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Fashion

WHAT LIES BENEATH

We uncover how lingerie brands are developing their sustainable practices with a little help from Andreas Röhrich of the legendary hosiery brand Wolford and co-founders Nicola Piercy and Katie Lopes of the ‘it’ girl underwear brand Stripe + Stare on why eco-friendly practice is top of their agenda...

STRIPE + STARE

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Nicola Piercy and Katie Lopes, Co-Founders of Stripe + Stare

ON THE STRIPE + STARE GIRL...

Nicola says, "She loves fashion but is not a slave to it. She believes in buying the best every now and again rather than buying cheaper items that won’t last."

ON DEVELOPING UNDERWEAR...

Looking back on the beginning stages Nicola shares "the modal (a type of fabric) we researched and sourced took ten years but eventually ticked all the boxes – including sustainability. With all the information we are equipped with nowadays, it is important in every facet of our lives to ensure we are addressing the future and taking responsibility, as individuals, for looking after the planet."

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Stripe + Stare is available online and in all our stores.

SHOP STRIPE + STARE

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ON WATER PRESERVATION...

Describing the closed loop process in which underwear are made, Nicola adds "this means all the water used, once it enters the loop, is recycled again and again. It uses 95% less water in the production process than cotton."

ON THEIR ETHICAL PRACTICES...

"We only work with one small factory. It is well run and the staff are well looked after and we have total visibility of our supply chain.” Nicola continues “empowerment is a key message for us – we are a company for women, by women, we always have each other’s backs no matter what. As such this year we are giving 5% of profits to The Fawcett Society, a charity supporting women’s rights such as equal pay and gender equality."

ON OTHER BRANDS THAT INSPIRE...

"It would have to be Veja and Diptyque."


SHOP STRIPE + STARE

WOLFORD

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Andreas Röhrich, Director of Product Development & Innovation at Wolford.

ON BUILDING AN ICONIC BRAND...

Andreas explains: "from humble beginnings, Reinhold Wolff and Walter Palmers established their factory on the shore of Lake Constance in 1950. With the arrival of circular knitting machines to create seamless stockings, and the first integration of nylons in hosiery in Europe, the foundation of Wolford is innovation. A lot of celebs would never wear anything other than Wolford tights, from the Hadid sisters to Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Scarlett Johansson and Hailey Bieber."

ON BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION...

When beginning to tackle their environmental footprint Andreas recalls "we had to rethink our entire production process, from supply chain to the dying colours. Wolford is now Cradle to Cradle certified on gold level, which means we meet the highest standards in the textile industry for sustainability."

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Wolford is available online and in all our stores.

ON BEING BUILT TO LAST...

Wolfords longevity is legendary, "we have customers who tell us that they have some tights since the 1980's." Andreas continues "of course, it’s more difficult to take care of super light denier styles. But when you think about a Pure 50 or a Matte Opaque 80, those can last forever."

ON PROLONGING THE LIFE OF YOUR TIGHTS...

Top tips from Andreas is to "always follow the care instructions on the label, put them in a pillowcase when washing and don’t wash them by hand, you easily rip them when wearing rings or bracelets. If you put on sheer tights like our Nude 8 tights, then it’s best to wear gloves."

Be inspired by our sustainable lingerie and shop the best below...

SHOP SUSTAINABLE LINGERIE

YOUR ETHICAL UNDERWEAR EDIT

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