Feature: Is Damson Madder Sustainable?

July 5, 2024

Model in a blue knitted top and a long brown check Damson Madder skirt, one black boot resting on a red SLOW road sign, in front of dense green shrubs with red flowers.

It's a question Damson Madder is happy to answer. The brand publishes where its clothes are made, what they're made from and which certifications cover them, and in April 2026 it put out its first impact report. It's a big part of why we stock it.

What is Damson Madder made from?

Mostly cotton, and most of that cotton is organic or recycled. In its impact report the brand says cotton makes up about three-quarters of the fibre it uses, that 92% of it is organic or recycled, and that it's certified to GOTS, OCS or GRS, the independent standards for organic and recycled content. More than 85% of its products are made from plant-based or recycled fibres, it says.

It's open about what it's still working on, too. Virgin synthetics make up just 4% of the fibre it uses, and the brand is aiming to get that below 2%. It's the kind of detail we're glad to see a brand publish.

The brand says many of its fabrics, and its trims, meet OEKO-TEX standards, which limit harmful substances. Its prints use water-based inks free from PVC, and its denim is made with single fibres so it's easier to recycle at the end of its life.

Model with long dark hair and red lipstick sitting on grass, wearing a yellow and brown striped Damson Madder piece with puffed sleeves, bow ties at the neckline and a pearl necklace.

Where is Damson Madder made?

The clothes are designed by the team in North London and made with long-standing factory partners in Turkey, China and India. The brand says part of its team is based in Turkey and visits the factories there every week, and that every factory is audited by a third party. It publishes its factory list on Open Supply Hub, where anyone can look it up, and it has signed the Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Transparency Pledge.

Is Damson Madder fast fashion?

It works the other way round. The brand says it designs its collections 12 to 18 months ahead and makes them in small batches, and the whole idea is clothes you'll wear for years. Its own advice for making them last is to wash them less. If something does need mending, the brand has partnered with SOJO, a clothing repair service, so a favourite piece can go straight back into rotation.

Why we stock Damson Madder

Emma Hill started the label because she couldn't find sustainable clothes with any real personality, and you can see that in every collection. Puffed sleeves, big collars, bows, and prints that clash on purpose. It's the fun end of responsible fashion, and it's easy to wear. Put a printed blouse with jeans and trainers, or a midi dress with a plain knit over the top.

One tip before you order: in our experience the sizing comes up small, so if you're between sizes, go up. There's more on fit in where Damson Madder is from. Everything we have in is in our Damson Madder collection, with the fibre content listed on each product page.