Let the Supply Chain Design

“Let the supply chain design” is a bold innovation that changes the traditional product development and production model, and we did it. By prioritising work with like-minded suppliers, sourcing fabrics that meet our selection criteria, and finally design. ZAS has redefined the relationship between product development and production, where the two influence each other and co-create, rather than being upstream and downstream, in the ZAS business model.

An ethical supply chain is at the heart of our creations. From material sourcing to garment-making technique, it is all based on the integration of the supply chain. We are working with Advance Denim (our current denim supplier) to develop products that are both durable and ethical, resulting in our denim collection. We were impressed by their commitment, starting 20 years ago, to improving working conditions and investing in wastewater treatment. Their wastewater filtration and recycling system also gave us a more positive outlook on the environmental impact of denim production.

 

                   (Picture by Advance Denim ltd lab)

 

 

 

Sustainable Design ≠ No Identity

 

We are constantly exploring our unique identity. In many stereotypes, sustainable is often described as 'boring,' which prevents more individuals who want to express themselves from choosing more ethical products. ZAS aims to inspire a broader audience by combining ethical values with our own design language, showing that sustainability can also express a unique sense of self. We also hope to inspire more ethical brands to explore diverse designs in the future, or inspire more designers to incorporate sustainable practices into production and supply chains, rather than just as a marketing strategy.

 

 

 

 

Natural and Safe Material

Our selection criteria for fabrics, opting for natural materials such as cotton and Tencel (plant-based fibers) in our garments. We also replace traditional polyester care labels with printing technology, and use recycled offcuts fabric for tags. All accessories are made from pure copper, free of nickel, cadmium, and other metals, to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

We also aspire to use more mono-materials (100% fibers) in the future, as these single-component fabrics make garments easier to recycle and decompose at the end of their life cycle.

 

 

 

Fair Paid to the Artists We Work With

Unlike the traditional assembly-line production model, we produce garments through small-batch local production and sewing full-piece, where each seamstress is an artist. This production approach not only reduces the risk of production waste but also allows us to maintain control over garment quality. The full-piece sewing process encourages our artists to treat each garment with greater care and responsibility, while also enabling them to receive more fair compensation.

Fast expansion and mass production is not what we aim for. Our current production model dictates that each batch is sold in limited quantities. We hope that every customer who buys a product is carefully considered and genuinely enjoys the pleasure it brings them. 

 

 

 

Design to Last

We creating products that maintain our playful design language while offering versatility and longevity. Versatility ensures that the garments can be worn on various occasions and styled in multiple ways, as seen in the reversible design of the Lyra Collection. Longevity is achieved through our garment-making techniques and design-to-last ethos, with a focus on durability. 

 

 

 

 

About Sustainability: 

We do not label ourselves as a 'sustainable brand.' In reality, no brand in the world can be 100% truly sustainable. As long as a brand is generating profit by producing and selling clothing, it is not sustainable, because it continuously depletes the Earth's resources. Instead of greenwashing by calling ourselves a sustainable brand, we prefer to focus on making clothing in a more ethical and impactful way--every single little bit does count. We aim to create durable garments that allow people to express themselves while minimizing environmental impact as much as possible. Therefore, we prefer to describe ourselves as responsible, rather than sustainable.

As an independent designer studio, we are trying our best to design and produce in a better way. Within our capabilities, we strive to polish every product, even if it means releasing only one at a time. 

 

 

          (Image from the internet)