As you can see, the price of our clothes is higher than that of large retail brands like H&M or Uniqlo.
And although we practice a “direct to consumer” sales system, that is to say without an intermediary and therefore with reduced margins, it is true that our prices can sometimes give rise to questions.
We have a double but simple explanation for this: the materials we choose are ecological and of superior quality. And our clothes are designed in the best conditions in Portugal . As you know, quality and know-how have a cost!
The increase in the price of raw materials
Since 2019, the cost of all raw materials used to make clothing has increased significantly. In 2022, the price of cotton has skyrocketed, increasing by almost 45% year-on-year, reaching a price of around €3.5 per kilo in May.
Although inflation has now ended its crazy run, the price of cotton was €2 per kilo in mid-2023, which is still double what it was in the 2000s.
The organic textile sector (around 35% more expensive), the one we favour, is more affected with prices having increased by 90% over a year. Unfortunately, the trend is not about to reverse…
Source: Indexmundi
The reasons for these price increases are varied, but the main cause is the end of the Covid-19 crisis. There is a time lag between the recovery in demand and supply, which is failing to keep up.
Weather conditions, including droughts, floods and storms, also impact agricultural production of commodities, leading to reduced supply and increased prices.
Talc: European manufacturing
At Talc, we want to get away from the classic consumer world of “produce, consume, throw away”. We have chosen to manufacture our clothes in the north of Portugal, where the best European know-how in weaving, knitting and manufacturing is found.
In addition to reducing our ecological impact, we believe that manufacturing as locally as possible allows us to create a different connection to clothes, their history and that of their creators, throughout the production chain. It also ensures good working conditions and pay for all the people who help us produce our clothes.
By concentrating the different stages of production in the north of Portugal, from spinning to manufacturing, we reduce our carbon footprint. All the components of our clothing are manufactured within a 100km radius before the finished products are transported by truck to our warehouse near Lyon.
Furthermore, we manufacture small quantities of items, on average around a hundred pieces per model/colour in order to avoid overproduction. Thus, we produce according to the state of our stocks, a more environmentally friendly method than mass-market brands that produce a lot, in a short time and at a loss.
Eco-friendly and high-quality material choices: Supima cotton, Organic cotton, Tencel™ lyocell
The production costs of clothing made with eco-friendly materials are higher because they involve specific agricultural practices, which are more expensive than conventional practices.
For example, eco-friendly materials require responsible water management and limited use of chemicals. At Talc, our clothing is made with premium materials: Supima Cotton , Organic Cotton, Tencel™lyocell .
The advantage? Our items are of better quality than in large chains and last much longer. So you don't need to buy new clothes every 2 months as the concept of fast-fashion would require!
If quality comes at a price. But it's an investment in the long term. And in the end, everyone wins: you're doing something for the environment, but also for yourself and your wallet. In the end, quality is profitable.
In any case, it is fundamental today to review one's relationship with one's clothes. With respect and awareness of the impact of their manufacture.
At Talc, we favor timeless, solid items of such quality that they can only inspire love and respect in you.
Yes, let's love our clothes! Let's respect them!