sustainability

our wool

Welhavens lingerie are made from 100% natural biodegradable zq-certified merino wool fibre. The raw wool comes from hand-picked farms in New Zealand where growers believe in farming sustainably for generations to come.

The wool has been spun using Redas CompAct³, a teqnique that amplifies many of the wools natural qualities, and also made it completely machine washable without using superwash treatment.

Wool is naturally a technical fabric. It regulates temperature, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Transport sweat away from the skin. Has the ability to keep you warm even if the fabric gets wet. Are breathable. Highly resistant to odour and wrinkles, and also gives some protection from UV-rays. The wool has natural stretch and doesn't sting which makes it comfortable to wear.

Micron is a measurement used to classify the thickness of wool ; one micron is equal to 0.001 mm. Merino wool is normally between 12 and 24 micron. The lower the number, the finer the micron and the softer the wool. Our wool is 17,5 micron, which means very fine wool fibres that are silky soft, making them perfect for next-to-skin clothing like our lingerie.

Welhavens wool is ethical. It has a sustainable production line, caring for the environment, the people and the animals. 

plastic

Welhavens lingerie is machine washable without beeing superwash treated. Superwash treatment often means using harmfull chemicals or coating the fibers with plastic. Our factory, Reda, uses the compACT3 technology, that enhances the unique natural characteristics of the wool, and also makes it machine washable.

The boning/wire in the bra is made from plastic. We are looking for alternatives but have not found anything that meet our requirements yet.

We have removed a lot of the plastic packaging in the shipping between the factory and us. Normally a factory would wrap every item in plastic, and put all the individually wrapped items inside a larger plastic bag before putting everything in a cardboard box. We don’t individually wrap each item. This may cause the garments to wrinkle some more, but we think it is worth it saving so much use of plastic. The garments are then shipped to us, and we quality control each garment and pack everything in recycled «silk-paper» when you make your orders.

OUR FABRIC FACTORY

reda 1865

Not only do they produce some of the the best quality fabrics, but their values and high focus on sustainability, environmental protection and animal welfare made it easy to choose Reda as our wool supplier. It is the only wool mill that holds the EMAS certification, and the first italian textile company to become B Corporation Certified.

Welhavens fabric comes from extremely high-quality merino raw wool, which Reda transform into jersey with natural and unique performances. This thanks to their artisanal traditions and their experience with technical knitting and weaving.

One of Redas innovative solutions is to use CompAct³ a spinning system developed in Redas laboratory. The system combines a large number of fibers in the construction of the yarn. This gives the fabric its elasticity along with resistance and comfort, unique no other fabrics of its kind. The technique amplifies many of the wools natural qualities and gives the wool 30% more elasticity, 20% more softness and 15% more resistance than traditional merino wool.

This spinning system also makes it possible to have a wool fabric that is machine washable without being superwash treated. Superwash treatment often means using harmfull chemicals or coating the fibers with plastic. Our factory, Reda, uses the compACT3 technology, that enhances the unique natural characteristics of the wool, and also makes it machine washable.

Reda has created the “Reda Sustainability Award” to recognize growers from New Zealand and Australia who distinguished themselves in the field of sustainability, making a distinctive effort in relation to the animals and the entire eco system. The candidates are evaluated according to guidelines including: “the observation of current national laws, traceability of raw materials and compliance with the high qualitative standards that have always characterized the Reda production cycle”.

CERTIFICATIONS

zq wool certification

100% certified zq merino wool.

ZQ is a wool certification, defined as “the world’s leading ethical wool”. Developed and owned by The New Zealand Merino Company Ltd. They source the wool from farms that meet their high standard. The wool is of consistent, high quality, high performing fibre, and is fully traceable. The company behind the certification is committed to protecting our environment, as well as our animals and people behind their business.

EMAS CERTIFIcation

Reda is the only wool mill in the world that has Emas certification

Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is a voluntary environmental EU-management instrument, which acknowledges organizations that improve their environmental efforts and contributes to more transparency. The main goal is to help create a sustainable economy.

Companies holding the EMAS certificate show that they go beyond what is required of them in working with the external environment.

B CORPORATION CERTIFIcation

Reda is the first italian textile company to become B Corporation Certified.

Beeing a certified B Corp you commit to have the highest standard for performance, transparency and accountability. The respect and determination Reda has shown for the environment and reducing the use of chemicals in the production truly stood out. Also the working conditions and welfare services for their employees shows their high standards.