Charles & Keith
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 6 sources
Singapore label selling women's shoes, handbags and accessories.
We couldn't confirm where Charles & Keith makes most of its women's shoes, bags and accessories.
Also worth knowing
Most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere clothes and shoes are usually made, such as China and Bangladesh, unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: leather
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, probably mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Charles & Keith makes most of its products, so this shows where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bangladesh | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Cambodia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses leather in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its leather comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
Research notes Charles & Keith does not publish a supplier list or name the countries where its products are made; its ethical supply chain page shows only a world map image with no text or figures. Its 2025 supplier code of conduct bans forced and child labour, requires at least the legal minimum wage and allows group or third-party audits, but it names no audit scheme, reports no audit results and has no living wage commitment or modern slavery statement. It uses both faux and genuine leather, with genuine leather mainly in its L'INITIAL line, and its leather suppliers are LWG audited, which does not show where hides come from.
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Charles & Keith (Good On You) · search the archive · Rated 'Not good enough' for people; not taking adequate steps on living wages; uses leather
Published by Charles & Keith or its owner
- Ethical Supply Chain (Charles & Keith Group) · search the archive · Code of conduct covers forced labour; manufacturing map image only; no supplier list, countries or audit results in text
- Charles & Keith Supplier Code of Conduct 2025 · search the archive · Minimum or prevailing wage required; audits by the group or a third party; subcontracting needs approval
- What You Wear (Charles & Keith Group) · search the archive · 100% of leather suppliers audited to LWG standards; goal to trace all leather to source by 2025
- Products and pricing FAQ (Charles & Keith) · search the archive · Uses genuine leather, faux leather and synthetic fabrics; most L'INITIAL designs are genuine leather
- Brand profile (Charles & Keith) · search the archive · Founded 1996 in Singapore; nearly 700 stores in over 30 countries; fully owned by the Wong family
Company details
- Headquarters
- Singapore
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Charles & Keith ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/charles-and-keith, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded footwear
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Charles & Keith.