SUSTAINABILITY
A FULL CIRCLE ECONOMY
Hickey Freeman is taking steps to participate in a full circle economy through our use of textiles produced with sustainable, biodegradable fibers and ensuring that none of the garments we make go to waste. Part of this process is ensuring unused fabrics are reused and clothing is given away.
Another step is considering the fabrics we use to make garments, the processes that take place during production, and what happens to garments years later. We ask ourselves how we can minimize the production of waste through the use of eco-friendly materials that have a less harmful impact when decomposed into soil and finding ways to repurpose and reuse materials.
USE OF SUSTAINABLE FIBERS
Every season we work to make our collections more sustainable through the use of natural fibers as a way of reducing the impact textiles have on the environment.
The lasting effect of using eco-friendly, biodegradable fibers is the difference it makes in reducing the environmental footprint of the textile and fashion industry.
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability with information on our Honey Way Collection and Bemberg linings. (see below).
USE OF SUSTAINABLE FIBERS
Every season we work to make our collections more sustainable through the use of natural fibers as a way of reducing the impact textiles have on the environment.
The lasting effect of using eco-friendly, biodegradable fibers is the difference it makes in reducing the environmental footprint of the textile and fashion industry.
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability with information on our Honey Way Collection and Bemberg linings. (see below).
SUSTAINABILITY
We are making strides to reduce the impact of textile waste on landfills through FABSCRAP, a non-profit organization addressing NYC’s commercial textile waste. In 2018, our recycling of 503 pounds of textile waste has prevented 3.7 tons of CO2 emissions and is the equivalent of nearly 87 newly planted trees.
SUSTAINABILITY
We are making strides to reduce the impact of textile waste on landfills through FABSCRAP, a non-profit organization addressing NYC’s commercial textile waste. In 2018, our recycling of 503 pounds of textile waste has prevented 3.7 tons of CO2 emissions and is the equivalent of nearly 87 newly planted trees.
FABRICS
DELFINO HONEYWAY:
ECO-FRIENDLY FINISHING & WATER CONSERVATION
The Honey Way Collection gets its name from the unique beeswax treatment that gives the fabric its performance attributes: water repellence, stain resistance, breathability and natural stretch - while keeping a supple feel to luxury cloth. The eco-friendly process avoids the use of harsh chemicals and their damaging water run-off.
This collection is designed for those who seek maximum refinement with minimal environmental footprint.
Learn more about our Honey Way Collection here.
SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATE FOR
BEMBERG LINING
All of Hickey Freeman’s core clothing are created with Bermberg lining, a regenerated fiber derived from cotton which makes it naturally biodegradable. Bemberg offers the benefits of natural fiber as well as the functionality of chemical fiber while producing fabric with silk-like softness, breathability, and rich, lustrous colors.
SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATE FOR
BEMBERG LINING
All of Hickey Freeman’s core clothing are created with Bermberg lining, a regenerated fiber derived from cotton which makes it naturally biodegradable. Bemberg offers the benefits of natural fiber as well as the functionality of chemical fiber while producing fabric with silk-like softness, breathability, and rich, lustrous colors.
FAIR TRADE
FAIR TRADE SUMMIT IN LIMA, PERU
Amber Härkönen, a talented member of our design team, is a NYC Fair Trade Coalition Advocate who recently traveled to Lima, Peru as part of the 15th International Fair Trade Summit. The WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) Summit is the largest global gathering of organizations representing the Fair Trade supply chain.
The summit in Peru focused on innovation across the Fair Trade movement, strengthening links between Fair Trade Enterprises, and appealing to new buyers to embrace Fair Trade.
FAIR TRADE SUMMIT IN LIMA, PERU
Amber Härkönen, a talented member of our design team, is a NYC Fair Trade Coalition Advocate who recently traveled to Lima, Peru as part of the 15th International Fair Trade Summit. The WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) Summit is the largest global gathering of organizations representing the Fair Trade supply chain.
The summit in Peru focused on innovation across the Fair Trade movement, strengthening links between Fair Trade Enterprises, and appealing to new buyers to embrace Fair Trade.
TEXTILES QUISPE WORKSHOP
At the Textiles Quispe workshop located in Ayacucho, Peru, artisans produce a variety of home textiles made sustainably from 100% sheep wool and alpaca with natural tints dyed by hand.
TEXTILES QUISPE WORKSHOP
At the Textiles Quispe workshop located in Ayacucho, Peru, artisans produce a variety of home textiles made sustainably from 100% sheep wool and alpaca with natural tints dyed by hand.
LA RESERVA NACIONAL PAMPA GALERAS
At La Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras, Amber visited the majestic vicuña in their natural habitat. The reserve is Peru's most important center dedicated to the conservation of the vicuña, serving as a sanctuary to some 6,000 of the species.
As part of a signed agreement with the Peruvian state, the local community complies with the conservation and sustainable use of vicuña fiber. Every year they hold a ceremony called chaccas where hundreds of villagers round up the vicuña from all over the 65 square kilometer reserve, shear the wool without harming the animals, and release them back into the wild.
ASOCIACIÓN DE ARTESANAS WAQSAKANQA
During a visit to the weaving community of Huilloc, a village located in the Peruvian Andes, the group was shown traditional weaving techniques including drop spindle spinning, natural dyeing with native plants, and weaving on backstrap looms.