FASHION & ACCESSORIES
KÕRARU
Kõraru is a premium swim and resort brand focused on crafting slow fashion for a more circular world. It aims to bring consumers timeless and sophisticated designs while protecting and giving back to the natural environment from which the brand draws inspiration. Kõraru has been designed with enduring quality, and a beautiful yet timeless approach to styling. Its pieces are subtle and minimalistic, and aim to elevate the wearer through their sleek lines and by bringing classic designs into the modern era through the lens of understated sophistication.
SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE
Kõraru was conceived with the ultimate goal of sustainability in mind: circularity. Its commitment to upholding their mission statement – crafting slow fashion for a circular world – transcends the industry standard which is limited to garment fabrics or at most, to packaging solutions and transforms it into a holistic approach. From channels of communications to hand picking partners; from offering consumers as much information as possible to giving back to communities and conservation – the brand sees and includes every aspect of its universe in its business model. The biggest industry challenges are antiquated, opaque and extractive business models, as well as a cultural shift towards fast fashion. Kõraru's mission is to try and shift all of these practices towards a more regenerative and slow approach – which the team believes will increase the industry's vitality in the long run and improve consumers and environmental well being.
Established
2021
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
Employees
1-10
Categories
Swimwear, Resort
Website
Distribution
Worldwide
A WORD FROM THE CEO
Kõraru was born out of a desire to slow down. To slow down the passing trends, the never ending chase of the newest it-thing, the take-make-throw mentality. Koraru is a reminder to celebrate the beautiful but fleeting moments we experience when we are one with nature and at peace. To appreciate what we already have, and when we reach for something new, to make sure it’s something beautiful and timeless.
OANA ROMANEIRO
CEO & FOUNDER
BUTTERFLY MARK TESTIMONIAL
In an effort to always better ourselves and to hold ourselves accountable, we believe third party accreditations and certifications are at this moment the only viable solutions for businesses to demonstrate true sustainability and enhance consumer trust. Positive Luxury is at the forefront of helping brands on this journey and offering support, and the Butterfly Mark is the symbol and reminder of our core values as a sustainable brand.
Case study
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
During the assessment journey, Koraru developed a formal Environmental Management System (EMS) that serves as a guiding framework for their environmental management efforts. Through the direction of the EMS, Koraru strives to promote environmental responsibility, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, continuously report and communicate performance as well as foster staff and stakeholder engagement. Along with a general Environmental Policy within the EMS, Koraru has also included clearly defined objectives and targets on reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions with a target to achieve a 25% reduction in overall waste directed to landfill by the end of 2024 and a 15% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2024.
Case study
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CULTURE
An organisation that embeds social responsibility culture into its business model recognises that actions can have significant impacts on the environment and people. To identify, measure and manage the most material social issues relevant to Koraru and its key stakeholders, the brand conducted a formal materiality assessment that identified material topics, their effects and corrective actions. Furthermore, Koraru recognises the importance of driving sustainability purpose internally by enabling employees to drive impactful change within the organisation through decision making and education, such as Diversity, Equality and Inclusion training.
Case study
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Throughout the certification, Koraru was able to conduct an alignment analysis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and identify SDGs most relevant to their business operations. To identify the specific SDGs, Koraru analysed their level of importance to the business, the current practices in place to support these SDGs, the potential risks of not achieving these SDGs and formal targets to reach the Global Goals by 2030. Through these steps, Koraru aims to contribute to five different SDGs. For example, for SDG 14; Conserve and Sustainably Use Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources, Koraru sources fabrics made from nylon waste such as fishing nets, and donates part of its sales to coral conservation through the Coral Alliance.
WHERE NEXT?
As an online first brand, Koraru is working on streamlining its production and distribution network - to have fabrics, samples and products travel less distance from manufacturers to brand and shipping points and ultimately, to customers. This will offer customers faster and more cost efficient delivery, and help the brand reduce its overall carbon footprint.