L.K.Bennett
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
London women's label selling dresses, tailoring and shoes.
There's no proof L.K.Bennett pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Better-graded footwear
Graded higher than L.K.Bennett, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent L.K.Bennett? Send a right of reply.
Compare L.K.Bennett with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsSome of its products are made in countries such as China and India, where 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
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton and leather
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made partly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
L.K.Bennett names some of the countries it makes in: Spain, China, Italy, Portugal, North Macedonia, Romania, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Lithuania, India, Türkiye and Austria. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Türkiye | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Spain | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Italy | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Portugal | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| North Macedonia | Systematic violations | Not rated | Very high |
| Romania | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| United Kingdom | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Bulgaria | Regular violations | Below a living wage | High |
| Lithuania | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Austria | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Doesn't show where its leather comes from. Leather is linked to hazardous tannery work and forced labour on some cattle ranches, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes The countries shown come from L.K.Bennett's 2019/20 modern slavery statement, its latest: 44 suppliers at 72 sites in 13 countries, led by Spain, China and Italy. It based its code on the ETI Base Code but published no supplier list or living wage commitment. After administration in January 2026, Gordon Brothers bought only the brand and closed the stores and website. New products will be made by licensees, starting with Titan Industries' footwear for North America from 2027; where they will be made is not disclosed.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Its latest published modern slavery statement covers the year to February 2020, with production split by country for 2019. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not listed | Not rated in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (or the 2024 edition). View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Listed | Company profile lists no labour abuse stories and no response requests. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- LK Bennett stores at risk following acquisition out of administration by Gordon Brothers (FashionUnited, 2026) · search the archive · Gordon Brothers bought brand and IP only in January 2026; stores left in administration
- LK Bennett set for category and market expansion as IMG takes on global licensing (FashionUnited, Sept 2026) · search the archive · IMG is global licensing agency; stores and website shut; first licensed products expected in 2027
- LK Bennett's website to shut in the next few days (TheIndustry.fashion, 2026) · search the archive · Website closing April 2026; asset-light model planned
Published by L.K.Bennett or its owner
- Modern Slavery Statement 2019/2020 (L.K.Bennett) · search the archive · 2019 volume by country: Spain 31.7%, China 29.2%, Italy 12.5%; 44 suppliers, 72 sites; ETI Base Code; independent audits
- L.K.Bennett home page · search the archive · Site shows only 'full website coming soon'; nothing for sale online
- Gordon Brothers expands LK Bennett with first North American licensee (July 2026) · search the archive · Titan Industries to design and distribute LK Bennett women's footwear in the US and Canada; shipments from February 2027
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is L.K.Bennett ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/lk-bennett, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent L.K.Bennett.