OUR STORY

OUR STORY
A TRUE FAMILY BUSINESS

In 1897, following a thorough training from the Trappist monks, Jan Nelemans started his own tailoring business in Zundert. It was the start of a long family tradition in clothing. In 1949, the first store opened, 20 more shop openings would follow over the years throughout the Netherlands. They sold fashion for the whole family, from socks to overcoats and a large variety of outdoor clothing. 

As a true family business, the whole family worked within the firm and daily business revolved around clothing and customers. FashionPower was founded by the 4th generation, Reg and Ronald Nelemans and choose to design and develop functional activewear and outdoor clothing. In the past years this has been developed from doing almost everything, into making only sustainable garments. 

With their vision in mind, The 5th generation, Maxim Nelemans is now heading the company as CEO. The focus is to change over 125 years of impact on the clothing industry into a positive one. This means all of our products are reviewed in the design phase, based on the right impact on materials and process. This means making the hard choice of stopping to do what everyone does and be a sustainable pioneer instead. From using coffee grounds to add functionality, to decreasing water usage, CO² emissions and energy use through to Dope Dye and using recycled materials to get a circular proposition. FashionPower works directly with all suppliers involved and all of this is done with the aim that everyone is wearing and working on our products with a smile.

OUR SUSTAINABLE PHILOSOPHY.

FashionPower wants to work 100% sustainable by 2030

We are aware that the textile industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, therefore we feel responsible and want to act sustainable. We aim to develop our products with materials that have little ecological footprint, can be used circularly and are made in processes which aim to reduce and/or phase out any environmental risks in our supply chain. We want to avoid high-risk countries regarding human rights, mitigate potential risks and focus on long-term partnerships. We aim to be in control of our supply chain from Tier 1 until Tier 3, in order to identify and manage these risks.

To guide our responsible business conduct, we will further develop our system of due diligence and monitoring for all risks that we are aware of. We constantly want to improve our performance, in the basic idea of planet, people, prosperity and long-term partnerships. Our policies and standards align with international standards and are upheld by our own code of conduct.

We will follow the guidelines of:

• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (June 2011)
• UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015)
• ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE declaration, March 2017)
• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector (2018)

Regarding human rights and social risks, we will focus on:

• No Child or Forced Labor
• No sexual harassment and sexual and gender-based violence in the workplace
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Working time and wages according to ILO standards
• Trade unions and collective bargaining according to ILO standards

Regarding environment we will focus on:

• Substitution and limitation of hazardous chemicals
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Waste and water management
• Circular alternatives to be implemented

Stated Zundert September 2020,

FashionPower Board of Directors

NOMINATIONS

KONING WILLEM 1 AWARD

Nominee for the esteemed KONING WILLEM 1 Award for sustainable entrepreneurship. This nomination was a tremendous honour for us and a testament to the innovative and sustainable practices we have implemented in our business. This recognition reinforces our commitment to sustainability and encourages us to continue striving for excellence in every aspect of our operations. The Koning Willem 1 Award is widely regarded as the Oscars of the Dutch business community, and we are grateful to be considered among such esteemed companies.

DEUTSCHER NACHHALTIGKEITSPREIS

Nominee in both 2022 (Finalist) and 2024. With six competitions, more than 1,000 applicants and 3,000 guests at the award’s gala, the German Sustainability Award is the most comprehensive of its kind in Europe. The award is based on the goals of the 2030 Agenda and thus on the key areas of transformation such as climate, biodiversity, resources, supply chain and society. The GSA is awarded on German Sustainability Day, which has evolved into the leading international convention on sustainability since 2008. The event, with more than 150 speakers, connects relevant stakeholders, allowing them to exchange and benefit from each other’s experiences. Throughout the year, all GSA activities are comprehensively aligned with the principles of sustainability.