Material Guide
Natural fibers
Wool
Wool is one the oldest fibers known to man and was one of the first fibers to be spun into yarn and woven into fabric. Wool is 100% natural grown year-round by sheep, consuming a simple blend of water, air, sunshine, and grass. When a wool fiber is disposed of, it will naturally decompose in soil in a matter of years, slowly releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth. Every year sheep produce a new fleece, making wool a completely renewable fiber. Wool fibers have the ability to return to their natural shape after being bent. This gives wool garments a natural resistance to wrinkles. Wool is one of the most breathable fibers. It keeps you warm, is thermoregulating, absorbent, and repels dirt and stains. The wool types used in our collections are; Merino, Cashmere, Alpaca, Mohair, Lana, Responsible wool, and Recycled wool.
How to care for Wool:
To make wool clothing last longer, only wash them when necessary. The self-regulating fibers don’t need to be laundered as often as other materials. Spot clean or air dry when necessary between washes, do not hang wool garments but keep them nicely folded. Pilling of wool occurs naturally with friction, some types more than others. Use a cashmere comb on hairy wool products, while on flat woven products, you can use a razor blade to shave off the gathered fibers. When washing, turn the garment inside-out, wash on the delicate cycle (or wool cycle or hand wash cycle, if your washer features these settings), and use only specified wool detergent as regular detergent can break down wool fibers. Stretch garments carefully out and lay to dry in the shade. Do not tumble dry or iron. You can steam wool garments at low temperatures.
Cotton / Organic cotton
Cotton is a strong, comfortable, absorbent, and durable fiber that we use a lot in our collections. There are many types of cotton, and we mainly use organic cotton, cotton fleece, and jersey.
Organic cotton is grown using methods that have a lower impact on the environment, uses non-genetically modified plants, and does not use harmful chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticide. Organic cotton prices are higher than traditional cotton, but the by-products are cleaner air, conserved water, purer soil, and fewer toxic chemicals circulating in local water systems.
Cotton Fleece is a comfortable, stretchy, and absorbent knitted fabric. It is versatile and has one smooth side and a brushed side that gives a napped finish and a soft feel. We use cotton fleece in most of our hoodies and sweats.
How to care for cotton:
It isn’t easy to give guidance on washing cotton as there are so many types of cotton fabric available and so many different uses (clothing, bedding, underwear, etc.). To be safe, you should always refer to the care label for your cotton item before washing it. Wash in cold water, whether using a washing machine or washing by hand. Always air dry. Can be ironed at medium heat.
Jersey
Jersey is a knitted fabric with a smooth surface on both the front and back. Named after the island of Jersey, where they first produced the fabric from wool. We use Jersey that is woven from cotton in t-shirts and long sleeves. Jersey is favored for its flexibility and hand feel. It is lightweight, comfortable, and stretchy.
How to care for jersey:
Jersey is a delicate fabric. Wash at 30 degrees, turn garment inside-out before washing, lay flat to dry in, and wash with similar colors. Avoid detergents that have large amounts of bleach or other chemical additives. A color-safe or neutral detergent is best, as these contain little or no bleach. Avoid fabric softeners and dry-cleaning because of the chemicals they contain. Use the “delicate” or “gentle” setting on your washing machine so it won’t get rough treatment. Take the jerseys directly out of the drum after the washing cycle, and do not leave them wet.
Silk
Silk is a natural fiber produced from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm. The fabric has a shimmering appearance, has a soft feel, is comfortable, absorbent, hypoallergenic, and strong. If treated correctly, your silk garments will be long-lasting.
How to care for silk:
You can machine wash silk in a gentle wash cycle, but it is best to hand wash it. Fill a basin with cool or cold water to help keep the color, then add a gentle detergent. Place the garment in the water and sit for just a few minutes. Then rinse. Do not twist or squeeze silk garments. To remove water, place the wet garment on a white towel, fold the towel over it, and gently press the garment with your hands. Hang the garments to dry. Never dry your silk items in the dryer. Do not hang silk items in the sun, as this accelerates fading. Steaming silk is preferred to ironing.
Leather
Whilst not a woven textile, Leather is considered by many to be the very first fabric. Leather is a durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhides. In prehistoric times, animal hides were first recognized when early man began to use forms of leather for clothing and shelter against harsh conditions. Nowadays, leather is used in fashion pieces like jackets, shoes, and trousers. Leather is a durable material that is hypoallergenic, long-lasting, resists dirt and stains, and is easy to clean with a cloth. Our collections’ leather products are made from a Bi-product from the food industry.
How to care for Leather:
To clean leather, mix a solution of warm water and dish soap. Dip a soft cloth into it, wring it out, and wipe the garment. You can also make a cleaning solution of one part vinegar to one part water. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe off the cleaning solution. Do not machine wash, hand wash, or lay the garment in water at any time. Keep away from constant sun to preserve color. The sun can bleach your garment. Treat your garment with leather conditioners. Once a year or so, apply a leather conditioning cream to the entire outer surface. Conditioning your garment defends it from moisture, leaves it soft and flexible, and prevents cracking and splitting.
Regenerated fibers
Viscose / Lyocell / Modal
Viscose is a human-made fiber created from cellulose that has been chemically extracted from trees. Viscose was created as artificial silk in the same way as Nylon was. It sits in between natural and synthetic fibers because it isn’t a truly natural fabric that is grown, nor is it completely synthetic since it’s comprised of tree cellulose. Other fabrics that are quite similar to Viscose are Lyocell and modal. Viscose, Lyocell, and Modal are all made from plants, typically trees. They are actually all just different variations of the same fiber known as Viscose in Europe and Rayon in America. The difference between these fibers is subtle, and it comes down to the manufacturing process. Even though these fibers may be human-made, they are not synthetic. They are human-made from a natural product. They are soft, comfortable, highly absorbent, and durable. They are good for mixing with fabrics to improve them.
How to care for Viscose / Lyocell / Modal:
Most importantly, look at the garment label regarding washing instructions for each specific garment, as this can vary. You can hand wash or machine wash Viscose/Lyocell/Modal. Handwashing is the safest washing method; add a squirt of delicate wash detergent to a washbasin or clean kitchen or bathroom sink filled with cool water and agitate the water with your hands to distribute the soap. If you opt for machine washing, you should turn the item inside out and place it in a Mesh Washing Bag to avoid snags and tears. Select the delicate cycle on the washing machine, and make sure the water temperature is cold and the spin is low. For garments made of a combination of these fabrics and other materials, make sure you read the label on the garment. These types of garments may need dry cleaning.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™
Derived from certified renewable wood sources using an eco-responsible production process by meeting high environmental standards, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers tailor to a sustainable lifestyle, contributing to a cleaner environment. Garments made of these fibers are pilling resistant, breathable, have a high comfort and softness. They are easy to wash and are quick drying. Read more about LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers at https://www.ecovero.com
Synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are fibers made by humans through chemical synthesis instead of natural fibers that are directly derived from living organisms. They result from extensive research by scientists to improve upon naturally occurring animal- and plant fibers. Synthetic fibers are more durable than most natural fibers, and many synthetic fibers offer consumer-friendly functions such as stretching, waterproofing, and stain resistance. The synthetic fibers used in our collections are Nylon, Neoprene, Polyester, Recycled Polyester/Nylon, Spandex, and Sequal.
How to care for Synthetic fibers:
Most importantly, look at the garment label regarding washing instructions for each specific garment, as this can vary. Machine wash with the required detergent on the normal cycle with warm or cool water. There is no need to wash synthetic fiber garments above 40 degrees. Wash with like colors and fabrics only. Eliminate static, prevent wrinkles, ease ironing, and keep clothing soft with steam. Air dry or tumble dry at medium temperature. We recommend only air drying to prolong fabric life. Iron as needed at a low-temperature setting or steam when drying polyester garments. Knit items should be stored folded to prevent stretching or distorting. Woven items can be hung.
Neoprene should be hand-washed, as we cannot guarantee what the tumbling in the machine will do to your neoprene fabric. Wash your neoprene item in cool water with mild detergent. Do not scrub; instead, if there is a stain you’re trying to get rid of, put some detergent on the area and let it soak for a bit. Avoid drying in direct sunlight.