Sustainability

Behind the Label with Natasha Beland, founder of EtoilePro: her journey to building a luxury dance and activewear brand focused on our health and the planet.

Can you start by telling us what makes ÉtoilePro an eco-conscious brand?

At ÉtoilePro, sustainability is at the core of our brand. Every decision we make—from the materials we select to our production processes—is guided by the impact on both people and the planet. My personal journey began as a professional ballet dancer, where I was always mindful of my health and how what I put on my body affected my well-being. After facing health issues that forced me to step away from dance, I became increasingly aware of the harmful chemicals present in much of the clothing we wear, particularly in performance and activewear.

This discovery opened my eyes to how challenging it is to find truly non-toxic options, and I realised I wanted to create something different—luxury dancewear that doesn’t compromise on health or sustainability. That’s how ÉtoilePro came to life.

However, sustainability is an ongoing effort. From sourcing responsible materials to using eco-friendly production methods and ensuring our packaging is as low-impact as possible, we’re committed to improving constantly. While no system is perfect, our goal is to make dancewear that’s beautiful, durable, and better for both our customers and the environment.

Tell us a little more about your products and the fabrics they are made from.

A key part of our approach is ensuring all our fabrics are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified. That certification guarantees our fabrics are free from harmful chemicals, which not only makes them safer for the people wearing them but also for the workers involved in production. It’s a big part of our commitment to non-toxic, healthier clothing. Beyond that, we’ve incorporated biodegradable elastane and nylon in some of our pieces, so while they perform at a high level, they’re a bit gentler on the environment too. We’re always looking for materials that offer both comfort and sustainability.

How do you balance durability with sustainability?

That’s so important! Sustainability isn’t just about the materials—it’s also about creating products that last. Our pieces are designed to be durable and stand the test of time, which reduces waste because people don’t need to keep replacing them. We want to ensure it not only looks good but also holds up to the wear dancers and athletes put it through.

Why do you still use synthetic fibers in your products?

That’s a great question. While we’d love to avoid synthetic fibers completely, they’re essential for creating high-performance activewear. They provide the stretch, durability, and comfort that dancers need. However, we’re mindful of their environmental impact. The mill we work with uses advanced technologies, like dope dyeing, in some of the fabrics, which helps reduce water and energy consumption. And in a few of our products, we use biodegradable synthetics, which break down much faster than traditional materials and don’t release harmful chemicals into the soil. While we still rely on synthetics for performance, we’re focused on making them as eco-friendly as we can.

How do you reduce the environmental impact of your manufacturing process, and what certifications support your eco-friendly claims?

We work with an incredible mill in Italy that’s really committed to sustainability. While ÉtoilePro doesn’t hold certifications directly, the mill we partner with does. They’re Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 and Bluesign® certified, which ensures the fabrics we use are free from harmful chemicals and meet strict environmental and social standards. The mill also holds ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications, which means they’ve made big strides in reducing water and energy consumption and cutting down on waste. It’s a partnership that aligns perfectly with our values, and it gives us confidence in the sustainability of our materials and processes.

Can you tell us about your approach to ethical production?

Definitely. We believe sustainability means more than just using eco-friendly materials—it’s also about ethical and mindful production. That’s why we manufacture locally in Spain, ensuring fair labour practices and strict adherence to European environmental standards. We’ve embraced a slow fashion model where we only produce items once enough people have expressed interest. This approach allows us to avoid overproduction and waste, two major issues in the fashion industry. By creating products based on actual demand, we’re able to reduce our environmental impact while delivering what our customers truly want.

What about the end-of-life impact of your products? How do you handle that?

We think about the entire lifecycle of our products, including what happens after they’re worn out. We give detailed care instructions to help extend the life of each piece, which is important for reducing waste. We also encourage customers to recycle or repurpose their old items.

Can you explain BioBack and Dope Dyeing technology?

Bioback is a technology using advanced biodegradable yarns, designed to address the critical issue of what happens to garments at the end of their life. These materials break down naturally, without releasing harmful chemicals into the environment, ensuring a more eco-friendly disposal process. Dope dyeing is an eco-friendly process where pigments are added to the raw material before fibres are formed, resulting in significantly lower water usage compared to traditional dyeing techniques, while maintaining the same high-quality fabric performance.

Is your packaging eco-friendly as well?

Yes, it is! All packaging is made from fully recyclable materials, and it’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®). We’ve eliminated plastic from our packaging because we’re committed to sustainability from the very beginning of the product’s life to the very end. Every detail counts, and packaging is a big part of that.

WE CARE

A HEALTHIER PLANET MEANS A HEALTHIER YOU

From sourcing our fabrics to delivering our products to you, every decision is made with meticulous care to ensure minimal impact on the environment.

  • OEKO-TEX ®  FABRICS

    Our fabrics are certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, ensuring textiles have been tested for harmful substances and are non-toxic, meeting strict standards for human safety.

  • BLUESIGN ®  FABRICS

    The majority of our fabrics also benefit from the Bluesign® label that certifies health, environmental and social practices throughout the entire production process.

  • PRODUCED IN EUROPE

    Produced in Europe to minimise environmental impact and ensure adherence to strict European employment rights.

  • SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

    All our packaging is made from fully recyclable materials, that are FSC® certified and are reusable or recyclable, reducing environmental impact.

  • SLOW FASHION

    We use a blend of make-to-order and make-for-sale models to ensure efficient, sustainable production and avoid waste.