Today, when faced with the term “circularity” in the textile industry, our minds oftentimes just jump to recycled plastics – accessories like bags or coats made from recycled poly-fibres or social plastics. Ever so often, circularity is overlooked when it comes to natural fibres.
At Global Standard, we believe that true sustainability is circular and that what comes from the earth should one day return to it without leaving harmful residues. Few brands embody this idea as naturally as Nordlicht, a GOTS-certified label founded by the two friends Maritta and Nico in Germany. Their vision has always been to create fashion that feels as good as it looks: clothing which connects lifestyle, responsibility and respect for the planet.
“We believe that fashion is only truly sustainable if it is worn for a long time and can return to the natural cycle at the end of its life. High-quality, natural fabrics are the basis for this.”
From the very beginning, Nordlicht’s collections have been built on a simple principle which encapsulates the idea of using what nature gives and to give back gently. The team works exclusively mainly, wherever possible, with natural, biodegradable materials such as organic cotton, linen, lyocell and wool, carefully chosen not only for their softness and durability but for their ability to decompose harmlessly at the end of their life. These fabrics exist in balance with the earth: they can be worn, cherished and ultimately returned to the soil, completing a natural cycle of renewal. In this way, Nordlicht shows that clothing doesn’t have to end as waste, but it can return to where it began – a belief that is all too often forgotten or not seen in nowadays’ fast-paced world full of overconsumption and short trends.
Circular thinking also shapes how the brand designs and produces. Nordlicht’s garments are intentionally timeless and made to be repaired, not replaced. Each piece is produced in Portugal under socially responsible working conditions, ensuring that the people behind the products are valued as much as the materials themselves. This combination of fairness, transparency and durability transforms every product into a quiet statement against the throwaway culture of fast fashion.
When Nordlicht became GOTS-certified in 2024, it wasn’t to chase a trend but to confirm a commitment. As the founders put it, “Since our beginning, fair, ecological, and transparent production hasn’t been an option. It’s a prerequisite.” The certification brought structure and accountability to what they were already practicing, helping them refine internal processes, strengthen supplier relationships and communicate their values with even greater clarity. It gave measurable proof to what Nordlicht has always stood for: responsibility for people, the environment and the product itself.
Nordlicht’s story reminds us that circular fashion isn’t an abstract concept or a distant goal. Every fibre, every stitch, every garment can be part of a living cycle that nourishes rather than depletes. Through brands like Nordlicht, GOTS continues to show that when sustainability is integrated into the fabric of design itself!
