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Evelyn is a college student who has attracted a large following on social media by sharing unique bridesmaid dress pairing inspirations. One of her fans is the chief editor, Mia, who invited Evelyn to join Chicsew to help bridesmaids with their outfit dilemmas.

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ChicSew’s factory is located in Suzhou, China, which has been famous for silk since ancient times. Nowadays, its manufacturing industry is well developed, and here we can approach the advanced satin manufacturing process to fulfill our different bridesmaid dress production and sales needs. The current size of our factory is about 52 workers, the average salary level is more than 1.2 times the minimum salary standard in Suzhou.

ChicSew Traceability: Our Supply Chain

At ChicSew, we are dedicated to providing full transparency in every garment we create. Our dresses are 100% traceable, meaning we track every step of the production process — from raw material sourcing to fabric milling, manufacturing, and trim production. For our accessories, we achieve 80% traceability. While most materials and production facilities are fully traced, some smaller trims may not be as easily tracked due to sourcing complexities.

Our Polyester

A major portion of our garments is made from synthetic fibers, including polyester, which is sourced from a combination of both virgin and recycled materials. Our polyester fibers are sourced from reputable suppliers who focus on minimizing environmental impact by using recycled PET from post-consumer waste where possible. We ensure that all our polyester comes from factories that adhere to strict environmental and quality standards.

Our Mills

Our polyester fibers are spun into yarns, woven, and dyed into fabrics by mills located in Changzhou and Suzhou China. These mills are selected for their advanced production techniques and commitment to sustainable practices. Beyond the cut-and-sew process, we work directly with these mills to ensure compliance with our strict labor standards and human rights policies. This includes programs that focus on water quality, waste reduction, and improving working conditions, particularly in facilities where migrant or Sumangali labor may be involved. By engaging with mills on these issues, we help them meet high standards for both worker well-being and environmental sustainability.

We also extend our labor standard audits to ensure fair treatment, safe working environments, and adherence to human rights principles. Collaborative initiatives with our suppliers help ensure continuous improvement, and we encourage regular assessments to ensure that all parties involved are accountable for their practices.

Our Manufacturers

All of our garments are made in China, with the majority of production taking place in Suzhou and the southeastern seaboard. These regions are home to skilled manufacturers that handle the cutting, sewing, washing, and finishing of our garments. We partner with these manufacturers to ensure they comply with labor laws, provide safe working conditions, and pay fair wages. In addition to factory-level compliance, we also engage with some of these facilities beyond the basic production process to address human rights and labor standards through collaborative initiatives. This includes extending our audit programs and working closely with facilities to improve environmental impact and support the well-being of all workers.

ChicSew Code of Conduct

At ChicSew, we are committed to promoting ethical, sustainable, and responsible business practices throughout our operations. Our code of conduct sets forth the principles that guide our work with suppliers, manufacturers, and employees, ensuring that our practices align with respect for human rights, environmental responsibility, and fair labor standards.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

All business practices must comply with local, national, and international laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate, including those related to labor, health, safety, and the environment.

Freely Chosen Employment

We are committed to providing an environment where all employees work freely and without any form of forced, bonded, or involuntary labor. All work must be voluntary, with employees free to leave or terminate their employment with reasonable notice, in accordance with local labor laws.

Prohibition of Child Labor

We strictly prohibit the employment of individuals who are under the legal working age as defined by local law or international standards. We do not tolerate any form of child labor in our supply chain or operations.

Non-Discrimination

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political opinions, national origin, or social origin. We take proactive steps to prevent any form of discrimination or harassment, and encourage diversity in our workforce. Discriminatory practices of any kind are not tolerated, and we actively create opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Safe and Healthy Working Conditions

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. This includes maintaining facilities that comply with all applicable health and safety laws, providing adequate training, and ensuring that employees are informed of potential hazards. We also maintain systems for addressing any work-related health and safety concerns.

Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining

We respect the rights of employees to freely associate, join labor unions, and engage in collective bargaining. Employees should not face any retaliation or discrimination for exercising these rights.

Compensation and Well-Being

At ChicSew, we are committed to providing our employees with fair and adequate compensation that exceeds the minimum wage standards set by law. In fact, the majority of our workers in our Suzhou factory earn a living wage, which is significantly above the industry average and local minimum wage requirements. We are dedicated to ensuring that our workers are paid a fair wage that allows them to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life. In addition to fair wages, we offer a variety of well-being programs to further support the health, safety, and financial security of our employees. These programs include:

• Healthcare coverage for employees and their families.
• Transportation subsidies to ease commuting costs.
• Housing allowances for eligible workers.
• Access to financial services and support to improve financial literacy.

These initiatives are designed to enhance the overall well-being of our workers, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally. Moreover, we believe in extending our commitment to well-being beyond the factory walls. Over 50% of our products are produced in facilities where we have implemented community-level well-being programs. These initiatives include investments in local education, healthcare access, and environmental sustainability, ensuring that the positive impact of our operations benefits not only our workers but also the broader community.

