Our Sourcing & Production Values
At Noralee, we're intentional about every step of the journey—from sourcing high-quality materials to ensuring ethical production practices. We believe in crafting pieces that are not only effortlessly stylish but also built to last, with care and respect for the people who make them and the planet we all share.
Ethical Sourcing & Transparency
At Noralee, we’re passionate about people and committed to transparency in production. We work closely with our on-the-ground merchandising team, who regularly check in with our factories and stay in constant contact with us about sourcing. These personal relationships are important to us, and we make frequent visits to ensure everything is made to the highest standards.
All our designs are created in California and made in China, partnering with factories that sign a strict code of conduct prohibiting child labor, forced work, and ensuring fair wages. Our main manufacturing partner, with over 30,000 employees, has been sourcing top-quality brands since 1992 and specializes in children’s apparel. In 2018, the factory that produces our products was recognized by China’s National Federation of Industry and Commerce for outstanding social responsibility.
Certified Social Responsibility
Whenever possible, we prioritize working with WRAP-certified factories, which represent the largest independent certification program for the apparel and footwear sectors. WRAP certification involves a collaborative process focused on ethics and social responsibility, requiring facilities to engage actively in compliance with 12 core principles. This ensures that effective management systems are in place to meet compliance requirements.
Additionally, all our factories are certified by either BCI or BSCI, which aim to improve cotton production globally by addressing its negative impacts. Through these certifications and audits, our factory partners commit to measurable improvements benefiting the environment, farming communities, and the economies of cotton-producing areas. We proudly share this commitment within a global community dedicated to responsible production practices.
Chemical Free Premium Fabrics
We only source fabrics that meet a list of Rylee & Cru Collective requirements to be safe, natural, and premium. This means that every piece of fabric that goes into a Rylee & Cru, Quincy Mae, Noralee, or Play garment or accessory must be:
Sustainably made - Ethically made - Made of natural fibers (When possible for Composition) - Made with natural dyes (Whenever Possible) - Free of antimicrobial chemicals - Free of formaldehyde - Free of pesticides - Free of phthalates - Free of PFCs - Free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - Free of VOCs
Sustainability Initiatives
All Noralee packaging (polybags / hangtags) are all recyclable. Since most of the apparel industry contributes to piles of unnecessary trash, packaging is a little thing that makes a huge difference. In an intentional effort to push back against creating waste that we can easily avoid, all of our outer elements protecting the garments can be put straight into your recycling bin at home.
By sourcing only the best cotton and materials we can share with you longer lasting, better washing garments and accessories that aren't disposable. We believe that cherished baby garments should be worn, well-loved, and then shared with others, not thrown away wastefully. This is why as a brand an emphasis is put on producing better quality, and longer lasting, products that live on beyond the initial wear and tear that endearing garments face.
Apparel for Good
As a small business, we think we can use apparel as a tool to help others so our heart is to give whenever and wherever we can. Find out more about the initiatives we support as a brand through giving here.