The Adorable Feel Of Natural Fibers

The wide variety of materials comes naturally at Samuji - different materials are celebrated for their particular qualities and possibilities. As raw material often is the driver of design at Samuji, the durability, ecological and ethical viewpoints are considered carefully in our sourcing and fabric selection processes.

Our mindset is to think long term and evoke feeling, also with materials - a sense of delight, softness, warmth or texture. With carefully selected materials, we help you make your clothing choices effortless and express yourself.

We have chosen to use as much natural materials as possible because of their incredible properties. Wool is the warm number one and needs little washing as it has the ability to keep itself clean naturally. Cotton is a durable, washable, highly breathable and lightweight material. Silk feels luxurious and warm even in thin fabric and when treated right is one of the most durable materials. Linen is amongst the most ecological of natural fibers, excellent in its lightness during warm weather and keeping you cool. The wonderful feel on the skin of natural fibers is undeniable. 

Although natural fiber fabrics usually have a rather high carbon footprint it is important to understand that high quality natural fiber fabrics have a high level of durability, longevity and recyclability in the future. We are constantly on the lookout for new recycled and man-made fiber materials. We require the same level of durability and quality from these materials as we do from raw natural fibers. 

It is essential to remember that the quality of the raw material also affects the recyclability of the material in the future. Natural fibers can be recycled only a limited amount of times.

No matter the material, it's important to love and take care of the garment persistently - this is the best way to reduce the total carbon foot print.

Graphic Data Source: Total Production of Samuji Summer Capsule 2022.

 

 

Man-made Fibers In The Right Place

Man-made fibers have a rather questionable reputation, often justifiably so. However, used wisely and in the right place they have an important purpose, contributing to bigger goals such as sustainability. 

Some man-made fibers have excellent qualities on their own. We are interested in lyocell, which is a closed loop fiber made of wood and has the characteristics between those of cotton and silk. High quality lyocell can be a great alternative to cotton or even silk. Closed loop fibers have taken a big step forward over the years and a lot is expected in the future.

Sometimes the use of synthetic fibers contributes to a fabric's longevity. An example of this would be the small percentage of polyamide fibres used in some of our wool fabrics. The decision to use such synthetic fibre in a fabric is not based on lowering the production costs - rather, it is based on the discovery that adding polyamide strengthens the wool yarn which makes the garment hold its shape better and ultimately last longer. 

Another compromise in our preference of natural fibers is with fabrics that have special qualities or textures, fabrics that are for example particularly thin, embellished, embroidered, or otherwise very delicate. For making such materials, natural fibers may not be suitable as a mono material or at all. In these cases, we may choose other fibers such as polyester, which is fortunately 100% recyclable.

It is good to note that we never base our choices solely on looks or feel, but base them on a wide range of requirements. 

Graphic Data Source: Total Production of Samuji Summer Capsule 2022.  

 

 

Surplus As A Source

The use of surplus materials in fashion is not only responsible but also pioneering. It shows that we have the courage to trust the uncompromising expertise and know-how of our designers and them to be creative in a way that is not yet widely recognized in the fashion industry. By doing so, we hope to inspire both our customers and other brands in the industry. 

Like all clothing production, Samuji also has some left over fabrics from time to time. When the design phase for a new collection begins, it's important to take into account the fabrics we already have and evaluate whether surplus materials may be used. It is always rewarding when a fabric that is already produced with something else in mind finds another use.

We actively go through our practices to understand what we can develop and do better at. To produce the right amount of products from the best fabrics, leaving us with no extra fabric left is an important goal. Each new fabric we choose to produce makes a mark on this planet, so using what we already have is crucial.

If we notice that there is some fabric left after our premeditated production quantities are made, we are happy to use these remaining meters in our ongoing production. However, we never intend to produce excess garments, so this kind of decision is always carefully made.

In addition to clothing production, we can utilize surplus fabrics by making other products like protective bags for accessories, selling small quantities of fabric to customers at our Stock Sales or use fabrics in our premises as curtains, for example. We never destroy fabrics but always use them to our advantage.

Graphic Data Source: Total Production of Samuji Summer Capsule 2022.