Araks
Rated: Good
Price: $$$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Araks is best for discerning women seeking luxury lingerie and swimwear with genuine ethical credentials and 25 years of heritage. The brand stands out for 100% NYC-based manufacturing in women-owned and minority-owned facilities, innovative use of REFIBRA upcycled cotton and ECONYL regenerated nylon, and strong environmental and labour practices. Caveats include luxury-tier pricing (bras $50-$175, silk pajamas up to $395), no B Corp certification, no published carbon footprint, and no confirmed living wage assurance.
Key info
- Headquarters
- New York City, USA
- Founded
- 2000
- Product categories
- Underwear, Swimwear
- Price range
- $$$
- Key certifications
- GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GRS; supplier-level REACH, ISO 14001, EPD certifications
Araks sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Exceptional material portfolio: GOTS-certified organic cotton from Spain/Turkey, REFIBRA upcycled cotton (70% organic + 30% upcycled, 99%+ solvent recovery), RECONYL recycled power mesh (47% less CO₂), ECONYL regenerated nylon from ocean/landfill waste (~50% of swim), stretch lace from France, silk from Korea. Multiple certifications (GOTS, OEKO-TEX, GRS).
100% cut and sewn in New York City in women-owned and minority-owned facilities. Has supported the launch of three women-owned production facilities in NYC. However, no evidence of formal living wage assurance exists.
Strong material choices significantly reduce environmental impact: REFIBRA's closed-loop process, RECONYL's 47% CO₂ reduction, ECONYL from waste nylon. Local manufacturing reduces shipping emissions. Textile offcuts recycled. However, no brand-level carbon footprint report or formal climate targets.
Impressively detailed materials documentation on website with specific sourcing origins for each fabric. Manufacturing location fully disclosed. CFDA member since 2008. No published sustainability report or full supplier list beyond fabric sources.
Luxury pricing (panties $20–$70, bras $50–$175, silk pajamas up to $395, swim $120–$395) reflects NYC manufacturing and premium certified materials. Strong value for the ethical luxury segment, but inaccessible for many consumers.
What they do well
- 100% NYC manufacturing in women-owned facilities — Every piece is cut and sewn in New York City, and the brand has directly supported the launch of three women-owned production facilities—a rare commitment to local, ethical manufacturing.
- Innovative sustainable materials: Uses REFIBRA upcycled cotton (closed-loop, 99%+ solvent recovery), RECONYL recycled power mesh (47% less CO₂), and ECONYL regenerated nylon from ocean and landfill waste for ~50% of swimwear.
- 25 years of consistent ethical operation — Founded in 2000, Araks has maintained its sustainability commitments for a quarter-century. One of the longest-running ethical luxury lingerie brands. CFDA member since 2008.
- Dedicated breast care collection: Offers post-surgery lingerie designed with the same luxury aesthetic and sustainable materials as the main line, serving an underserved market.
Room for improvement
- No living wage assurance: Despite NYC manufacturing under strong US labor laws, there is no evidence of formal living wage guarantee across the supply chain.
- No carbon footprint reporting or climate targets: For a 25-year-old brand with strong material credentials, the absence of brand-level emissions data and formal reduction targets is a notable gap.
About Araks
Araks was founded in 2000 by Araks Yeramyan, an Armenian-American designer and Parsons/Central Saint Martins graduate who previously worked at Marc Jacobs and J.Crew. The brand is headquartered in New York City with a private salon at 137 Grand Street, SoHo. It remains founder-owned with no outside investors or parent company, and has been a CFDA member since 2008.
What sets Araks apart is that 100% of the collection is cut and sewn in New York City, in women-owned and minority-owned manufacturing facilities. The brand has supported the launch of three women-owned production facilities in NYC. Fabrics are sourced globally. Organic cotton from Spain and Turkey, stretch lace from France, recycled power mesh from Belgium, silk from Korea, ECONYL regenerated nylon from Italy, and woven organic cotton from Japan. Product categories span lingerie, swimwear (launched 2013), loungewear/sleepwear, and a dedicated breast care collection for post-surgery customers.
Materials are impressively detailed: GOTS-certified organic cotton rib from Spain with zero wastewater; REFIBRA upcycled cotton (70% organic cotton + 30% upcycled) in a closed-loop process recovering 99%+ solvents; RECONYL recycled power mesh from Belgium producing 47% less CO₂ than conventional nylon; and ECONYL regenerated nylon from ocean/landfill waste for ~50% of the swim collection. Celebrity devotees include Sofia Coppola, Lorde, Alexa Chung, and Zoe Kravitz.
Product highlights
Antonia Bralette
Organic cotton bralette available in multiple colours including D-cup variants, cut and sewn in NYC
~$70–$110
Core piece combining GOTS-certified organic cotton with NYC manufacturing in women-owned facilities
Luna One Piece
Swimsuit in ECONYL regenerated nylon from ocean and landfill waste
~$395
Showcases the brand's most innovative material. Regenerated waste nylon. In their highest-end swim piece
Aaron Panty
Silk panty available in multiple colourways (Bare, Juicy, Peekaboo), full size range XX-Small to X-Large
~$60–$110
Accessible entry point to the collection; silk and REFIBRA options available
Ally Pajama Pant
Silk loungewear pant made entirely in New York City
~$425
Brand's most luxurious offering, reflecting the full NYC-made ethical luxury positioning
