The most sustainable alternative to conventional fashion is to give already existing pieces a second go at it. We embrace the concept of a circular economy by actively trading pre-loved retro pieces, using earth-friendly fabrics to make new apparel or reusing dead-stock & thrifted fabrics where possible. This helps us to conserve natural resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, textile waste and the environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of new garments.

We invest countless hours to meticulously inspect and handpick high quality retro-inspired thrift items from all over South Africa. We ensure that each piece undergoes a thorough cleaning process and necessary repairs. This guarantees their pristine condition, allowing you to make easier environmentally and socially conscious choices while shopping.

Our day to day business practices are also centered around lowering our carbon footprint, from using eco-friendly (biodegradable) mail bags & packaging to carbon neutral printers for tags and other collateral (Thank you Pargo & Hotink).

We believe in the power of ethical practices to create a fashion industry that values both people and the planet. Many of our thrifted items are sourced from local Charity stores that operate with ethical and social missions, supporting charitable causes or local communities. 

We take pride in ensuring that our apparel is crafted with care from start to finish in Cape Town, and its surrounding small communities. The process begins with the creative vision of Nicole Brand, the founder of Retro Club. To bring these designs to life, we collaborate with a talented, local pattern maker who plays a crucial role in the production process. However, it is the hands of our local seamstresses that truly bring the apparel together. We allow our pattern maker and seamstresses to have agency over their work and establish their own rates, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their craftsmanship. Through this process, we aim to supports local artisans and empower the women in our community.

When sourcing from wholesalers or using other production services (like embroidery or printing), we make sure to research and support other South African based businesses that produce locally. By keeping our production and sourcing local and small, we support the growth and sustainability of our local economy.This allows us to maintain a close relationship with the individuals involved in the creation of our apparel, ensuring transparency, accountability, and a positive impact on the community.

We love slowing down fashion as much as we love the slow life of Cape Town. Consciousness, intentionality, and holism are characteristics we embody and prioritize through every aspect of our product's life cycle, from its conception to disposal.  One way we fulfill these practices is through using durable, natural fabrics like cotton, corduroy, and linen.
By utilizing these materials and maintaining a small production team, we focus on creating high-quality, timeless designs in small batches. This approach ensures that each piece is unique, non-mass produced, and will adventure with you through many seasons. We also incorporate thrifted and dead-stock fabrics when possible, allowing us to repurpose and breathe new life into pre-owned materials. Through our thrifting practices we encourage a slower and more thoughtful approach to fashion, and actively promote a shift away from the fast fashion culture of rapid consumption and disposal. Instead, we encourage our customers to appreciate the value and uniqueness of pre-owned or consciously crafted items, fostering a sustainable mindset that values quality, longevity, and individual style expression.