To celebrate Wool Week (5 -11 September), John Lewis will be launching a 100% organic wool range from Soil Association member Cornish Organic Wool.
The launch coincides with Organic September - a chance for producers, consumers and retailers to recognise and celebrate the success of the organic market and all it stands for. This new partnership between Cornish Organic Wool and John Lewis is a further boost to the organic textiles sector following an amazing 35% growth in sales for certified organic businesses in 2010.
Sourced from His Royal Highness Prince Charles’ organic Duchy Home Farm, situated within the grounds of Highgrove Estate, this Cornish Organic Wool range is produced, spun and dyed organically with Soil Association certification from sheep to shelf.
Traditionally, Cornish Organic Wool dye their products by hand, but since Paint Box Textiles in Yorkshire received Soil Association certification for their organic dyeing, Cornish Organic Wool are able to produce yarns on a larger scale – whist still meeting organic standards throughout the production process.
Soil Association textile certification symbol complies with the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) – the international gold standard for organic textiles.
Lee Holdstock, Soil Association Certification textiles expert, commented on the launch: “This is a significant achievement for Cornish Organic Wool and for the organic textiles sector in general. It is now possible to produce materials on a scale big enough to supply to mainstream retailers and fashion houses, whilst still meeting organic standards across the whole of the production process. This makes it easier for the market to meet the increasing consumer demand for textiles that are planet friendly, promote better working conditions and high animal welfare, and are free from harmful chemicals.”
Matt Hopson, co-founder of Cornish Organic Wool said: “We’re delighted that our products are available to buy on the high street. Since we began, we’ve been producing organically certified yarns that put the environment and welfare of our sheep first. If retailers like John Lewis begin stocking organic wool, consumers will find it easier to help maintain a wool industry which is environmentally sustainable, animal friendly and produce diverse materials.”
Sam Drysdale, Buyer for Haberdashery at John Lewis added: “Our customers are increasingly interested in provenance, and it’s great to be able to offer them this ethically sourced and organic wool from Cornish Organic Wool. The popularity of knitting and crocheting is growing as we have seen a 25% rise in knit kits sales this year, and expect this brand to be very popular.”
Source: Soil Association
