Turn the Label Over: The Sustainable Fabrics Behind Our Winter Collection
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Time to read 5 min
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Time to read 5 min
Next time you pull on a favourite jumper, turn the label over. What it's made from decides how it feels, how long it lasts and what it leaves behind long after you've worn it.
At Aspiga, we start every collection with the fabric. This winter, that means cord that softens with every wear, velvet grown in forests rather than made from oil, and knits from merino, cashmere and alpaca that keep you warm without costing the earth. Here's the story behind each one, plus how to wear it and how to make it last.
Corduroy has been around for centuries, and it's back for good reason. Those soft, raised ridges trap warmth, stand up to everyday wear and look better the more you live in them.
What it's made from: our new cord is woven from responsibly sourced cotton. It uses water more efficiently than conventional cotton, and comes from supply chains that work to improve outcomes for farmers and their land. Organic cotton is always our first choice, and together, organic and responsibly sourced cotton now make up 60% of our cotton mix.
How to wear it: go head to toe with the Oversized Double Breasted Corduroy Blazer over the Wide Leg Chunky Corduroy Trouser, or keep it easy in the Dropped Waist Baby Cord Midi Dress with boots and a chunky knit. For something smarter, the Elizabeth Stretch Corduroy Midi Dress takes you from desk to dinner.
Make it last: wash inside out on a cool cycle and skip the tumble dryer. It protects the pile and keeps the colour rich for years.
Did you know? We hold certificates for our fabrics that trace their sustainable credentials all the way back to the mills where they're woven.
Here's something most people don't know: our velvet starts life as a tree. It's made from viscose, a plant-based fibre spun from wood pulp, rather than the oil-based synthetics used in much of today's party wear. That means it's naturally biodegradable at the end of its life.
Why where it comes from matters: according to Common Objective, half of the world's viscose is sourced from endangered forests. That's why we choose responsibly sourced viscose, with wood from sustainably managed forests that protects against deforestation and biodiversity loss.
How to wear it: for Christmas parties, the Lorna Lace Velvet Dress or the Kyrsty Velvet Dress needs nothing more than gold jewellery. Prefer separates? Pair the Palazzo Velvet Trouser with the Astrid Velvet V-Neck Top in Wine Red, then wear each piece again with knits and denim long after party season.
Make it last: hang it up and steam out creases rather than ironing, which can flatten the pile.
Did you know? Protecting forests goes beyond our fabrics. Through our partnership with World Land Trust, we protected 10,576m² of critically threatened tropical forest in 2025.
Long before technical fabrics existed, sheep had already solved the problem. Merino wool keeps you warm when it's cold, breathes when you're warm and wicks away moisture, all without a single synthetic fibre.
What makes ours different: our 100% merino is certified Pure New Wool, made from virgin fibres that haven't been blended with anything else, and meets OEKO-TEX standards. It's naturally renewable, and at the end of its life it's fully biodegradable.
How to wear it: the Merino Wool Snowflake Fairisle Quarter Zip Jumper is made for frosty weekend walks, while the Merino Wool Crew Neck Jumper in Oatmeal layers under the cord blazer for the office. Finish with the Merino Wool Stripe Scarf.
Make it last: merino naturally resists odour, so air it between wears and wash less. It's better for the planet and for your jumper.
Did you know? Our largest knitwear supplier only works with yarn mills that use certified fibres, including GOTS, RWS, GRS and OEKO-TEX.
Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, which turn the nutrients in the plants they graze into one of the finest natural fibres in the world. It's incredibly soft, surprisingly light and warmer than its weight suggests.
Why it's a sustainable choice: the greenest jumper is the one you never replace. Cared for well, cashmere lasts for years, and as a natural protein fibre it's biodegradable, returning nutrients to the soil at the end of its life.
How to wear it: the Cashmere Crew Neck Heart Jumper is the one she'll reach for all winter, with jeans at the weekend or tucked into a velvet trouser for drinks. It also makes a Christmas gift she'll treasure.
Make it last: hand wash in cool water, dry flat and fold rather than hang to keep its shape.
Did you know? If a favourite piece ever needs some love, our Repair & Rewear service at our Wilton store can help. In 2025, more than 860 imperfect items were repaired and given a second life instead of going to waste. You can also buy and sell pre-loved Aspiga through our resale partner, The Cirkel.
Alpaca fibre is naturally insulating and breathable, so you get serious warmth without the bulk. We blend it with responsibly sourced wool from non-mulesed sheep, raised to recognised animal welfare standards, and with recycled fibres that give existing materials a new life.
How to wear it: the Alpaca Blend Short Sleeve Cardigan works over a cord dress or a satin blouse, while an Alpaca Blend Knitted Tank layers over shirts now and on its own come spring. That's a piece working hard all year round.
Did you know? In 2026, we're introducing digital product passports, so you'll be able to scan a QR code and see exactly where your knit's materials come from.
Aspiga began in Kenya in 2006, and our beaded accessories are still made there by artisans in four family-run workshops. Each belt takes around a day and a half to bead by hand, and every one supports the families who make them. The Large Multi Diamond Belt is new this winter: wear it over a cord dress or a chunky knit to add instant colour.
Did you know? More than 60 artisans make Aspiga pieces in Kenya. In 2025, they hand-beaded 2,177 pairs of sandals and 508 belts for us, and we've sponsored almost 100 young women in rural Kenya to train as sewing artisans.
Every fabric in this guide was chosen for how it feels, how long it lasts and how gently it treats the planet. It's why 89.3% of our collection is now made from certified fabrics, and why our B Corp score of 106.7 is more than double the 50.9 median for ordinary businesses.
So this winter, turn the label over. You'll find a story worth wearing.