Streetwear brand from Amsterdam on a mission to prove that fashion can be circular, social and local. New Optimist employs and trains people at a distance to the labor market

New Optimist's packaging is made from recycled and recyclable paper bags decorated with water based stamps and water adhesive tape. The bags are sewn shut with organic cotton thread. To ship packages, they utilize RePack. These bags are meant to be returned and/or reused many times

New Optimist utilizes plant based fibers to avoid agricultural pesticides and fertilizers that end up in water sources due to runoff. The brand has in its ethos the promise to continue to avoid synthetic fibers that derive from fossil fuels to protect marine life and life on land from micro plastics

New Optimist hosts all production in the textile atelier/store in Amsterdam. They follow Dutch labors and the CAO MITT which means they pay production employees over Dutch standard minimum wage. Since they currently only have three makers and operate in Amsterdam, they do not qualify for some of these larger certifications

New Optimist creates employment opportunities for people who need assistance within their community. With the help of job coaching organization, Match and Work, the social sector of the brand is able to serve those at a distance to the labor market and support them through integration into society and/or the Dutch workforce. There is a focus on hiring people with refugee backgrounds because New Optimist is able to provide a positive integration into the Dutch workforce and Dutch culture. The recruitment process for makers has been primarily through the Refugee Company, ROC van Amsterdam, Rambler Studio and Gildbelab

The New Optimist team is a total of 12 employees

New Optimist doesn't produce seasonally but rather through limited collections. New styles are dropped based on the batch of fabric they have in the atelier. When the limited style sells out and there is more fabric, they make individual pieces per order to avoid waste

New Optimist products are PETA-Vegan Approved, meaning they are certified to be created with absolutely no animal products involved at any stage of their production process

All New Optimist pieces are simplistic and made to last. The brand believes in producing quality garments that never go out of style and can last many years. To ensure that people get the most out of their garments, they offer free repairs to any of their pieces

New Optimist

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