Sustainable Design & Fashion Tour: This Time in Prague’s Letná

Together with our Master’s students in the Economics and Sustainable Management programme at NEWTON University, we held our second hands-on field workshop as part of the summer semester. The goal was to introduce local entrepreneurs and curators who are successfully building their brands on ethical and ecological values.

Here are the key moments and inspirations from the brands we visited:

Ferdinand.: Local resilience in practice

This specialized studio shows that even an everyday item like socks can be elevated to a sustainable design piece. Ferdinand. (formerly We Are Ferdinand) was founded by Salvátor Soška, a graduate of NEWTON University. The topic that interested students the most was how to build a company with a turnover of 38 million crowns based on organic growth.

• Key approach: Emphasis on local European (specifically Czech) production, through which the brand minimizes its carbon footprint.
• Interesting fact: Ferdinand proves that material quality and innovative design go hand in hand with responsibility.
• Stable pillars: The brand’s B2B segment acts as a financial anchor—it uses the same high-quality materials as the creative B2C collections and stabilizes the business for further innovation.

Freshlabels: Pioneers of transparency

A pioneer in so-called “sustainable curation.”

• Impact Rating: The brand uses a strict and transparent system to assess the environmental and social impact of every product they offer.
• Philosophy: Freshlabels proves that design, quality, and sustainability are not mutually exclusive—they are the three pillars of a modern, conscious lifestyle.

NILA: How to scale “slow fashion”

NILA shows how to grow from a small boutique into a market leader while staying true to its values.

• Supply Chain Control: Their own brand, NILAlabel, gives them full control over the origin of materials and fair working conditions.
• The Growth Paradox: They successfully tackle a business challenge, motivating customers to “buy less, but better,” thereby turning a one-time purchase into a long-term investment.

Dark Concept Store: Independent designers’ paradise

A space connecting contemporary aesthetics with ethical responsibility.

• Key approach: Showcasing independent designers who prioritize longevity and slow production cycles.
• Interesting fact: Their philosophy is to forge their own path and not strive at all costs to be in the mainstream spotlight.

Neumělkyně: upcycling & creativity

A creative studio that is the heart of the upcycling movement. Its founder, Joana Santarius, laid the groundwork for it while studying at NEWTON University.

• Key approach: Transforming discarded textiles into unique, handmade fashion pieces.
• Interesting fact: The brand directly challenges the 'disposable clothing' culture and demonstrates the value that waste can hold. Joana’s creations are timeless, comfortable, and I still enjoy them.

Sustainability in 2026 isn’t just about “green” labels. As our tour showed, it’s about sound financial management, local partnerships, and the courage to grow with integrity.

Thank you to all the creators and founders for their openness. For our students, this experience serves as an excellent 'roadmap' for future careers in sustainable management.

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