OUR KNITWEAR YARN CERTIFICATIONS

Slow fashion and responsible, considered design have always sat at the heart of the GS brand, with Genevieve’s passion and commitment coming across at every step of the design and production processes. From the origins of the raw fibres to the final finishing touches, Genevieve believes in creating forever knitwear with strong style and ethical integrity.

This guide is an opportunity to talk about the natural fibres and materials that feature in Genevieve’s collections; from sumptuous lambswool to sparkly viscose – and not forgetting the buttons that play a part in helping to protect the Amazon rainforest. We want to share the fascinating details about how they are sourced, obtained and processed, as well as the testing that takes place to ensure they consistently meet the correct standards.

LAMBSWOOL

The lambswool yarn we use for our collections has RWS (Responsible Wool Standards) certification. This means that both the sheep that produce it and the land on which they graze is actively protected. Our yarn mill only sources from farms that can demonstrate a progressive approach to managing their land and respectful animal welfare – so every sheep leads a healthy life with essential freedoms.

CASHMERE

The cashmere yarns we blend to create our Maud and Mauden sweaters has SFA (Sustainable Fibre Alliance) certification, a manufacturing standard dedicated to creating responsible cashmere production practices that safeguard people, animals and the environment. This is done by ensuring high animal welfare standards, minimising environmental impact and securing herders’ livelihoods.

COTTON

The premium cotton used to knit our GS sock collection has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard known as GOTS.

This manufacturing model not only ensures safe and fair working conditions for both cotton manufacturers and textile chain workers but results in a premium quality product free from harmful substances such as pesticides, fertilisers or defoliants.

SPARKLY YARNS

The sparkly yarn detail within our GS socks has either FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and Eco Vero certification or STANDARD 100 OEKO-TEX® certification.

Being certified by the FSC means that any products containing wood and its origins (in this case the cellulose used to produce viscose) comes only from forests managed in an environmentally responsible way. Likewise, EcoVero certifies the origin of the product is from green sources, and that an eco-friendly production process has taken place.

STANDARD 100 OEKO-TEX® certification means that the textile fibres have been extensively tested and declared free of harmful substances. As a result, they are deemed completely safe for human health.

BUTTONS

An often-overlooked detail, for us buttons are an integral part of the GS cardigan. They are also another opportunity to demonstrate Genevieve’s commitment to slow, responsible fashion. Our buttons are made from sustainable materials by Courtney & Co. – the last button makers in the UK – and crafted in a way that minimises waste from start to finish.

Some of our buttons are made from Corozo – a natural, biodegradable product derived from the nuts of the Tagua Palm. This amazing tree grows in the rainforests of central and southern America and produces the nuts without any need for human harvesting. It’s actually such a valuable crop that the forests where it grows are being actively preserved.

The rest of our buttons are made from Codelite – another natural and biodegradable product created by curing and hardening the naturally occurring proteins found in milk.
Codelite first became a staple of button manufacturing in the early twentieth century, and by reviving it Courtney & Co. commit to reducing the amount of plastic within the industry.

While we hope that this guide provides an informative and inspiring starting point, of course, there are still areas that we need to work on. As a business, we are always learning, researching and questioning each step of the process – from raw materials, to waste reduction and logistical shifts that help to keep our carbon footprint low.
In the coming months, there will be more GS products made using responsible fibres, including recycled wool from discarded knitwear and innovative regenerative merino yarn. For Genevieve, it is hugely important to remain honest and transparent about the brand’s ecological and ethical endeavours; and ensure that every step of your GS experience is kind and considerate to our planet.