wovenbeyond
The Importance of Traceability
Wovenbeyond
Origin
Since 2019, we have been researching sustainable fashion. We feel a moral responsibility to do our part in restoring nature for our children.
Through sourcing fibres that are sustainably grown and whose production positively impacts the local communities, our work contributes to positive change in the fashion industry.
The sources of our fibres are important not only to reduce the carbon footprint but also to promote farming methods that restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and empower farmers.
provenance
Discover the Origins of Our Fibres
France
Merino d'Arles wool
We decided to use premium wool from the French Merinos D’Arles Selection© collective of herders because they still practice transhumance, an ancient form of nomadic pastoralism organized around the migration of livestock between mountain pastures in warm seasons and lower altitudes the rest of the year.
In spring, flocks are moved up to the French Alps where, at 2000m altitude, sheep graze on green pastures. In September, when the risk of snow starts to increase, they move back to the lowland to enjoy a milder winter until the next spring.
Transhumance (included in the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) shapes relations amongst people, animals and ecosystems.
It involves shared rituals and social practices; caring for and breeding animals; managing the land, forests and water resources; and dealing with natural hazards.
Transhumant herders have an in-depth knowledge of the environment and its ecological balance. It is one of the most sustainable livestock farming methods in terms of natural resources use and land management.
Nepal
Himalayan nettle
Himalayan nettle is a valuable plant from all perspectives. The fiber obtained from it is one of the longest in the world, glossy, and very similar to silk.
Himalayan nettle grows spontaneously at high altitudes in Nepal, where it is manually harvested by indigenous populations. Manual harvesting helps make the fiber valuable by maintaining its original length and ensuring production limits. It is therefore a sustainable plant in every respect.
The producer from whom we purchase Himalayan nettle fiber, Himalayan Wild Fiber™, is a social enterprise founded with the mission of creating economic opportunities for Himalayan village residents of the Dolakha District. The Nepalese mountains are home to many remote villages where people work hard to make a living from subsistence agriculture. Making ends meet is difficult for them, and there are many women without paid work who have no way to earn money.
Harvesting the plant in the wild during the low season helps women earn money to meet their families’ basic needs. Himalayan Wild Fiber™’s mission is to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for the raw material, and that everyone involved in the supply chain is paid appropriately.
Himalayan nettle grows unchecked in Nepalese forests above 2000 meters. It prefers soft, moist soil fertilized by grazing yaks, and its shoots grow over three meters tall every year. Additionally, the more you cut it, the more it grows. Harvesting the vertical stems, which reach their maximum height in 12 months, is done annually to make room for new leaves and healthy shoots for the following year. These will better absorb CO2. Annual cutting also promotes root growth, which helps improve soil stabilization in landslide-prone mountains.
Nettle also helps soil fertility, preserves biodiversity, and is vital for maintaining the surrounding ecosystem intact. Nepalese have used it for centuries as food, fodder, medicine, and for making ropes, bags, mats and clothing. Himalayan Wild Fiber™ contributes to the UN Sustainable Development goals, setting a new standard in the textile industry of holistic sustainability, and environmental and social performance.
China
Lotus
In Chinese heritage, the lotus plant symbolizes purity and resilience, while also playing a vital role in traditional culture, cuisine, and the environment.
Beyond its spiritual and artistic significance, the lotus is celebrated for its profound environmental and agricultural contributions. It naturally purifies water, helping to maintain the health of ponds and wetlands by absorbing toxins and providing a habitat for aquatic life.
This quality has made it an integral part of traditional farming systems, where lotus cultivation is often paired with fish farming in a sustainable, symbiotic practice that reflects ancient Chinese ingenuity. Its ability to thrive in muddy waters while supporting biodiversity underscores its ecological importance.
Furthermore, every part of the plant is utilized — from its seeds and roots in cuisine and medicine to its fibers in crafting luxurious textiles — making the lotus a powerful symbol of harmony with nature and a cornerstone of ecological sustainability in China.
For us lotus fibre represents a natural alternative to bouclé yarn binders usually made of nylon.