Passion Lilie

Packaging

Finished products are packed in recyclable, reusable paper bags, and shipped in mailers made from 100% recycled material. No poly bags or virgin plastics are used; even hang-tags are attached with a small twine tie instead of plastic tabs.

Material Sustainability

Virtually all fabrics are natural fibers, with a heavy emphasis on organic cotton. The use of GOTS-certified organic cotton means the cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, reducing harm to ecosystems and farming communities. Organic farming improves soil health and biodiversity, and Passion Lilie explicitly prefers organic cotton “when we can”. Indeed, many items (dresses, baby clothes, tops) are labeled as organic cotton, indicating a large portion of their line falls into the most sustainable fiber categories.

Many fabrics are made with heritage techniques: handloom weaving and hand block printing. These methods are often less energy-intensive than industrial knitting or digital printing, and they support artisan livelihoods. The brand also sources upcycled fibers: since 2020, they partner with a Bangalore studio that shreds cotton garment waste and spins it into new yarn (a 70% organic cotton / 30% recycled cotton blend).

Energy Use and Footprint

By concentrating production in India and choosing artisan partners with renewable energy infrastructure, the brand shrinks its operational footprint. Notably, its main garment manufacturing unit runs on 90% solar power. Likewise, the block-printing studio has achieved carbon neutrality through offsets (certified by Climes). Keeping all processes localized (“from raw materials, printing, and weaving” all in close proximity) further reduces transportation emissions within the supply chain. The majority of Passion Lilie’s carbon footprint comes from shipping finished goods from India to New Orleans and onward to customers. This unavoidable impact for a global brand is addressed transparently: they report a maximum of ~7 metric tons CO₂-e per year from operations, which is significantly lower than industry averages (due to their small-batch scale and efficient supply chain). Importantly, the company takes responsibility for those emissions by partnering with Grow Ahead to invest in reforestation offsets. Through this partnership, trees are planted to sequester carbon and benefit farming communities, effectively neutralizing the shipping footprint over the long term.

Waste Management

All garments are made in small batches, which prevents overproduction and excess inventory. Collections are timeless and seasonless, meaning products don’t “expire” quickly on the shelf and need clearance or disposal. The company actively repurposes fabric scraps from production. One example is their line of zero-waste home goods (cloth napkins, tea towels, coasters) made from excess fabric and cut-offs. As noted, Passion Lilie partners with a weaving studio that takes post-industrial cotton waste, shreds it, and spins it into new yarn (blended with organic cotton). The fabrics made from this yarn incorporate ~30% recycled cotton content, directly mitigating textile waste by giving it a second life.

Every item is made of 100% natural fibers, so even if it ends up disposed, it is compostable/biodegradable (no synthetic fibers to persist indefinitely). The brand encourages customers to resell or donate old garments, or even upcycle them into rags or new creations. In fact, Passion Lilie launched a “Pre-Loved” resale program on its website, facilitating customers to buy and sell used Passion Lilie pieces.

Business Model

The brand designs for longevity, both in style and construction. Its collections feature classic, versatile silhouettes meant to remain wearable year after year, rather than fad-driven pieces. By blending timeless design with heritage prints, the clothes have a unique yet enduring aesthetic that doesn’t go “out of season” quickly. This is reinforced by founder Katie Schmidt’s goal of creating apparel that inspires confidence across “all ages, body types, and seasons,” indicating a focus on versatile, long-term wardrobe staples rather than fleeting trends.

Passion Lilie places a strong emphasis on ensuring its materials and processes are safe for human health and free of harmful chemicals. This commitment starts with the inputs: the predominant use of organic fibers means the raw material (cotton) is grown without toxic pesticides or fertilizers, protecting not only ecosystems but also farmers and ultimately consumers from chemical residues. Conventional cotton farming relies on insecticides and herbicides that can leave residues in fibers and cause health issues for workers; by using GOTS-certified organic cotton, Passion Lilie eliminates these substances from its supply chain.

The dyeing and printing stage is often where toxicity can creep into fashion, but Passion Lilie excels here as well. They ensure that all dyes are non-toxic and eco-friendly. According to the brand, most garments are colored with “organic dyes” that are GOTS certified. These are low-impact synthetic dyes formulated to meet organic processing standards, meaning they avoid hazardous substances like azo compounds, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and aromatic solvents. Passion Lilie makes a point that while these are synthetic dyes, they use a water-based binder with no harmful chemicals, so the colors remain vibrant without compromising safety. For any items not using GOTS dyes, the brand uses azo-free dyes exclusively.

The company is a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), meaning it has committed to and been vetted for the Federation’s principles of fair wages, transparency, and safe working conditions. In practice, Passion Lilie collaborates with several small artisan groups in India, treating them as long-term partners rather than anonymous suppliers.

Passion Lilie is essentially a 100% vegan brand. It does not use any animal-derived materials in its products, thereby sidestepping animal welfare concerns entirely.

The brand’s primary social impact is through the fair trade relationships described above. By providing artisans with stable, well-paid work and preserving traditional crafts, Passion Lilie supports community livelihoods and cultural heritage. Many of these artisan groups are in rural or economically disadvantaged areas (e.g., villages near Hyderabad for ikat weaving, Rajasthan for block printing). The income and training provided help lift these communities by reducing poverty and strengthening skills.