SUSTAINABLY MINDED
To be truly sustainable is to be regenerative. Our ultimate goal is to give back more than we take – to support the ecosystems that support us. How do we plan to do this? By making the most environmentally and socially conscious choices available across all areas of our business. If there’s a better way of doing something, we want to implement it.
Nagnata was originally founded on the philosophy of ‘sustainably minded design’ because overall making new fashion is not sustainable, but if we as an industry continue to make better choices our impact on the environment will steadily decrease.
From the beginning, our focus has been on pushing boundaries in the industry through textile innovation. By applying advanced technology to the properties of organic, natural and renewable fibres, we have created the technical knit fabrications synonymous with the brand today. The sports industry is primarily focused on using synthetic fibres for performance garments, and while this is an easier and more cost effective option, it’s not great for the planet or for human health. We want to do better – much better – which is why we continue to challenge this outdated approach, exploring new ways to integrate sustainable fibres and further reduce synthetics in Nagnata garments. Synthetic fibres are derived from petrochemicals and take an eternity to break down, choking our waterways and our wildlife. Skin needs to breathe, and so does the earth.
CLEANER CLOTHING: WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN MATTERS
The fashion industry is the world’s second largest polluter behind the oil industry. The textile industry is the third largest user of water globally after the oil and paper industries. It’s an unglamorous reality that’s tough to face, but if we don’t address it the consequences will be dire – for us and for the planet. This is why we made the decision early on to be pioneers in fabric innovation, choosing natural, certified yarns and fabrics, which have a significantly lower water footprint than synthetic garments such as polyester or nylon. The washing of synthetic fabrics creates microfibre waste, which runs into our waterways and marine habitats, with nearly 35% of this coming from consumer households. In addition to their effect on natural ecosystems, the production of synthetic fibres is a significant contributor to climate change. Synthetics are made from chemicals known as polymers that are derived from petrochemicals (i.e. crude oil), making the fashion industry a major consumer of fossil fuel, which as we know is a leading cause of climate change. The harmful impact of synthetics on the planet is clearly a serious issue, but it’s not our only concern.
Skin is our largest organ and dermal absorption means that chemicals from our clothing can enter our system. There’s been a lot of discussion in recent times about the harmful toxins and chemicals found in beauty products, but what of those hidden in our clothing? As we mentioned, synthetics are derived from petrochemicals and non-organic fibres frequently contain high levels of pesticides and fertilisers used in conventional farming. We don’t want that on, or in, our bodies, which is why Nagnata uses the highest possible content of natural and organic fibres in our garments.
In circumstances where we do need to use synthetics as an unavoidable component of a stretch garment, we opt to work with core-spun yarns where possible. Our core spun yarns have a stretch filament yarn wrapped in superfine Merino Wool, so mainly the natural fibres touch the skin.
These subtle considerations may go unnoticed by our customer, but they’re extremely important to us. Upholding our commitment to a conscious and transparent design process is a non-negotiable for Nagnata, and we want each garment to reflect that.
“Finding the ultimate balance between style and sustainability is what keeps us moving forward, pursuing new ideas and pushing boundaries in the industry. The potential for future growth and innovation far beyond anything we’ve seen before exists at the intersection of these two ideas – and for us, that’s the most exciting place to be.”
– Laura May, Nagnata founder.
DESIGNED TO LAST
We’ve created the Nagnata uniform with versatility, longevity and functionality in mind – our pieces will take you from the studio to the street and everywhere in between.
One of the more challenging aspects of waste reduction is measuring the longevity of a garment. Why? Because everyone wears and cares for their clothes differently. This is why we see longevity as a collaborative effort between designer, maker and wearer. Using high quality fabrications and exceptionally skilled makers ensures that our garments are built to last, but how well they’re cared for by the wearer also plays a significant part in the sustainability of a garment.
We choose to use natural fibres because we care about quality, human health and environmental impact, but they do require a little extra care. Because the yarns are shorter in natural fibres than they are in synthetics, they are more likely to snag and pill over time, which is why we provide tools and tips to help our customers preserve the quality of their piece. With a little love, Nagnata knits will age beautifully and can be worn forever.
Learn how to properly care for your garment with our care guide.
HONEST MESSAGING
“Green washing” is rife in the fashion industry, and we are not ok with it. At Nagnata we’re conscious about the way we communicate with our community. We make a point of being honest about the areas in which we are successfully innovating while acknowledging the obstacles we encounter in both business and product development.
We’re on a journey of discovery and we encourage our Nagnata community to be a part of our ongoing process by welcoming constructive feedback and dialogue with our customers and collaborators. We believe that full transparency is the only way to grow, improve and stay true to our ethos.
Becoming a climate positive, ethical business, and working towards giving back more than we take, isn’t always an easy (or cheap) process, but it’s one we’re wholeheartedly committed to achieving. We believe it is the responsibility of brands to build a purpose driven platform, because our future as an industry, and as a planet, depends on it. We are proud to announce Nagnata is the first Australian fashion brand to become a certified Toitū Climate Positive business.
