We evaluate every piece across eight factors to understand its material integrity, craft value, and environmental responsibility.

The M.E.T.A.P.H.O.R.S Framework

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M: Material| Fiber origin and level of processing

E: Elements | Primary fabric component used

T: Trims | Buttons, fastenings, or surface additions

A: Assembly | Construction and sewing method

P: Packaging | Shipping and protective materials

H: Handling | Care requirements & longevity

O: Origin | Source transparency of raw materials

R: Re‑Factor | Repurposing & circularity potential

S: Size | Inclusivity and production scale

Material Integrity Scale

We prioritise materials in the following order:

Tier 1 – Minimal Processing

• Unbleached natural fibers (cotton, silk, linen, hemp)

• Handspun and handwoven textiles

• Single-fiber compositions for easier biodegradability
   

Tier 2 – Certified Natural Fibers

• Organic cotton

• Linen, hemp, wool

• Natural blends with low chemical finishing
   

Tier 3 – Regenerated Cellulose (Responsible Mills Preferred)

• Lyocell / Tencel (closed-loop systems preferred)

• FSC-sourced pulp when documented
   

Tier 4 – Higher Processing or Limited Transparency

• Chemically finished natural blends

• Bleached conventional fibers

• Regenerated fibers without process clarity

We avoid petroleum-based synthetics unless structurally necessary.
 

Assembly & Craft

We prioritize:

• Hand-spinning and hand-weaving
• Hand-finishing and visible craftsmanship
• Small-batch construction
• Zero-waste or near-zero-waste cutting where possible

Hand processes increase longevity and repairability.

Packaging Philosophy

We use, in order of preference:

1. Reusable textile bags

2. Recycled paperboard cartons

3. Molded pulp inserts

4. Uncoated kraft paper
    

Compostable films are only used where composting infrastructure exists.

All packaging is plastic-free wherever possible.

Re‑Factor (Circularity)

Each product is assessed for:

• Repurposed material content
• Single-fiber recyclability
• Repairability (if local)
• Biodegradability

Whenever possible, we design for:

• 100% repurposed or reclaimed material use

• High post-use recovery potential
  
  We encourage repair over replacement. We offer mending consultations upon request.

Care & Longevity

We recommend:

• Cold water washing
• Mild detergents
• Air drying
• Low heat ironing

Proper care extends garment life significantly and reduces environmental impact.

Origin Transparency

Where applicable, we disclose:

• Region of fiber cultivation
• Weaving location
• Craft cluster involvement
• Mill-level transparency (for regenerated fibers)

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Example:
Hand-reeled and handwoven Murshidabad silk – West Bengal, India.

 
This transforms a simple label into a story grid—communicating the journey of a product from raw material to final use. We believe sustainability is not a claim but a layered practice. Our framework evaluates materials, craft processes, and post-use potential to make informed design decisions. We are currently in the process of implementing this system for total transparency in the system.