Studio Orf

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Düsseldorf, Germany 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES

Studio Orf produces exclusively in Germany, and does so in-house in Düsseldorf. The products are handmade.

Handmade production in the company’s own studio enables full transparency and fairer working conditions, as no outsourced production steps that are difficult to control are necessary. Local craftsmanship is also strengthened.

There are no traditional suppliers and therefore no regular visits or standardised audits. Materials are sourced personally and locally.

The founder supports the circular economy by using textile waste and old garments. Although there is no collaboration with formal social enterprises, purchasing from social department stores indirectly supports a social cause. 

Workshops in Düsseldorf promote access to manual labour and knowledge.

MATERIALS

• Second-hand wool
• Old clothing / textile remnants
• Donated yarn and material
• Materials from social department stores and flea markets

Studio Orf pays attention to natural fibres, but occasionally uses polyester in bags and baskets for tear resistance. 

PACKAGING

Studio Orf currently sells mainly offline and is therefore not dependent on packaging.

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS

Studio Orf only uses pre-existing materials such as second-hand wool and old clothing, which significantly reduces water consumption and the use of new chemicals. As no industrial dyeing, printing or bleaching processes are used, no additional chemical pollution is created. However, there are no official certifications. Products made from polyester secondhand yarn can potentially release microplastics during washing – however, this risk is relativised by the limited amount of material and the longevity of the products.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Studio Orf mainly uses recycled and upcycled materials such as second-hand wool and old clothing, making each product individual and resource-saving. However, the materials used are often mixed fabrics, which can limit the recyclability of the end products. 

There is currently no take-back initiative for used products. 

As all pieces are hand-crocheted, they are relatively easy to repair if necessary, especially if customers contact the founder directly.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

Studio Orf does not offer an official repair service and does not co-operate with a repair workshop. There is also currently no take-back initiative for used or worn products. 

Instead, the focus is on avoiding waste through the exclusive use of second-hand and leftover materials as well as long-lasting individual items. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Düsseldorf, Germany 
• Studio Orf has its headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Studio Orf has a simple, locally orientated supply chain.

TRANSPORTATION 

• Studio Orf sources materials locally, mostly from flea markets, social department stores or private donations in the Düsseldorf region. This means that there are hardly any transport emissions in the supply chain.
• As the web shop is not yet online, there is no information on the shipping methods in e‑commerce.

• Wool (from second-hand sources such as social department stores, flea markets or donations)

The wool does not come from new production, but is procured exclusively second-hand. There is no information on the original origin or animal husbandry.
 

PRODUCT DESIGN

Studio Orf produces hand-crocheted products such as bags, baskets, hats and scrunchies, currently mainly for adults. There is no special children’s collection.

The pieces are mostly one size or size-independent (e.g. accessories). 

The focus is on individual designs rather than standardised collections – which leaves room for personal customisation.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Studio Orf has no fixed collections, but works with a continuously growing selection of individual pieces that are created depending on the availability of materials and inspiration.

There is no overproduction at Studio Orf, as all products are deliberately handmade in small quantities. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT

Studio Orf does not currently have a website, so no product pages are available.

However, individual products can still be traced, as they are all made personally in Düsseldorf by the founder herself. Customers usually receive information about materials and production directly at markets or workshops.

TRANSPARENCY ON THE PROCESS

Studio Orf provides informal and personal information about their working methods, especially when selling at markets or workshops. Information is shared about the materials used and the creation process.

So far, transparency has taken place on a personal level and not systematically.