Sustainability

With each collection we strive to incorporate fabrics that are kinder to the environment. We look at the amount of water used in the production of our fabrics , does it contribute to microfibre pollution or greenhouse gasses and how long will it take to decompose after being bought. All these factors have made us carefully select the most eco friendly plant based fibres. 

Biodegradable

The term ‘biodegradable’ refers to the ability of a substance to decompose naturally via living organisms.While all fabrics can biodegrade, the issue comes in where synthetic fabrics release chemicals that are being released into the environment causing them to emit green house gasses. Which can cause 600 years of methane emissions. Ramie , Rayon and Linen are known to biodegrade faster than synthetic fabrics and will not emit any chemicals while doing so. Linen and Ramie require fewer pesticides, herbicides and fungicides than cotton. The strength and durability of the fabric also ensures it will last longer, and when disposed, it will biodegrade.

Microfibre Pollution  

All our textiles are plant based. We do not use any polyester, nylon or acrylic due to its contribution to microfibre pollution to the environment. When manufactured, washed and worn, synthetic clothes & textiles shed tiny plastic fibers that end up in the environment. These tiny plastics then ends up in our waterways and drinking water does not biodegrade: it breaks down into smaller pieces. These microfibres then travel to local wastewater treatment plants, where up to 40% of them enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans where they contribute to the overall plastic pollution.

Water Waste

The cultivation stage of producing linen is the least water and energy intensive part of a linen garment’s lifecycle. According to a 2008 report for the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp (CELC), almost 80% of linen’s energy and water consumption derives from washing and ironing the garment. Usual rainfall is enough to irrigate European cultivations of flax, unlike cotton which can require high volumes of water depending on where it is grown. Flax can be grown organically – indeed many cultivations are already close to organic standard.  

Fabric Waste 

The fashion industry produces a lot of waste season after season. Disposing of mock trials, samples and fabrics that is no longer needed by design houses. With the dumping of these waste textiles the toxic chemicals are released into the environment while burning or breaking down into the earth. Every season we donate all our mock trials and samples to St Anne's home for abused women and children in Woodstock, Cape Town and Emmanuel Children day care centre in Atlantis. Here, the textiles we donate get repurposed and used as skill development through craft and sewing.