Where is The Heirloom Woollen Collection created?
Heirloom Woollen Collection is 100 per cent designed and manufactured in our New Zealand crafted from the finest local fibres in the world. New Zealand provides the perfect conditions for sourcing the highest quality wools, fibre and yarn, which is the perfect spot to create our bespoke, artisanal collections.
Why should I choose New Zealand made products over others?
As well as its geographic isolation that means its natural wonders – and products – are of the finest quality, the country of New Zealand has very strict regulations and laws in place to protect the consumer and the environment. Its human rights record is flawless, and as a nation Aotearoa is known for its integrity and respect for others and the planet.The New Zealand Commerce Commission was created many years ago to regulate the price and quality of goods and services to benefit consumers, and local consumer information standards regulations require the disclosure of certain information about goods and services so that transparency is key.
How do I know that my The Heirloom Woollen Collection purchase is authentic?
Each piece sold from The Heirloom Woollen Collection comes with a Certificate of Authenticity bearing its own individual product code. You can enter this code on our website immediately after purchase to have its authenticity verified in seconds.
Why choose New Zealand wool?
The quality and softness of wool is determined a great deal by where the animal it comes from resides and grazes, and New Zealand’s climate and farming practices mean that the raw materials we have access to are amongst the finest in the world. The unique weather conditions, stringent animal welfare laws and government policy for conservation all contribute to the quality of our beautiful fibres. The amazing, ever changing landscape of New Zealand means that New Zealand sheep are able to adapt to all weather conditions and even when the ground is covered with snow, they are able to descend to the seashore to feed.
Do you sell The Heirloom Woollen Collection online?
At present, no. Many of our stockists have an online presence but it’s not our intention. We prefer to invest in those who have invested in us as a company.
What type of wool is used in The Heirloom Woollen Collection?
We use a variety of wools to create the ranges within the Heirloom Woollen Collection, each chosen for its unique qualities. These include Alpaca and Merino, alongside fibres from Possum and Cervelt. You can find out more about each of these fibres and why we have chosen them in our About Us/Our Yarn section on this website.
What if I would like to become a stockist of The Heirloom Woollen Collection?
Then please get in touch! You can find our details on our contact page and we are also on WeChat, which you can talk directly to our customer services representative to find out more information.
Why choose natural fibre?
Natural fibres are any fibres that come from plants or animals – as opposed to synthetic fibres are petrochemical-based, basically plastic.
Synthetic fibres do not biodegrade, meaning they sit in landfill when they are discarded, not breaking down as natural materials do. Because of their more compact molecular structure, synthetic fibres cannot capture air and “breathe” in the same way as their natural counterparts. That is why a 100 per cent cotton T-shirt is so comfortable to wear on a hot summer’s day, and why polyester and acrylic garments can make the wearer feel hot and clammy under the same conditions. Wool is a good example as it can absorb liquid up to 35 per cent of its own weight, woollen blankets efficiently absorb and disperse the cup of water lost through perspiration during sleep, leaving sheets dry and healthier all round.
Natural fibres are also a renewable resource – they have been renewed by nature and human ingenuity for millennia. During processing, they generate mainly organic wastes and leave residues that can be used to generate electricity or make ecological housing material. And, at the end of their life cycle, they are 100 per cent biodegradable.
When it comes to woollen garments, does thicker always mean warmer?
This is a myth that we are happy to debunk. The finer a fibre is, the warmer its is for the wearer – and it also helps to regulate temperature which makes it perfect for children and babies. Think of fine yarn, like a thermos for your body – it can keep you warm or cool depending on your needs. It keeps you warm without overheating your body too – fine wool clothing not only keeps the skin dry and warm, but also adjusts its degree of insulation to some degree to suit the amount of activity of its wearer and external temperature.
When a garment is 100 per cent wool, what makes some feel soft while others feel prickly?
This can be determined by such a plethora of reasons, including everything from the wearer’s skin sensitivity to seasonal change and the texture of an individual fibre. Even the tightness of a garment’s weave can impact on the overall “feel” to the wearer, as well as the cleaning of the garment as it ages.
A research on the comfort of wool fabrics worn close to the skin has shown that fibre ends protruding from the surface of a fabric can trigger nerve endings just below the skin surface, providing an irritating sensation; In order to increase a skin comfort, it is possible to decrease the number of irritant fibres. This implies that to avoid prickle altogether, fine wool must be chosen with a mean diameter well below 20 microns or less.
Why do some wool garments pill and others don’t?
This too can be affected by the wearer, but the most common reason that a garment pills is when shorter and/or weaker fibres protrude above the fabric. When subject to friction (e.g., rubbing), these fibres catch and create little clumps commonly known as “pills.” How much your fabric pills generally depends on a combination of variables, including: type of fibre (soft yarns often pill more), fibre length (short staple-yarns pill more), fibre quality (poor quality yarns will break and pill more), and/or twist of then yarn (the tighter the twist, the less pilling).
