Silk is one of the oldest known luxury natural fibres used over 5000 years and is thought to originate from China. It is sometimes referred to as the "queen of fabrics" and became a traded currency during the Han Dynasty. Silk is the only natural filament fibre and is soft, lustrous and smooth to touch. Made with 100% eco silk satin that uses less water and less toxic dyes compared to standard silk.
Silk is made by several insects, most commonly the caterpillar of the silkmoth, whose silk cocoons are turned into threads of silk yarn through the process of sericulture. The silk is washed, dyed, spun and finally woven together.
The Momme count (mm) is used to measure the density and strength of silk. The higher the thread count, the stronger, heavier and higher quality the silk.
The manufacturing process of silk produces little to no waste, making it a biodegradable product.
As a fabric, silk can fade and weaken under continuous sunlight and sweat, as well as gathering static electricity.
The manufacture of silk relies on animal labour; it is important to enquire whether brands are adhering to ethical production standards as a result.
Silk is renowned for its smooth nature, draping with a graceful flow. It is one of the strongest natural fibres, and is resistant to wrinkling.
How you store, wear and wash your silk will assist the longevity of your silk’s life.
Hand wash with mild soap or professional dry-clean Do not Bleach Hang to air dry Iron or steam with low heat inside out
BAMBOOsupplied from GOGATSU ITSUKA, CHINA
Bamboo is a very strong plant fibre derived from the pulp of bamboo plants that is rapidly renewable and outstandingly biodegradable. It originated from China, historically used to make paper. Bamboo is a low-maintenance crop that requires few chemicals during cultivation.
Bamboo is derived from the pulp of the bamboo plant via the extraction process of chemical retting. Fibres are then soaked, washed and spun into a yarn to be woven into fabric.
The bamboo crop requires minimal chemicals during cultivation, making it a biodegradable resource. It is additionally a crop that grows with ease, capable of growing in areas unsuitable for other crops.
The process of chemical retting in the manufacturing process of bamboo can produce wastewater, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems.
Bamboo is lightweight, silky and soft in nature. It is a highly breathable fabric, making it suitable to wear in hot climates as it absorbs and releases moisture quickly. It is a durable fabric, UV resistant, wrinkle resistant, hypoallergenic and anti-static.
Although a durable fabric, ensuring adequate maintenance of your bamboo garment will extend its quality and lifespan. Hand or machine wash with a gentle cycle. Do not bleach. Do not dry clean. Line dry or machine dry on cool settings.
TENCEL™by Lenzing, Austria
Tencel™ is a branded version of lyocell, produced by Lenzing, a company in Austria. It is a type of rayon that is created by dissolving sustainably sourced wood pulp. Unlike rayon viscose, lyocell and Tencel™ go through a closed-loop process, recycling more than 99% of the products, where chemicals are reused and are less dangerous to humans.
Tencel™ is a cellulose fibre created by dissolving sustainably-sourced wood pulp, combining it with a solvent and then subjecting it to a drying process called spinning. It is then chemically treated and spun into a yarn to be woven into fabric.
The production process of Tencel™ reuses 99% of the products required. The fabric is additionally compostable and its end of life. Tencel™ requires 50% less water and energy than cotton and other cellulose fibres to produce.
Tencel™ is incredibly comfortable, breathable and soft on skin. It is moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial making it suitable for wear in warmer climates.
Gentle cold machine wash or professional dryclean. Medium iron. Do not bleach. Line dry or shade. Steam for best finish.
JERSEY LOMELLINA RENEWby Ecoantex®, Italy
With our environmental impact in mind, some of our garments are manufactured with Jersey Lomellina Renew, a high quality recycled polyester produced by Ecoantex® in Italy. Its fibres are made of 100% recycled plastic bottles; their yarns are transformed into virgin quality fabric that is durable, soft to touch, lightweight and breathable.
Recycled polyester diverts plastic from landfills, allowing it to be recycled many times over. It is a less harmful option to its virgin counterpart, generating fewer carbon emissions in its production process.
Ecoantex® is soft, lightweight and breathable, making it suitable for warmer climates. It is additionally durable, ensuring a prolonged lifespan.
ECONYL® REGENERATED NYLONby Aquafil, Italy
We utilise high quality ECONYL® regenerated nylon by Aquafil in our swimwear. ECONYL® is a great alternative to virgin nylon as it is made from regenerated nylon waste, such as industrial plastic, fabric scraps and fishing nets, recovering ocean debris and diverting post-consumer waste destined for landfill.
Synthetic waste such as waste fabric, industrial plastic and fishing nets, are recycled and regenerated into virgin quality nylon yarn. This waste is collected, cleaned, shredded and depolymerised to extract nylon. It is then transformed into yarn and woven into textile products.
For every 10,000 tons of ECONYL® raw material:
- 70,000 barrels of of crude oil are saved.
- 65,100 tons of CO2 eq. Emissions are avoided.
As well as being a solution for waste, ECONYL® regenerated Nylon is also better when it comes to climate change.
It reduces global warming impact of nylon by up to 90% compared to the material from oil.
All fabrics have the capacity to lose tiny particles in the water system when they are washed. Continuous filament fibres such as ECONYL® are less problematic than staple fibres.
This fabric is made with ECONYL® regenerated nylon and it is UV and chlorine resistant. ECONYL® is a durable fabrication that guarantees comfort and longevity.
ORGANIC COTTON
Cotton is the world's most popular natural fibre, having been grown for over 6000 years and first known to be woven in Pakistan in 3000 BC. Organic cotton is regarded as environmentally better than conventional cotton as it is grown from non-GMO seeds, using less water and synthetic agricultural chemicals that are known to pose detrimental risk to farmers and local communities, as well as degradation of our soils.
Organic cotton is produced without any toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, or genetically modified seeds.
Not all organic cottons have been sustainably produced - check if they have been GOTS-certified.
Organic cotton requires large amounts of water to grow.
Cotton is lightweight and soft in nature. It is highly breathable and moisture wicking, making it suitable for warmer climates. It is a durable fabric, ensuring longevity of wear, and is hypoallergenic.
DEADSTOCK FABRICfrom Drapers, AUSTRALIA/NZ
Deadstock fabric is leftover fabric; a product of manufacturing processes whereby fabrics are over-ordered, or textile mills overproduce. The use of deadstock fabrics gives purpose to textiles that would otherwise be thrown out, diverting waste from landfills, and making use of something that has already been created.
Given deadstock is purchased second-hand, there is minimal supply chain traceability, meaning that fabrics are rarely certified for ethical or organic production. We can additionally not be sure of the environmental impact of their production process.
We acknowledge that use of deadstock fabric is not the perfect solution, however have made the decision to use limited amounts of deadstock to repurpose what is already in existence, providing second-life to industry waste and byproducts.
