vauno

The Heart and Soul of vauno

vauno, derived from the Wendish word for ​‘wool,’ is more than a brand; it’s a collective of passionate individuals dedicated to sheep farming, textiles, and climate protection. Ute Luft, the driving force behind vauno and elbwolle, embarked on this journey 16 years ago. Moving to Wendland in the North of Germany with her family, she began with Gotland sheep, which soon became a flock, symbolising the growth of her vision. vauno’s team comprises individuals who put their heart and soul into every aspect of the brand, highlighting Germany’s history of sheep farming and its essential part in maintaining biodiversity, local culture, and resilience. All clothing is crafted in small numbers in vauno’s own workshop in Wendland. All other manufacturing steps occur within the EU, ensuring ethical working standards.

Local Wool, Global Impact

The brand focuses on promoting and utilising local North German wool, often overlooked in favour of softer varieties like Australian Merino. vauno believes in the potential of this local resource, not just in terms of quality but as a catalyst for Germany’s reduction of its environmental footprint within the fashion industry. By sourcing wool from local sheep farms, especially those grazing on the dykes, vauno is supporting regional agriculture, biodiversity and sustainable landscaping. In addition, the brand collaborates with sheep farmers, a job that is under threat of extinction in Germany. This radically minimises transportation emissions, resulting in each item travelling just 950 km from fibre to finished garment. Its grass cardboard packaging, alongside RePack, for smaller packages, further minimises its environmental impact.

vauno implements the environmentally friendly and circular packaging solution RePack for its shipments. In addition, its woollen products are fully recyclable and biodegradable.

A Regional Approach

vauno’s approach to circularity is grounded in its regional focus and wool’s natural properties. vauno purchases 10 – 12 tons of wool annually from surrounding sheep farms, processed into yarns and fabrics within Germany, with raw wool being washed in Poland. This focus on building and extending a local supply chain supports regional businesses and craftsmanship and significantly reduces its carbon footprint. Its finished products, like machine-knitted hats and sweaters, travel a remarkably short journey in today’s globalised clothing manufacturing structures.

Germany has enshrined animal welfare into its constitution. Despite the lack of certification for most sheep farmers and their wool, this primarily stems from the undervalued status of regional wool in Germany, which is considered a secondary product of sheep farming. vauno, however, fosters close relationships with its partner shepherd:esses, ensuring they adhere to national and regional animal welfare standards. vauno’s partnering shepherd:esses are certified organic. Furthermore, the sheep graze and live in the biological reserve Elbe River Landscape.

vauno epitomises slow fashion. The brand focuses on producing not only durable and timeless clothing but also versatile and unisex, designed to last. The brand only produces a small selection of made-to-order, seasonless pieces and does not offer sales or discounts. This approach counters the fast fashion trend, promoting sustainability through longevity, timeless design and true cost reflection.

Transparency is key to vauno. The brand believes in letting customers know where and how their clothing is made. With its unique ​‘life cycle’ code on each product, customers can trace every step of the production process, from wool harvesting to the final stitching. This transparency builds trust and ensures its customers are fully aware of their clothing’s journey.