DESIGN & PRODUCTON

NEEDS AND FUNCTIONALITY

Our products and designs are not geared towards short-term trends, but are instead designed to be used across trends, seasons, and years. We do this to ensure that our products can be used all year round, igen and igen.

At IGEN, we always try to incorporate multifunctionality into our products. We believe that if a product can meet several needs at the same time, we have hopefully reduced the need for another product.

PRODUCTION

When we develop new products, we always start with a need, either our own, from our community, or from our retailers. Therefore, during the design phase, we often share prototypes on social media to get input and ensure that the product meets multiple needs. Even when statistics point in one direction, we ask a wide range of people to get a more nuanced picture.

When we initiate a new production run, we generally base it on the manufacturer's minimum order quantities – even if it’s not always the most cost-effective solution, or we strongly believe in the product ourselves. This allows us to produce in smaller quantities that we can test with you and adjust continuously. That's why you may sometimes find that a product sells out quickly. At the same time, this approach ensures that we don't put pressure on our suppliers.

Even after we have started on a production run, we are not afraid to improve the next one. All our decisions are based on a combination of feedback, sales data, and retailer demand, so they can be continuously adapted and optimized.

We do this because we want to develop products with longevity in mind. That's why we rarely make limited editions but focus on styles that will be a permanent part of our product range. Once a product has been tested and optimized, we order larger batches that can be shipped and stored for a longer period of time. This helps us avoid unnecessary air freight.

MATERIALS & CERTIFICATIONS

We work with recycled materials whenever possible and prioritize solutions with documented content and better traceability. We are constantly exploring and reviewing new materials and treatments that can extend the life of our products, while also meeting relevant certifications.

We use certifications such as GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and OEKO-TEX®. GRS includes traceability of recycled content, supply chain control, and social requirements. OEKO-TEX® involves testing for toxic chemicals in textiles. Read about all our certifications here.

We never use leather, animal skins, fur, or feathers sourced from animals. Information about materials can always be found under each individual product.

DATE MARKINGS

At IGEN, we are motivated to create high-quality products that will last for many years. To support this idea, we have introduced manufacturing date markings on products with tags or labels that are produced after the summer of 2024.

The marking shows when the product was made, as a reminder of the product's origin, lifespan, and history. For us, it's all about taking responsibility for creating sustainable solutions that can be used igen and igen.

MORE INITIATIVES

Product handling and unisex

At IGEN, we ensure that fully functional products and leftover stock are never wasted. If a product is defective, it is always handled responsibly through proper waste sorting. We take responsibility for our production and give the products a second chance. Products that cannot be sold at a reduced price are either upcycled or recycled, never thrown away.

All approved product samples that we receive at the office are used for photo shoots and in our showroom. When they are no longer needed here, they are sold as clearance items or donated so that they can still be put to good use. The same applies to other usable product samples.

For photo shoots of new products, we usually include earlier products. We do this to show how our products and designs can be combined across different collections and to remind people that something that is still useful and good does not lose its value just because it is no longer new. We know that many people naturally gravitate towards trends and the latest products, but we want to inspire people to use their things igen and igen, even when they have been sitting in the closet for a while. The same applies to our social media, where we continue to showcase and reuse products from previous collections.

Our accessories are unisex and created with the ambition of being usable by everyone. When sizes are necessary, such as for belts, we have sizes ranging from XS to 5XL. If your belt has become too big, we can guide you on how to make extra holes yourself. See here.

As a small business, we cannot cover all sizes, but we are constantly working to become more inclusive. We welcome your feedback if you experience challenges with fit or size.