FIBRE STORY: COTTON
Our AW24 collection, Gather, is proudly crafted from natural and biodegradable materials, designed to last.
SYNTHETIC VS ORGANIC
At Bamford, we believe in living consciously, in harmony with nature and respecting the land that provides for us; we are proud that both of our apparel collections from 2024 are 100% natural, meaning the garments will biodegrade at the end of their life leaving no trace. These durable fabrics are also renewable, meaning once returned to the soil, they continue to feed the land and contributing to new life.
Synthetic fabrics can take up to 1000 years to decompose – between 60 and 70% of textiles in the EU are made from plastic, namely nylon and polyester. Each time synthetic garments are washed and dried, they release tiny plastic fibres. These microplastics can bypass sewage systems and end up in oceans, contributing to significant pollution—an estimated half a million tons annually (source: earth.org).
Although cotton is a natural fibre, and therefore biodegradable, to be truly sustainable the cultivation process and product must meet certain criteria. For example, unlike conventional cotton, organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, which helps to preserve soil health and avoid water pollution, minimising harm to existing ecosystems.
GOTS ORGANIC
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the leading international standard for processing organic fibres. It covers both ecological and social criteria, ensuring sustainability throughout the entire textile supply chain. Aside from its sustainable credentials, in comparison to synthetics, organic cotton offers superior breathability and comfort. 88% of the cotton used in our collection is GOTS organic, considering key features such as environmental management and worker rights and safety, ensuring the fabric created has a positive impact on the environment and your body.
We’re proud of this achievement but recognise there’s more to be done. Sustainability is an ongoing journey; we have consistently increased the percentage of certified organic or handwoven cotton in our collections each year since 2018. It is a journey of ongoing improvement, and we are committed to increasing this percentage to 100%.
Shop our new in pieces crafted from GOTS organic cotton:
