At Hobbs, we create timeless designs made to last, valuing natural yarns for their planet-friendly properties and durability. From introducing recycled fabrics to joining responsible farming initiatives, discover how we're improving our use of sustainable fibres.
Fabric is fundamental to every piece of clothing we create. Soft viscose lends a beautiful drape to a dress. Wool brings heat-retaining warmth to a tailored coat. By switching to more sustainable alternatives we're preserving precious resources without compromising on the premium finish we're known for.
Because the process involved in manufacturing virgin polyester uses petrochemicals, which are harmful to the environment, we are now using recycled polyester in many of our garments. It is made from disused water bottles to minimise landfill and toxic emissions.
For some time now, we've been using recycled wool from our trusted Italian mills. By using regenerated wool, we are reducing energy consumption, the amount of processing needed to make the fibre, the use of water, dyes and chemicals, as well as helping to divert waste from landfill.
At Hobbs, we've been working to address traceability in relation to animal welfare so we are using wool certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). It's a voluntary standard, which protects the sheep and the land they graze on, while ensuring the wool is tracked from farm to mill.
Find out more about the Responsible Wool Standard here.
For over three decades, we've collaborated with the Abraham Moon mill in Yorkshire. As part of their sustainability efforts, we're able to source responsibly produced fabric endorsed by the Wool Integrity Programme. A scheme that provides assurances around animal welfare, environmental sustainability, traceability, wool quality as well as social compliance.
Find out more about Abraham Moon here.
Made using natural fibres from trees, the production of generic viscose can be harmful to forests and biodiversity, so we are switching to LENZING™ ECOVERO™ VISCOSE.
Sourced from certified and controlled wood sources, the manufacture of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres generates up to 50% lower emissions and water impact compared to generic viscose.
Find out more about LENZING™ ECOVERO™ VISCOSE here.
We are proud members of the Better Cotton Initiative, committed to improving cotton farming practices globally.
The Better Cotton Initiative connects people and organisations across the cotton sector, from field to store, to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas.
The Better Cotton Initiative trains farmers to use water efficiently, care for soil health and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and respect workers’ rights and wellbeing. Sourced via a system of mass-balance, Better Cotton is tracked by volumes through the supply chain.
While Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products, BCI Farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we source. See bettercotton.org/massbalance for details.
Hobbs is committed to sourcing a minimum of 80% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2025.