sustainability
From the pristine farms of New Zealand to the skilled artisans in Biella, Italy,
and the sewing experts in Lithuania, all the way to our home in Bergen, Norway
—Welhavens garments are a testament to our unwavering commitment to ethical, sustainable, and traceable production.
Our Merino wool is not just a fabric;
it’s a promise of full respect for the environment and the animals contributing to our luxurious products.
our vision
At Welhavens, our ethos is "Sustainable wool lingerie for everyday luxury," reflecting our dedication to timeless, quality lingerie over fleeting fashion trends. We embrace slow fashion, crafting durable, seasonless pieces that harmonize comfort and classic style with stringent environmental and animal welfare standards.
Our 100% natural, biodegradable ZQ-certified Merino wool lingerie is uniquely machine washable without super-wash treatment, which often involves harmful chemicals or plastic coatings. Utilizing innovative CompAct³ technology, we preserve the wool's natural qualities, offering unparalleled softness and durability, all while protecting the planet from harmful chemicals and microplastics.
While our wool originates from New Zealand, known for its high-quality Merino wool, we ensure all other components and our production are rooted in Europe. This approach minimizes shipping emissions and maintains close, transparent relationships with our suppliers, ensuring ethical practices and superior sustainability throughout our supply chain.
Welhavens is an everyday luxury that aligns with the values of care, quality, and environmental respect, embodying a dedication to craftsmanship and the ethos of living harmoniously with our environment.
our wool
Welhavens lingerie is made from 100% natural biodegradable zq-certified merino wool fibre. The raw wool comes from hand-picked farms in New Zealand where growers believe in farming sustainably for generations to come.
The wool has been spun using Redas CompAct³, a technique that amplifies many of the wool’s natural qualities, and also made it completely machine washable without using superwash treatment.
Wool is naturally a technical fabric. It regulates temperature, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Transports sweat away from the skin. Has the ability to keep you warm even if the fabric gets wet. Are breathable. Highly resistant to odour and wrinkles, and also gives some protection from UV-rays. The wool has natural stretch and doesn't sting, making it comfortable to wear.
Micron is a measurement used to classify the thickness of wool; one micron is equal to 0.001 mm. Merino wool is normally between 12 and 24 microns. The lower the number, the finer the micron and the softer the wool. Our wool is 17,5 microns, which means very fine wool fibers that are silky soft, making them perfect for next-to-skin clothing like our lingerie.
Welhavens wool is ethical. It has a sustainable production line, caring for the environment, the people, and the animals.
Learn more about ZQ-wool here.
plastic and Our Commitment
At Welhavens, our lingerie is machine washable without harmful superwash treatment, which often involves chemicals or plastic coatings that release microplastics when washed.
Instead, we use Reda's compACT³ technology, preserving the wool's natural qualities while making it machine washable.
While the bra's boning is currently made of plastic, we are actively seeking better alternatives that meet our high standards.
We’ve significantly reduced plastic packaging during shipping. Though this might cause some wrinkles, we believe it’s a worthwhile trade-off to minimize plastic use. Each garment is quality-checked and wrapped in recycled silk paper by us before delivery.
OUR FABRIC FACTORY:
reda 1865
When it comes to quality and sustainability, Reda 1865 stands out as a pioneer in the textile industry. Their dedication to environmental protection and animal welfare made them the natural choice for Welhavens. As the only wool mill with EMAS certification and the first Italian textile company to become B Corporation Certified, Reda combines artisanal traditions with advanced technology.
Welhavens’ fabric begins with exceptionally high-quality Merino wool, which Reda transforms into a jersey with remarkable performance properties. Our Merino wool benefits from Reda's innovative CompAct³ spinning system, enhancing the wool’s natural qualities by adding 30% more elasticity, 20% more softness, and 15% more resistance. This process also ensures our fabrics remain machine washable without harmful superwash treatments that release microplastics during washing.
Reda’s commitment to sustainability is further exemplified through the “Reda Sustainability Award,” which honors New Zealand and Australian wool growers who excel in sustainable practices, ensuring the highest standards of environmental and animal welfare.
CERTIFICATIONS
zq wool certification
Our Merino wool is 100% ZQ-certified, the world’s leading ethical wool standard. ZQ ensures consistent, high-quality fiber sourced from farms that meet rigorous environmental, animal welfare, and social standards.
B-CORPORATION CERTIFIED:
Reda is the first Italian textile company to earn B Corporation Certification, committing to the highest standards of performance, transparency, and accountability. Their dedication to environmental stewardship, reduced chemical use, and excellent employee welfare sets them apart.
EMAS CERTIFIcation
Reda is the only wool mill globally with EMAS certification, a voluntary EU environmental management system recognizing organizations that exceed legal environmental requirements and promote sustainability.