Working Hours

We adhere to all applicable laws regarding working hours and rest periods. Employees are not expected to work more than the legal limits on working hours, and overtime must be voluntary, paid, and in accordance with local labor laws.

Environmental Responsibility

We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact through sustainable practices in all aspects of our business. This includes reducing waste, conserving water, limiting energy consumption, and using eco-friendly materials wherever possible. We work with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. We make improvement in sustainability across all aspects of our operations:

• CO2 Emissions: We measure and disclose emissions from our manufacturing processes, and over 50% of our products are produced with facilities that prioritize renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
• Water Usage: We disclose water consumption and actively reduce water use, particularly in mills and dye houses, with over 50% of our products manufactured in water-efficient facilities.
• Waste Reduction: We focus on reducing waste through conscious design and recycling materials. Over 50% of our products are made in factories with waste-reduction programs.
• Chemical Management: We enforce strict guidelines for hazardous chemicals and ensure compliance with the ZDHC MRSL standards.
• Circular Economy: We invest in closed-loop capabilities, including recycling and reclaiming processes, to support a more sustainable, circular product lifecycle.

Raw Material Labor & Human Rights

We are committed to protecting the labor rights and well-being of those producing raw materials for our products. Through our partnerships with multi-stakeholder initiatives and adherence to certifications, we ensure that over 50% of our raw materials are sourced under fair labor conditions. We prioritize working with suppliers who comply with internationally recognized standards for labor rights, such as Fair Trade, GOTS (for organic cotton), and RWS (Responsible Wool Standard). This commitment extends to ensuring that the people who grow and produce our raw materials are treated ethically and fairly.

Ethical Business Conduct

We maintain the highest standards of integrity in all business activities. This includes avoiding conflicts of interest, practicing transparency in our operations, and ensuring that we do not engage in bribery, corruption, or any other unethical practices.

Supplier Responsibility

We hold our suppliers to the same high standards outlined in this Code of Conduct. We expect our suppliers to maintain a workplace that is free from forced labor, child labor, discrimination, and unsafe conditions. We regularly audit and monitor our supply chain to ensure compliance with these standards.

In addition, we actively assess and disclose the most significant labor and human rights risks within our supply chain through internal audits and third-party evaluations. While we don’t provide a comprehensive public report of every risk assessment, we address key findings directly with our suppliers and work to resolve any identified risks, including fair wages, working hours, and workplace safety. Our goal is to ensure that all workers in our supply chain are treated fairly and work in safe, ethical conditions. Any risks identified are actively managed and improved upon to foster long-term, responsible relationships.

Subcontracting

ChicSew suppliers must not engage any subcontractor to perform any work for Chic Sew products or components without prior written approval from Chic Sew. Any approved subcontractors must agree to fully comply with this Code of Conduct and adhere to the same ethical standards, labor practices, and environmental responsibilities that we uphold.

Reporting and Accountability

We encourage all employees, suppliers, and partners to report any concerns regarding potential violations of this Code of Conduct. We provide accessible channels for confidential reporting and ensure that no retaliation will occur for making a report in good faith. We also commit to taking corrective action when violations are identified.

Worker / Maker Voice

AtChicSew, we believe that empowering workers to voice their concerns, ideas, and advocate for their rights is essential to maintaining ethical and fair labor practices. Our commitment is to ensure that makers in our supply chain have effective and safe channels to communicate their concerns, feedback, and suggestions.

Efforts to Engage Makers

We actively engage with our makers to understand their perspectives, either directly or through collaborations with third-party organizations. Our engagement efforts include:

• Worker Surveys: We conduct regular surveys with workers to gather their feedback on working conditions, safety, wages, and overall satisfaction.
• Helplines and Feedback Channels: We conduct regular surveys with workers to gather their feedback on working conditions, safety, wages, and overall satisfaction.
• Direct Factory Visits and Audits: Our teams visit factories regularly to establish open communication with workers, ensuring their voices are heard and any issues are addressed promptly.

Sourcing from Unionized or Cooperative Factories

Where possible, we prioritize sourcing from unionized factories or those that operate as worker cooperatives, where makers have formal representation and a direct role in decision-making. We believe this fosters a more transparent, accountable, and respectful working environment.

Supporting Trade Union Capacity Building

In regions where freedom of association may be limited, we are committed to supporting efforts that build union capacity and enhance worker-management dialogue. This includes:

• Promoting Dialogue: We collaborate with partners and NGOs to strengthen worker-management cooperation and improve labor rights through capacity-building initiatives, training programs, and advocacy.
• Empowering Workers: We encourage our suppliers to establish internal communication channels where workers can raise issues directly with management in a constructive and safe manner.

Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuously improving our labor practices, environmental impact, and business ethics. We will regularly review and update this Code of Conduct to ensure it reflects the highest standards of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.