Natascha von Hirschhausen is a small team of five focusing on artisanal garment production utilising innovative, zero-waste pattern-cutting techniques. Her entire collections are created locally in her boutique atelier in Berlin Mitte and a small partnering atelier in Berlin. Ethical working practices are ensured since all her materials are GOTS, IVN Best and Fairtrade certified alongside local production.
Natascha von Hirschhausen exclusively uses sustainable and natural materials for her zero-waste fashion collection. All components are plastic-free and biodegradable. All materials are certified organic by GOTS or IVN Best standard and additional Fairtrade agreements to ensure environmental and social sustainability along the entire value chain. All orders are shipped with DHL GoGreen and Blauer Engel certified recycled carboard.
Cotton
Sourced from Uganda and Kyrgyzstan, the cotton is obtained from genetically unmanipulated and chemically untreated seeds, with cultivation practices that renounce chemical pesticides. The fibres are handpicked, eliminating the need for chemical defoliants and ensuring no harmful substances enter our textile products. This approach not only improves soil quality but also protects workers’ health. To guarantee social security, the brand adheres to fair-for-life agreements and conducts annual environmental and social standards reviews. The cotton fibres are spun in Turkey, woven into fabric in the Czech Republic, and finally sanforised in Germany to prevent garment shrinking. Every step of the value chain is subject to rigorous environmental and social checks.
Wool
A cooperative of sheep farmers in Uruguay has come together to specialise in controlled biological livestock farming. Their small flocks of Merino sheep are raised in a manner that allows them to roam freely and receive a purely organic diet. The sheep are carefully shorn, and the resulting wool is used to produce yarn, which is then knitted and processed in Austria. The traditional manufacturing process relies on pure new wool and crystal-clear spring water sourced from the mountains. The wool undergoes treatment solely with mountain spring water and heat, resulting in its distinctive textured structure. Each business involved in the value chain undergoes annual assessments to ensure strict adherence to environmental and social standards. The unique processing method eliminates the need for chemicals or plasticisers, guaranteeing a pollution-free, high-quality textile.
Cashmere
Their exquisite blend of 95% recycled cashmere and 5% extra fine merino wool is sourced and crafted with sustainability in mind. The cashmere yarn is produced in Italy using recycled cashmere, while a touch of extra fine merino wool is added for elasticity. Notably, the entire yarn production process is CO2 neutral, minimising its environmental impact.
Silk
100% organic peace silk, also known as Ahimsa Silk or Non-violent Silk, is a cruelty-free alternative produced without harming the cocoon pupae. These cocoons are cultivated in an organic and eco-friendly manner, often in natural environments, without pesticides or genetic sprays. The silk yarn is manually created using traditional methods such as manual charkha and solar-powered spinning machines. While weaving was initially solely practised on handlooms, including power looms in 2015 helped meet the demand for high-quality silk fabric. No silk waxing or optic brightening processes are performed, and the finishing touches involve using natural, high-quality oils derived from various herbs to impart softness to the fabric. This textile is used mainly for Natascha von Hirschhausen’s wedding dresses.
Biodegradable rubber band
The elastic band is 50% organic cotton and 50% natural rubber, skillfully crafted by a third-generation family business in lower Austria, benefiting from an in-house hydroelectric power plant that drives the production process. With a focus on simplicity and sustainability, this elastic band consists of only two materials: organic cotton and natural rubber. The organic cotton used undergoes annual inspections to ensure its adherence to social and environmental sustainability standards throughout the entire value chain, originating from Turkey. Similarly, the fair trade natural rubber used is thoroughly tested and food-safe, sourced from Malaysia, guaranteeing a pollution-free solution.
Sustainable Thread
The sewing thread is biodegradable and consists of pure 100% organic cotton. The yarn production is checked annually along the entire value chain for social and environmental sustainability.
Organic Buttons
The organic buttons are made from 100% pure mother-of-pearl sourced from Makassar, Indonesia. To ensure social and environmental sustainability, the production of these buttons is audited annually along the entire value chain.
Care Tags
These are printed on 100% organic cotton and are completely free of plastic materials. The organic cotton used for the care tag is carefully checked for ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain. Textile printing is carried out in Germany, using approved colours according to the Global Organic Textile Standard. Each garment is adorned with one of these hand-cut, organic tags as a finishing touch.
The yarn is transformed into garments on hand knitting machines in the brand’s Berlin studio, carefully shaping each piece stitch by stitch. By employing this meticulous technique and hand sewing, the brand ensures zero material losses, aligning with its zero-waste philosophy. Natascha’s designs achieve remarkable resource efficiency of over 99% and reduce waste to less than 1%. Alongside draping and knitting garments, Natascha’s innovative zero-waste patterns incorporate thoughtfully designed curves to ensure an optimal fit on the body. By interlocking pattern pieces, textile scraps and waste are minimised, diverging from the industry norm. The intricate nesting of pattern curves guarantees an impeccable fit. Natascha’s holistic, sustainable concept, including the zero-waste pattern innovation, earned her the prestigious Bundespreis Ecodesign award in 2017 in the product category.
In addition, all fabrics used are of natural origin and organically certified, making the finished pieces fully biodegradable.
All individual garments are created by the small team in the brand’s Berlin-based, bespoke atelier and a second partnering atelier based in Berlin. The natural and certified fabrics, as well as the haberdashery, are all personally sourced. Although the raw material suppliers are not disclosed, Natascha is happy to answer any questions on request. Her detailed information on the fabrics she uses gives a comprehensive insight into the raw material origins, including Uruguay, Indonesia, Uganda, Kyrgyzstan and Italy.
The sustainable collection encompasses a variety of animal-friendly materials. In Uruguay, a cooperative of sheep farmers specialises in controlled biological livestock farming, providing organic diets and ample freedom for their Merino sheep. The resulting wool is processed using traditional methods in Austria, while the brand’s blend of recycled cashmere and extra fine merino wool is sourced sustainably and crafted with care. Their silk selection includes 100% organic peace silk, produced without harm to the pupae inside the cocoons and processed using traditional techniques. These animal-friendly materials are key components of Natascha von Hirschhausen’s collection.
Natascha von Hirschhausen’s designs are made-to-last, exceptionally tailored and made of premium materials. Natascha and her team offer free repairs to extend each garment’s lifecycle. Her seasonless and timeless designs ensure her garments surpass trends and can be worn effortlessly for decades.
All fabrics are certified according to the brand. Natascha von Hirschhausen is happy to disclose her suppliers on request.
Due to the brand’s artisanal nature and the intense competition Natascha von Hirschhausen faces, it is advisable not to disclose a list of suppliers publicly, as doing so may potentially divert the suppliers’ attention towards larger brands that dominate the industry.
Zaključak
Natascha von Hirschhausen is a true pioneer in sustainable, local and zero-waste craftsmanship. Her passion for redefining industry standards and providing scalable solutions for the fashion industry’s pressing issues today was rewarded with the renowned national Ecodesign Award in 2017. Premium fabrics, timeless design and thoughtfully crafted pieces will ensure your purchase becomes a firm wardrobe favourite.
