TALA sportswear: Sustainable sportswear from top to toe

Since its inception in May 2019, TALA has been making waves with its commitment to creating sustainable sportswear. Generating £5.2 million worth of sales in its first year alone, TALA offers “sustainable and high-performance activewear, without the hefty price tag.”

But how sustainable is TALA sportswear? Does it have impactful initiatives to permanently reshape the landscape of fast fashion? Let's find out.

TALA sportswear: Athleisure for the modern consumer

Created by influencer-entrepreneur Grace Beverly, TALA has a clear mission driving the business — developing sustainable sportswear that offers no compromises on performance, fit, quality and style while still being affordable.

TALA understands that fast fashion isn't — and can never be — sustainable. So, instead of finding ways to make it work, the brand breaks the mould by offering realistic, attainable alternatives.

TALA capitalised on a market gap: a younger consumer making conscious purchases, investing in high-quality, sustainable clothing and surpassing expectations. 

Sustainability initiatives

TALA firmly believes that brands must prove they’re sustainable and not greenwash consumers by brandishing vague claims in today's world.

Here are some sustainable sportswear initiatives TALA is developing and investing in to become a business championing industry-wide change.

Product

Mass-produced apparel is inherently unsustainable, so how is TALA combatting this?

The biggest part of the sustainability equation is the product itself. TALA's products are versatile, made to last and far from trend-driven as most fast fashion ranges tend to be, limiting hyperconsumerism. These sportswear garments are investment pieces, with basics in multiple colours to suit everyone, perfect for capsule wardrobes that never go out of style.

TALA's data-driven approach to product development further curbs hyperconsumerism by drawing insights from its vast community of users. This enables TALA to create a unique range that meets the needs of its consumers, reducing the risk of poor product sales and waste.

The brand has a ‘no stock to landfill rule’, meaning it’ll never produce products specifically for a discount or promotional period. If products aren’t selling as well as expected, they’ll be discounted instead of wasted.

Materials

Sustainability starts at the beginning of the supply chain, with the materials used. With sustainable sportswear, the performance of the materials is paramount. TALA has worked hard to develop materials that are equally eco-friendly and high-quality.

All products contain recycled content or naturally sourced materials, whether recycled nylon or tencel modal fabric made from beech tree pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests.

The term 'recycled materials' can often seem vague, so TALA categorises materials into two specific categories — post-consumer recycled fabrics from recycled clothing and pre-consumer recycled materials from factory offcuts and surplus fabrics.

Labour

TALA actively works to ensure the well-being of its workers. It recognises the importance of labour rights and monitors health and safety issues by conducting third-party audits of production suppliers. 

The brand ensures traceability of most of its supply chain, even its final production stages. Its commitment to transparency sets it apart from other brands, encouraging other brands to follow suit. 

While TALA’s commitment to transparency is commendable, it could work towards sourcing from countries with better labour rights records. It could also take steps to ensure the payment of a living wage and improve labourers' living conditions.

Animal welfare

TALA scores highly for animal welfare, with its products generally free of animal materials. Aside from using only non-animal materials, its Code of Conduct adheres to international regulations and ensures supplier transparency. Although its impact on animals is unknown, the brand's overall commitment to sustainability is worth acknowledging.

ReTALA

While reusing sustainable sportswear isn’t to everyone’s tastes, TALA recognises the need to deal with the issue of apparel waste. 

Enter the ReTALA initiative. 

Customers can send back TALA items they no longer need or wear. TALA's partnered with Reskinned to resell, repurpose or recycle unwanted items, keeping them out of landfills. The process is simple and incentivised, making the concept more appealing to customers.

TALA is trying to be part of the solution by creating better options and facilitating the circular business model that brands aim to achieve.

Beyond product

It doesn't just stop with its product range. TALA also invests in initiatives beyond its offerings, minimising waste and unsustainable practices beyond the supply chain.

Its products have plantable swing tags in terms of packaging and trims. The brand removed paper packaging slips in its parcels, eliminating 150,000 pieces of wasted paper annually.

TALA is open to exploring new packaging options, acknowledging that simply choosing a ‘biodegradable’ option that still takes hundreds of years to disintegrate isn’t good enough.

Other small wins that make a bigger impact include 100% renewable energy use at the TALA HQ and partnering with sustainable laundry services after product shoots.

Sustainable sportswear: A reality or greenwashing?

TALA has the right intentions. But in a world filled with greenwashing claims and constant criticism, how does it combat bigger issues? 

It starts by acknowledging that it’s part of the problem by developing and selling products. Yes, it’s a product-driven business, but the ethos is to provide an alternative to traditional fast fashion brands and start giving realistic, sustainable solutions.

What’s more, it backs up its claims with stats, proof and traceability. TALA offers sustainable sportswear in an industry where it’s often difficult to find the truth.

The future of TALA

So, what does the future hold for TALA sportswear? Although the brand has started on a good foot, it still has ways to go to achieve its truly impressive ambitions.

It’s continuously investing in new ways to become a genuinely circular business, eliminating and minimising waste at every opportunity. Sustainability is always at the forefront of all the decisions made.

New packaging options are also on the horizon to further develop its sustainable polybags and paper packaging range.

In short, TALA is headed in the right direction. If it keeps on the same path and prioritises the planet over popularity, the brand can change the perception of fashion for good.

Sustainable sportswear is growing

Making small changes towards sustainability can make a big difference over time. Sustainable packaging and trims are a great place to start. 

Whether you want to up the sustainability credentials of your packaging and trims or seek inspiration, our sportswear hub has everything you need. Get access below.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