Sustainability at AG

MADE IN NEW YORK

The Alexandra Grecco line is proudly designed and made in New York City’s Garment District. Creating pieces in one location allows the AG studio team to develop and maintain close working relationships with the many individuals involved in the design and production process. Additionally, they are able to monitor and ensure that high quality standards are consistently met across the board, from garment construction to local factory conditions.

In an effort to support the Garment District, supplies and equipment in the AG studio and local factories, (sewing supplies, steamers, dress forms, sewing machines, sample fabrics, etc.) are purchased on an as-needed basis from the local shops that are essential to the vitality of this authentic neighborhood.

MADE-TO-ORDER

AG pieces are made-to-order which means that each and every garment is created specifically for someone. This practice honors the significance of a bride’s gown and creates a “slow-fashion” company environment while eliminating the production of excess inventory and waste.

FABRIC REPURPOSING

The AG team is dedicated to recycling, donating, and repurposing fabric. All fabric scraps are saved after a garment is cut and then collected on a weekly basis for the purpose of reducing waste and creating small items like silk covered buttons, trims, accessories, etc.. Fabric that cannot be repurposed is donated to students at local fashion schools like FIT, sold to local fabric stores, or used to create fit samples during the development of new styles.

AG AGAIN

A carefully curated assortment of AG gowns are offered exclusively online or during in-person sample sales. These gowns are gently worn samples, discontinued styles or bridal orders with slight flaws that just missed passing inspection. Offering these near-perfect gowns at a discount ensures they can be worn and celebrated and is the perfect solution for budget and/or eco-conscious brides.

SUSTAINABLE UPGRADES

Over the last year + we have sourced, tested and replaced many of our existing materials and supplies with alternatives that are more sustainable. Below we have listed some of the changes we have made along with items we are currently testing. We hope that by sharing these resources, we will encourage other companies to join us as we do our part in working towards a greener future.

Hangers - We are excited to introduce our new biodegradable hangers from Trempel. These hangers are both strong and durable, and are made using only organic, biodegradable, and renewable fibers that are traceable and sustainably sourced. These materials offer a luxurious look and feel, while also being environmentally responsible.

Shipping Boxes - Our gowns are shipped in custom boxes from Pratt which are made in New York from up to 100% recycled content. Most boxes in the industry are only made from up to 50% recycled content.

Shipping Labels - We use a thermal printer from Rollo and “Zero Waste” shipping labels from EcoEnclose when transporting our gowns to retailers. Thermal printers use less energy than inkjet printers and because they do not require ink there are no plastic cartridges used in the process, which greatly reduces waste and environmental impact. Our shipping labels are made from 100% post-consumer materials and are backed with a release liner that is 100% curbside recyclable. Traditional release liners are extremely difficult to recycle, so they (over 60 billion of them) inevitably end up in the landfill.
Box Tape - We use a water-activated tape (WAT) from EcoEnclose which requires less material per seal and is also curbside recyclable. This plastic-free tape is made in the USA using 50% recycled paper fiber and renewable plant-derived materials that can be regrown. Our logo is printed on the tape with HydroSoy or Algae Ink™.
Accessory Packaging - When necessary, we package our accessories in Vela™ Glassine Bags from EcoEnclose. These are a plastic-free, curbside recyclable alternative to a clear plastic poly bag.