Responsible Design
The future matters. Pale Studio wishes to question the place of the designer in the midst of our ecological transition: we seek to balance the many choices concerning our ressources, planetary boundaries and social values.
We take this responsibility serious, and we stick to a below set of values during our design and development process.
It is not always easy to balance the interest of our clients when dealing with a responsible production and technical restrictions.
However, we continue to invest our energy in providing stammering answers as we continuously research, learn, and adapt to the evolving landscape.
FRAMEWORK OF VALUES
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During the production process we place great importance on considering our available ressources. We prioritize the use of natural and renewable raw materials, such as biological cotton, RWS wool, or European flax. When it comes to technical fibres for contract fabrics, we propose textiles made from recycled fibres or recyclable fibres such a polypropylene.
We believe in making things when they’re needed as a means to prevent overproduction and minimize resource waste. This is why we privilege working with manufacturing partners who can propose flexible minimums, in order to avoid overproduction.
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We believe in respecting our planets limited ressources by extending the lifespan of products. Our dedication lies in creating high quality textiles that not only performance well but also maintain their desirability over time.
However, nothing is meant to last forever. We aim to adapt our designs to the final end-use: balancing durability performance and material end-of-life considerations
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We work with a reliable network of European manufacturers, with whom we build long-term relationships. We demand complete transparency of all industrial production steps and the provenance of raw materials. Our manufacturing partners assist us with traceable and sustainable sourcing and assure us appropriate labelling.
The key is proximity, as we prefer working with production partners in a small radius, only a train away. We work with a range of European manufacturers, who are based in France, Belgium, Italy or Spain.
We keep an ongoing conversation on how to improve or alter certain production processes, especially when it comes to harmful substances or managing water responsibly.
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It is our priority to guarantee ethical productions with deep respect for the well-being of humans, animals, and our planet. We nurture a sensitive view of considering the human values behind every action, goal, or decision.
In addition to assuring a safe and healthy work place, we ensure that our production partners maintain these same standards within their work environment. We take a proactive approach by personally visiting manufacturing sites on a regular basis.
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Our focus extends beyond mere sustainability; we embrace regenerative design as a pathway to add value in working together with nature.
This approach pushes sustainability to a more dynamic attitude, no longer just about preserving the status quo but also restoring what we’ve lost.
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In today’s world, there’s no more room for traditional notions of sustainable development. Instead, our focus is on resilience—our capacity to absorb the impending shocks and adapt or transform effectively.
We acknowledge the importance of critical ecological thinking, embracing moments of disruption and change. This drives us to engage in reflective, forward-thinking practices that lead us toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
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Never stop asking questions, dare to question the status-quo. This principle applies to challenging conventional industrial practices and reevaluating project specifications.