The Brand and Product
HARA the Label is a clothing brand founded by Allie Cameron, whose mission is to create ethical and sustainable clothing. HARA is a slow fashion company and is based out of Australia. Right now, their products consist of underwear, loungewear, sportswear, and a pillow. HARA is consistently updating and expanding its inventory. We received the Leo High Cut Bra and the Moana High Waist Bottoms both in the color olive.
Sustainability Initiatives
So why did This Kind Planet want to review HARA the Label? HARA has an abundance of sustainability initiatives. HARA has dedicated itself to its environmental sustainability, along with its social sustainability. HARA provides its textile employees with a living wage and a normal workweek. Employees are also provided breaks whenever needed, time off, snacks and fruit at all times, and overall HARA aims to provide a safe and respectful environment.
The products are made from bamboo textile, which is organic and not grown with any pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers and uses significantly less water than cotton. Bamboo also can grow in dense areas, producing a large amount of bamboo over a small area of land. Bamboo also absorbs much more CO2 than cotton and produces 30% more oxygen as well. Lastly, the bamboo fabric is hypo-allergenic, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.
HARA uses two types of dyes: natural dyes and low impact fiber-reactive dyes, which is a non-toxic synthetic dye that requires very little water. There are benefits to both types of dyes, however, they are still researching more dye alternatives that are more sustainable.
Packaging and Shipping
The product came in a small, compact package, made by The Better Packaging Co. The packaging says it’s compostable and even gives resources on where you can find compost collection spots near you. HARA practices sustainability all throughout its process, down to the packaging.
One thing to consider, however, is that this is slow fashion. So, when you place an order, they then have to make the product, as it is not stocked in the warehouse as a way of reducing waste. As a result, it took around two months to receive my underwear, which ultimately wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, as this is not something that was an urgent need.
The Product
Initially, I was impressed with the product when I took it out of the bag. It’s soft, and I loved the depth of the olive color especially because it was dyed naturally or with a low-impact dye.
HARA suggests that you hand wash in cold water for the first time. I noticed that the dye ran quite a bit after the wash, however, it didn’t seem to make a big impact on the color after it dried. To start out, the colors are vibrant, but I expect them to fade into a more earthy shade of green and I am okay with that!
The bra has no padding, with an inner and an outer layer of fabric, making it great for lounging around. It has only one strap going across the back, but still was fairly supportive.
Wearing the underwear felt very comfortable, and the medium fit true to size. I barely felt it when I was wearing it, which is something I want from my underwear! Another great thing about HARA is that they are size-inclusive, with sizes ranging from XS to 5XL. The size inclusivity reflects their values about caring about the planet and the people on it and is something that is important to me when picking out products.
Overall
One sustainability impact to consider is the travel of the garment, as the products are made in Australia. Meaning, that if you’re ordering from somewhere outside of Australia as we did, it had to be shipped, using up fuel, emitting carbon, and using up resources. If you’re not shopping locally, then this might be a factor to consider if it’s important to you.
Overall this product feels great to wear, in many different ways. It’s soft, comfortable, and size-inclusive. I feel even better knowing that I’m wearing a product that is sustainable and ethically made.
From the manufacturing process to the packaging, HARA the Label and their products impress across all aspects. HARA remains true to its values of ethicality and sustainability across the whole process, so check out their products, as they are TKP approved!
