Passion Lilie Reflects and Looks Ahead

As 2024 winds down, we’re reflecting on the year that was. And wow – what a year. It’s hard to believe that the same year that held the presidential election also graced us with the Olympics, The Tortured Poet’s Department, and Ryan Gosling’s Oscar performance of I’m Just Ken. Overall, it’s been a difficult year for small businesses everywhere – but there have been many bright moments, too. We’ll never be able to adequately express how much we appreciate you for supporting our work through your purchases, reviews, and engagement on social media. It’s an absolute honor to share this planet and work toward are more sustainable fashion industry with you.

One of our ongoing promises to you is transparency. Here’s a look at what we accomplished in 2024 and what’s on the horizon for 2025.

2024 Highlights: Leading the Way in Sustainable Fashion 

✔Launching our first Fully GOTS-Certified Collection

This spring, we achieved a major milestone with our first collection made entirely of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton and 100% azo-free dyes. GOTS is the leading global standard for organic textiles, ensuring the highest levels of environmental and social responsibility. Additionally, our dyes are now 100% natural for exceptional gentleness on the environment and your skin.

✔Sustainable Production Practices

Each year, we push a little further in our sustainability initiatives. Our products are hand-washed in waterways to reduce water usage and waste, and artisans craft each piece by hand, incorporating upcycled fabric scraps into new designs.

Our production process is powered by 90% solar energy, and our block printing unit operates carbon neutrally. Once our products are ready for shipping, they’re packaged in recyclable and reusable paper bags. Our mailers are made from 100% recycled content and all tags are attached with a small piece of twine. All of our products are compostable at the end of their lifecycles.

✔Progress Toward Carbon Neutrality

We’ve made great strides in our goal to become carbon neutral. This year, we kept all manufacturing operations within a 50-kilometer radius to minimize emissions. We’ve partnered with a team at Grow Ahead, an organization working to address the challenges of climate change, to recalculate our carbon impact and identify actionable solutions.

Recognizing shipping emissions are a significant challenge, we’ve set ambitious goals to offset and eliminate this footprint.

✔Empowering People Through Ethical Practices

People are the heart of Passion Lilie. In 2024, we continued to offer true living wages, overtime pay, paid vacation, sick leave, government holidays, low-to-no-interest loans, and a safe working environment.  As a Fair Trade Federation-certified brand, we’re proud to ensure that every garment you purchase is made by people who are compensated fairly and treated respectfully in their workplace.

We’re proud of the work we accomplished in 2024 and eager to get started on big things for 2025. We’re bringing you our prettiest spring collection ever, moving the needle even further on sustainability initiatives, and continuing to provide safe, well-paying jobs for people both here in the US and in India. 

1. Expanding our Sustainability Initiatives
   Sustainability remains our guiding principle. Each year, we push the goalposts a little further, reaching new milestones in our quest for sustainability. This year, we’ll refine our carbon footprint calculations, introduce eco-shipping options through carbon offsets, and publish detailed packaging information for greater transparency. We’re also excited to launch a pre-loved platform to close the loop and promote a circular fashion economy.
   
   Our pre-loved platform is one of the initiatives we’re most excited about. This program will allow customers to sell back their Passion Lilie products that no longer fit or suit their needs. In turn, they’ll receive credit to invest in new Passion Lilie pieces they’ll love, reducing waste and extending the life of our garments.
   
   We’re also excited to share that our also our French Quarter shop will host clothing swaps to build community and reduce textile waste. These events will welcome any clothing brand, not just Passion Lilie pieces. 

2. Elevating Customer Experiences
   Customer service is always a top priority. We love our customers and we’re so grateful for your continued support. We strive to respond to your messages quickly – usually within hours if not minutes. In 2025, we aim to reduce returns through flawless packaging and prompt shipping while building stronger relationships with our customers – both online and in our French Quarter shop.
   
   
3. Boosting Community Engagement
   After a year of slow sales for many small businesses, one of our top goals is to increase sales and foot traffic in our French Quarter shop. We plan to invite tourists and locals to the shop for events and workshops like bracelet making, candle pouring, and other textile crafts. Interested in sharing your talents? We’d love to collaborate with you!

4. Amplifying Social Media Connections
   In 2025, we’ll focus on sharing even more inspiring content on sustainability, ethical consumption, and the fashion industry. Follow us for outfit inspiration, behind-the-scenes stories, and collaborations with our favorite sustainable brands and influencers. Don’t forget to tag us in your Passion Lilie looks – we’d love to see how you style them!

Thank You for Supporting Sustainable Fashion

As we celebrate 2024’s achievements and look forward to what’s ahead, we’re reminded that none of this would be possible without you. Together, we’re making a real impact—creating beautiful, sustainable clothing while championing fair trade values and ethical practices. Here’s to another year of progress, innovation, and community. Let’s make 2025 our best year yet!