Responsibility Brochure - Flipbook - Page 23
Natural fibres
Natural fibres are biodegradable — they break down in nature and release nutrients back
into the soil. In this way, these fibres are inherently circular as they have a natural place in
the carbon cycle.
Silk
Our affinity with silk is deeply rooted in the origins and heritage of the business and it remains one of our
specialities today. Many of our fabrics are either pure silk or woven as blends with other natural fibres.
Silk has been prized for its luxurious properties for thousands of years and it can be dyed to create an
incredible quality of colour. Silk’s natural prism structure makes it great at reflecting light. It is also
breathable, hypoallergenic and known for its thermal properties, being cool in the summer and warm in the
winter. Silk is naturally self-extinguishing, which means it has excellent natural fire-retardant properties
without the application of chemicals.
All of our silk is sourced from China (Guangxi, Hangzhou, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shangdong, Yunnan, Zhejiang)
from the domesticated Mulberry Bombyx mori silk moth. Some of the processes are GOTS certified.
Animal hair – i.e. wool
Wool is a popular and versatile fibre. It is breathable, it has a natural elasticity, it holds bright colours in the
dyeing process, and it is hypoallergenic. It also renowned for its thermal properties, being cool in the
summer and warm in the winter
A sheep produces a new fleece every year, making it naturally renewable. Mulesing is a banned criteria for
any new yarn introduction and we have a commitment to phase out remaining mulesing stock.
Our preferred sources for animal hair (wool, cashmere, angora, mohair) moving forward are those certified
by Textile Exchange Standards, such as RWS (Responsible Wool Standard).
Animal fibres, such as wool, can be recycled, generally through a mechanical process that recovers the
fibres, which can then be re-used in new yarn or utilised in industrial products
Cotton
Cotton is breathable, making it popular for keeping cool in humid climates.
We buy cotton grown or processed in Egypt, Australia, Pakistan, Italy and USA. Some of the yarn that we
purchase is GOTS certified (Global Organic Textile Standard) and/or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified at a
yarn level. From 2023 onwards we will be looking to increase these proportions.
Linen/flax
Made from fibres that are sourced from the stems of flax plants, linen is three times stronger than cotton
Both linen and flax are derived from the flax plant but generally linen is spun from the longer fibres.
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