and silk.
  2. It sources animal-based materials only from deadstock or recycled/certified sources (like RDS and GRS for down or wool) to reduce demand for virgin material production.
  3. Animal welfare policy is publicly available and forbids the use of fur, angora, and exotic skins. However, it is not aligned with The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare.
IMPACT AREA 06

Workplace
Practices

  1. WE-AR4 has an employee handbook that addresses harassment, non-discrimination, anti-retaliation, and accommodation requests, along with a formal complaint handling process and an anonymous whistleblower hotline.
  2. It describes efforts to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) through inclusive hiring practices.
  3. No external audits, third-party certifications, or other data points could be found to validate internal workplace practices.
IMPACT AREA 07

Supply Chain
Workers’ Rights

  1. Publicly discloses some information about the factories in its supply chain up to Tier 2, including the name, country, and region of the mills it uses.
  2. Its publicly available supplier code of conduct is aligned with the ILO’s fundamental freedom principles and the OECD’s sector guidelines, covering child and forced labor, wages, discrimination, working time, occupational health and safety, and collective bargaining.
  3. Supply chain monitoring is conducted through surveys and questionnaires.
•••

Sources

  1. WE AR4 – Impact
  2. WE AR4 – The Vision
  3. WE AR4 – Planet
  4. WE AR4 – People
  5. WE AR4 – Code of Conduct
  6. WE AR4 – Progress
  7. WE AR4 – Product
  8. WE AR4 – Animal Welfare
  9. WE AR4 – Our Sourcing Strategy
  10. WWD – WE AR4