The Citizenry
Rated: Great
Price: $$$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Best for design-conscious consumers seeking ethically crafted, artisan-made home goods with cultural stories behind each piece. What stands out is their status as the largest U.S. home retailer with 100% of products made under World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) audited standards, paying artisans 2× the fair trade wage requirement. The significant caveat: Trustpilot rates them just 2.5/5 with persistent complaints about shipping delays, unfulfilled orders, and poor customer service, a serious friction point for a premium brand.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Dallas, Texas, USA
- Founded
- 2014
- Product categories
- Lifestyle
- Price range
- $$$
- Key certifications
- WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) for 100% of products, GOTS-certified organic cotton bedding, OEKO-TEX certified nontoxic textiles, FSC/SVLK certified responsibly sourced wood, Cruelty-Free
The Citizenry sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses Peruvian alpaca, French flax linen (woven at Portugal's oldest family-run mill), Japanese hinoki wood, Indonesian rattan, Turkish long-staple cotton, and Mexican natural dyes. Bedding is GOTS-certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX certified nontoxic, Sources from 23 countries with small-batch, artisan techniques.
Industry-leading. 100% WFTO-audited fair trade across every product. Pays artisans 2× fair trade wage requirements on average, Works with 3,938 artisan partners (61% women). Has invested $40.3 million in artisan communities through Entrepreneur Development Grants.
Low-impact by nature, handcrafted, small-batch production with natural materials and dyes. However, no published carbon footprint data, no formal impact report, no circularity program, and no science-based targets. Environmental benefits are inherent to their craft model rather than proactively measured.
Exceptional artisan-level transparency with named workshops, detailed bios, country-of-origin info, and a "Shop the Country" feature. However, no formal supply chain map, no published sustainability report, and no third-party sustainability audits beyond WFTO.
Premium pricing (sheets $289–$399, throws $175–$409, rugs $869–$2,174+). Competitive with Parachute and Coyuchi for comparable artisan quality. DTC model keeps prices below traditional boutiques, but some reviewers report quality issues relative to price point.
What they do well
- 100% WFTO-audited fair trade: the only large U.S. home retailer where every product meets independently audited World Fair Trade Organization standards
- Above-and-beyond artisan compensation: $40.3M invested in artisan communities, with 10% of proceeds reinvested through Entrepreneur Development Grants
- Deep artisan storytelling: every product links to named workshops with cultural context, production processes, and maker bios across 23 countries
- Strong certifications stack: GOTS (organic cotton), OEKO-TEX (nontoxic), FSC/SVLK (responsible wood), plus overarching WFTO fair trade guarantee
- Women's economic empowerment: 61% of 3,938 artisan partners are female entrepreneurs; recognized by Fast Company's 2023 "Brands That Matter" Awards
Room for improvement
- No independent sustainability watchdog rating, not rated by major independent sustainability assessors, Remake, or similar organizations. No B Corp certification. Sustainability claims rest primarily on WFTO affiliation and self-reported metrics.
- Limited environmental data and no circularity, no published carbon footprint, no formal sustainability report, no science-based emissions targets, no end-of-life program (resale, repair, recycling). Environmental claims are qualitative rather than quantified.
About The Citizenry
The Citizenry was founded in 2014 by college friends Rachel Bentley and Carly Nance after they became frustrated with mass-produced home goods and inspired by artisan crafts discovered during their travels, Based in Dallas, Texas, the brand operates as a direct-to-consumer platform connecting consumers with master artisans in 23 countries, including Peru, Portugal, Japan, Morocco, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Mali, and Uganda.
Core certifications include WFTO for 100% of products, GOTS-certified organic cotton bedding, OEKO-TEX-certified nontoxic textiles, and FSC/SVLK-certified responsibly sourced wood. Key materials span Peruvian alpaca, French flax linen woven at Portugal's Machado Linen Mill, Japanese hinoki, and naturally dyed Mexican textiles, all produced through traditional, small-batch techniques.
In 2021, the brand raised $20 million in Series B funding—in 2024, it was acquired by Havenly, an AI-driven interior design platform. Rachel Bentley remains as president. The brand has a New York flagship (22 Crosby Street, SoHo) and a Denver location.
Shipping is free within the continental U.S. with 7–10 business day delivery for in-stock items. Returns are accepted within 30 days; exchanges and store credit returns are free, while refunds carry restocking fees ($10–$50 depending on product). Pricing is premium, comparable to Parachute Home and Coyuchi, though the DTC model positions prices below traditional artisan boutiques.
Product highlights
Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set
100% French flax linen, stonewashed, woven at Portugal's oldest family-run linen mill; OEKO-TEX certified
$289–$399
Best-selling product line; sustainably produced under fair trade standards
Handwoven Alpaca Throw
Handwoven by master artisans in the Peruvian Andes using baby alpaca wool; hypoallergenic
$175–$409
Iconic product; traditional weaving techniques supporting Andean cooperatives
Stonewashed Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set
GOTS-certified organic cotton, OEKO-TEX certified, crisp percale weave
~$199 (Queen)
Most accessible entry point; rare combination of GOTS organic + fair trade at this price
Samir Handwoven Area Rug
Hand-knotted or hand-loomed rug, natural materials and dyes, artisan-made
~$2,174
Heirloom quality; represents the brand's highest-investment artisan craftsmanship
