Our Planet Friendly Fabrics
We are constantly looking for new ways to improve. We select our raw materials from natural, renewable and certified sources, wherever possible. By shopping at Aspiga, you are investing in ethical and sustainable fashion. Look effortlessly chic, and support stylishly sustainable fashion.
Merino Wool
100% biodegradable, super soft, naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, Merino wool's active fibres help you stay warm in the cold and cool in the heat. Our merino wool meets OEKO-TEX® standards which ensures legal regulations have been followed when making the yarn and fabric. For AW24, we have introduced our very first Merino Wool coat capsule which are made from Merino Wool.
All Merino Wool used in our collections are certified and come from sustainable farming techniques which have been certified by Pure New Wool- Woolmark. The certification of this fibre ensures it has been responsibly sourced and gives you the confidence that your garments are made of natural, renewable and biodegradable wool and meets exacting quality standards.
A little known fact is that Merino Wool wicks moisture away from the skin, making it a brilliant base layer, whether you find yourself on the slopes, or closer to home. Because of its odour repelling properties, your favourite knit will stay fresher for longer, meaning more wears between washes, lower maintenance, and a better choice for the planet. Click here to read more about Merino wool.
Use our knitwear comb to keep your jumpers free of pilling, ensuring your cosy pieces will be bobble free and looking fabulous for longer.
EUROPEAN FLAX® LINEN
Linen is uniquely strong, which means our linen products can last for longer and be replaced less often.
Linen is derived from flax plants, which grow successfully with limited use of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals. Our preferred linen carries the EUROPEAN FLAX® certification, which ensures traceability at every step of processing from flax seed to the finished product. When linen finally does come to the end of its life, the fibres biodegrade quicker than most fabrics.
The EUROPEAN FLAX® Charter, signed by all the Flax producers, guarantees local farming that respects the environment and commits to zero irrigation, zero GMO, and zero waste. Fibre extraction (scutching) is 100% mechanical meaning zero chemicals are used in the process.
All work is done in compliance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which promotes social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ VISCOSE
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose is one of the most sustainable materials. One may be surprised to learn that it is derived from wood and tree pulp from certified forests, which notably do not contribute to deforestation.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose is a man made cellulosic fibre made from dissolved wood pulp sourced from certified forests. It uses 50% lower emissions and water impact than generic viscose. We love LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose due to the reduction of the environmental footprint and closed loop process of gases and chemicals used when producing the fibre- these are not released into the environment but are recovered, converted and returned to the production process to be used as raw materials.
We love LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose for all its amazing qualities. Processing uses 50% lower emissions and water impact than generic viscose and it is also compostable and biodegradable. Not only that, when worn, it drapes beautifully, is smooth and soft to the touch, and has non-static properties.
TENCEL™
Made from Eucalyptus trees and responsibly sourced wood pulp, TENCEL™ is curated from biodegradable fibres using an environmentally responsible process.
TENCEL™ branded lyocell and modal fibres are produced in an environmentally responsible way from the sustainably sourced natural raw material, wood. It uses a closed loop production process, recycling 99% of chemicals.
FSC Certified Fabrics
We also use FSC Certified Natural fabrics including Viscose, Lyocell, Bamboo and for the first time, Modal, which are a man made cellulose fibre made from dissolved wood pulp.
The FSC label identifies responsibly sourced forest products. By using fabrics such as Responsibly Sourced Viscose, we are able to verify that the wood used when producing the fibre comes from responsibly managed forests with strict social and environmental standards to prevent deforestation, forest degradation and to protect biodiversity.
When investing in certified viscose, you are supporting community rights, fair wages, safe working environments and protecting the rights of Indigenous People.
GOTS CERTIFIED ORGANIC COTTON
Organic Cotton is chemical free and hypoallergenic. By buying organic cotton, you are investing in water conservation, cleaner air, better soil and farmer livelihoods. Handpicked to preserve each fibre, this process ensures superior softness and avoids wastage. The price for organic cotton is higher than conventional cotton, but we think it's a price worth paying.
GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) is recognised as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made form organic fibres. It has a high level of environmental criteria along the entire supply chain and requires ethical standards as well.
We love using organic cotton, as it uses 88% less water and 62% less energy than regular cotton. It is also certified as compostable and biodegradable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions.
We are excited to highlight that we have increased our Organic Cotton mix from 48.9% (2023) to 74.9% (2024), and that 76% of our cord range for AW24 is made from Organic Cotton. On the colours where we are not able to achieve Organic Cotton, we have still ensured we use Responsibly Sourced Cotton, as we have done in previous seasons.
RESPONSIBLY SOURCED COTTON
This cotton is responsibly sourced through suppliers and mills that are building partnerships within the cotton supply chain to improve the social, economical, and environmental outcomes for farmers and their land. Whilst organic cotton is our preferred option, increased demand has currently impacted availability. As a ‘next best’ option, we are using responsibly-sourced cotton, which uses water more efficiently, to support our sustainability strategy.
Denim
We are constantly looking for new ways to improve and are proud to have introduced a new denim quality to our range. We are working with a mill whose goal is to significantly reduce water waste and chemical usage. They have already achieved 92% reduction in water usage, a 99% decrease in waste water for this product line, and they are working towards a zero-waste principle.
Along with using responsibly sourced and recycled cotton, our new supplier has the latest Jeanologia laser technology machines which are used to create vintage looks to the fabric without the harmful traditional processes; improving standards for workers, reducing water wastage and impact on the planet.
We are proud to announce that our new blue denim range uses 99% less water than conventional denim.
Recycled Polyester
Our recycled polyester is certified by GRS (Global Recycled Standard), meaning that all materials are verified to meet the ISO definition of recycled. Both pre-consumer and post-consumer material is accepted. GRS sites are required to meet strict social and environmental requirements. Chemicals with the potential for harm are not permitted to be used on GRS products. Certification ensures that the identity of the recycled material is maintained: from the recycler to the final product.
Turning plastic into fibre and then fabric helps to reduce the 8 million tons of plastic that end up in the ocean every year. Using recycled polyester helps to protect marine ecosystems that are often endangered by plastic pollution.
Leather
Leather has been embraced and celebrated by our Kenyan artisans for generations. By continuing to use leather, we are supporting this age-old industry.
In line with our mission to be circular, we only use leather by-products from the meat industry, which would otherwise be wasted. And, to further reduce the impact on the planet, our leather is dried in the sun and only coloured using natural dyes.
Glass Beads
Our stunning beaded belts, handbags, and sandals are all made using glass beads.
We choose to use glass, because unlike plastic, when glass breaks down, it remains safe and stable and releases no harmful chemicals into the surrounding environment.
Glass also takes far less energy to produce and has a long life spa. It is a fully recyclable material that can be recycled infinite times.
All our glass beads are coloured using natural dyes.