Responsible Yarn Certifications

Our Knitwear Yarn Certifications

Sustainable slow fashion is at the heart of the Genevieve Sweeney brand, which embodies a more ethical and sustainable approach to creating knitwear that is both beautifully artistic and made to last. These core values are woven into our culture, from sourcing our raw fibres to crafting our products, and adding those final, personal touches. This guide details the story of those natural materials that feature in Genevieve’s collection; from sumptuous lambswool to sparkly viscose, discover how our organic and sustainable knitwear practices are helping protect the environment.

Lambswool

The lambswool yarn we use for our collections has an RWS (Responsible Wool Standards) certification. 

This means that both the sheep that produce it and the land on which they graze are actively protected. Our yarn mill only sources from farms that can demonstrate a progressive approach to managing their land and respectful animal welfare. This ensures that each sheep leads a healthy life with essential freedoms.

The extra-fine merino wool used in our marls is sourced from Scotland. The lambswool melange used in our winter accessories and oversized scarves is from Yorkshire.

Discover our lambswool garments here!

Cashmere

At the heart of our cashmere creations lies a commitment to sustainability and responsibility. The cashmere yarn we meticulously blend to craft our cashmere sweaters and socks proudly bears the esteemed certification of the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA).

This manufacturing standard is 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.

Our journey to sustainable luxury begins in Scotland, where we carefully source the finest cashmere fibres. For our Maud sweaters, we go the extra mile, blending our cashmere with lambswool sourced from Northern Italy. This fusion of craftsmanship and heritage results in garments that not only exude timeless elegance but also embody our values of sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Cotton

Step into sustainable comfort with our sock collection. The premium cotton used to knit our sock collection has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). With the GOTS seal of approval, we guarantee that our cotton is grown and harvested with the utmost care and free from harmful chemicals.

This manufacturing model not only provides 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. Nowhere is our ethical integrity more pronounced than in the material used for our organic cotton socks.

Our cotton is sourced from Northern Italy. 

Check out our cotton sock range,

Sparkly Yarns

The sparkly yarn detail within our Genevieve Sweeney sock collection 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) come 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.

But our dedication to excellence doesn’t end there. Our sparkly yarns originate from the picturesque landscapes of Northern Italy.

viscose

Each knit in our collection is crafted from fibres that have been regenerated from post-consumer waste, giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

We’re proud to offer you a range of viscose knits crafted from 100% pure regenerated viscose. What makes them truly special is they’re 100% recycled,  bearing the esteemed RCS 100 (Recycled Claim Standard) certification.

RCS 100 verifies the presence and amount of recycled material in a final product, allowing for the evaluation and verification of recycled materials content claims on garments and other products. Awarded through a third-party chain-of-custody verification process, the award communicates honesty with customers and is a marker of how Genevieve Sweeney is committed to producing sustainable knitwear.

Our viscose is also sourced from Northern Italy. 

The alpaca collection

Genevieve has hand-selected fleece from The Border Mill’s herd of Alpacas to create unique yarn, certified by Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) and spun from family connections within the herd to give a distinctive, individual look and feel with blends of natural colours. 

Every garment is produced within the UK and has an incredibly soft feel that emphasises the characteristics of alpaca fibres. Every yarn is exclusive and every garment, completely individual.

Buttons

An often overlooked detail, for us buttons are an integral part of Genevieve Sweeney cardigans. They are also another opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable slow fashion. Most of our buttons are made from sustainable materials by Courtney & Co., the last button maker in the UK and are 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. Its value is such that the forests in which 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. have committed to reducing the amount of plastic within the industry.

While we hope this guide offers an informative and inspiring starting point, we know there are still areas that need work. 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 us keep our carbon footprint low.

As we introduce new Genevieve Sweeney products, we continue to utilise and introduce new responsible fibres, ranging from organic cotton, recycled wool, and an innovative regenerative merino yarn to continue our mission in crafting ethical and sustainable knitwear. For Genevieve, it is hugely important to remain honest and transparent about our brand’s ecological and ethical endeavours.