JAN ‘N JUNE

In the summer of 2013, the idea behind sustainable fashion brand Jan N’ June was conceptualized over a bottle of wine. But the plan to build a chic, sustainable, and affordable fashion label was no idle talk. Now in 2020, their products are sold in more than 70 stores across Europe. With its impressive arsenal of stylish options for women and even an intention to infiltrate men’s fashion, Jan N’ June is well on its way to making a splash in the eco fashion scene.   
Behind its success is the power duo of Anna Bornowski and Juliana Holtzheimer. In an interview, they revealed that they have decided to actualize their plan after visiting the Ethical Fashion Show in Berlin. Driven by the desire to fill the void in the market for ecologically-conscious garments, the two eventually released minimalistic sustainable clothing using certified materials.


Transparency is key 
Like most sustainable fashion brands, transparency is a big part of Jan N’ June’s brand philosophy. Most of their production is based in Wroclaw, Poland in a family-owned factory. This allows them to closely monitor their supply line and ensure topnotch quality in each of their products.
In keeping with their transparency ethos, each of their products have a QR code which allows customers to see the specific processes that their piece went through before acquiring them. Called the ECO-ID, this QR code is the virtual ‘passport’ of the item, containing every information from the source of the materials used to the line that manufactured the product.  
Jan N’ June is also proud of using materials that follow the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). GOTS-certified products contain a minimum of 70% organic fibres and are manufactured through ethical production practices. The brand also uses materials that follow the IVN BEST (Internationaler Verband Naturtextilindustrie) and the Oekotex®-Standard 100.
Made with Love
Jan N’ June offers a wide variety of pieces, from t-shirts, blouses, blazers, accessories, jewelry, and others. Each of these pieces have been crafted from a wide variety of sustainably-produced materials. For instance, their Leon Long Sleeves and their Turtle Net Bag are both made of organic cotton. They also use Tencel, also known by its generic name Lyocell, for its strong fibril structure and remarkable moisture-absorbing properties. Their Ely Sleepy Blous and Como Twill Pants are both made out of Tencel.
Recyling and upcycling is also part and parcel of their material sourcing strategy. For instance, they use recycled polyamide mixed with 35% of elastane. Recycled plastic waste from oceans and old fishing nets are the primary sources of their plastic. This is the primary material used in their Swedish stockings and their Weedon blazer, among others.


Zero waste and changemakers 
Also worth mentioning is their use of Tenowa or “textile-no-waste” from their Portuguese supplier Riopele. This textile is made from production leftovers and has been awarded with a “Sustainable Product“ prize from the Portuguese technology institute Citeve. Tenowa is used prominently in their Cleo skirt and their Vincenza blouse.
Jan N’ June also features “Eco Changemakers” in their website’s blog to highlight the efforts of inspiring individuals in the field of sustainable fashion. For instance, they featured Stephanie van den Sigtenhorst of “Let’s Talk Slow” to know more about her personal life and how she cultivated her interests in slow fashion, sustainability, and other related concerns.

Jula, one of the Jan N’ June’s founders, have some wise words to share with us: “We spend a lot of time in our clothes and our largest organ - the skin - is directly exposed to it.” Indeed, it is time for us to be more conscious and assertive regarding our clothes, in the same way that we demand truth and accountability for our food. Hopefully, Jan N’ June’s efforts should steer us towards that direction.