Madewell

Madewell is owned by J.Crew.

Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate Madewell “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including organic cotton.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain but there’s no evidence it is on track.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• It engages with production suppliers to manage water use.
• It offers resale of second hand products.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate Madewell “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse.
• It partly traces its supply chain including the final and some of the second production stages.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• It audits some of its supply chain including all of the final production stage.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
• During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate Madewell “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It has an animal welfare policy aligned but is not aligned with the Five Domains.
• It appears to use leather, shearling, and exotic animal hair.
• Responsible Wool Standard certifies some of the wool it sources.
• It doesn’t appear to use down, fur, angora, or exotic animal skin.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Madewell “It’s a Start” overall.