'Bamford was born out of a belief that what we put on our body should be as nourishing and nurturing as what we put inside it through our food. Our products are beautifully considered, rich in meaning and quality, with a story we can be proud of. '

Many traditional craft skills are at risk of being lost as mass manufacturing provides a cheaper alternative with much more damaging environmental impact and footprints. In many craft communities, younger generations are losing touch with the skills that are woven into their heritage, resulting in the extinction of production methods that have been around for centuries. By providing a source of income and productivity for these communities and makers, we extend a lifeline to the knowledge and artistry that underpins craft – providing renewed meaning and a new relevance for traditional skills.

Through our collections – particularly those for the home – we explore our deep appreciation and connection to regional craftspeople to reimagine their ancient skills. Artisans rarely work in isolation; their method is rooted in a strong connection to the landbase from which they source their materials, or the social background of their community. Our support of these local communities, and the factories, makers and artisans that sustain them, are as important to us as the materials we work.

• Handwoven and handprinted fabrics have a strong presence in each of our collections, allowing us to embrace and support a heritage, traditions and skills passed down through generations. This year, one fifth of our Spring-Summer collection employed traditional hand-block printing, hand-spinning and handweaving techniques, predominantly from India.

• 50% of our knitwear is made in Scotland and 50% is made in Italy, providing essential support for an industry rooted in small-scale family businesses that are in danger of being lost.

• Each season we collaborate with a series of artists and makers to craft beautiful objects for the home and conscious living. Our ongoing efforts to support local craftspeople is part of our commitment to championing slower methods of production, favouring quality over quantity and celebrating the beauty in the imperfect.

Working closely with independent makers and small-scale producers guarantees a quality and longevity that mass mechanical production cannot surpass. The craftspeople we collaborate with have a deep respect for the materials they work with, and strive to produce objects that will be cherished and long-lasting.

Designing fewer collections for maximum longevity is part of our commitment to treading more lightly. The concept of ‘waste’ does not exist in the earth’s naturally circular systems, in which all resources are used and fed back into the ecosystem for future nourishment. Our collections are thoughtfully curated and produced in small runs to ensure that we avoid contributing to the mounting waste problem, selectively sourcing and minimizing the volume of materials and resources that enter and leave the product life cycle.

We also design our products in a way that ensures they will not degrade the land if they are eventually disposed of or recycled. Our choice to use predominantly natural fibres ensures our garments are of the highest quality that can be worn and loved for many years, and will ultimately biodegrade. As natural fibres biodegrade they return carbon to the soil and provide nutrients for growth, in contrast to synthetic fibres such as polyester which takes decades to decompose and would degrade the soil in the process.

We understand that pieces purchased from Bamford are an investment, and we want to provide the means for you to enjoy your garment for a very long time. One of the simplest yet most effective things we can each do for the planet is to extend the life of our clothes. Our Preferred Materials guide provides a reference for how to care for our most-used natural fibres and materials, offering a helpful resource if you have questions about washing, storing or even repairing your garments. If your question is not answered by our online guide, we invite you to send us an email at customerservice@bamford.co.uk. You can also bring your garment into any of our Bamford stores, and our teams will be able to advise on available repair services.

• For 2021, 79% of cotton fibres used in our collection are fully traceable from source and 64% is GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. We have increased our usage of traceable cotton by 12% from 2020, and are commited to growing this number each season.

• 46% of the wool fibres used in our 2021 collections is traceable to the source and 27% of wool fibres used are Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified. The Responsible Wool Standard is a voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of the sheep and the land they graze on; it ensures the farmers have a progressive approach to managing their land, and practising holistic respect for their animals’ welfare.

• This Autumn-Winter season we are proud to introduce regenerative fibres into our clothing collection: 28% of the silk we are using is sourced from a silk farm that uses regenerative farming practices.

Consideration for where we source our materials extends beyond our products and into our packaging. We avoid unnecessary packaging where possible, embracing both recycled and recyclable solutions as well as designing high quality vessels that can be kept and given a second life. Our bags and envelopes used in store are made from an innovative recycled cotton paper, and our online delivery boxes are made from recycled cardboard that is 100% recyclable.

Community is at the heart of the Bamford philosophy, and it has always been our mission to nurture the relationships we have with like-minded collaborators and initiatives who share in this. It is a philosophy that stems from the work of our founder, Carole Bamford, a champion of craftsmanship, traditional skills, and natural living.

Carole Bamford has set up several foundations to support a range of community-based causes with a particular focus and commitment to supporting women. As a female-founded business, this is a cause that is woven into the fabric of Bamford’s story.

The Lady Bamford Charitable Trust was founded in 2001 with the objective of helping people from the most disadvantaged quarters in India access a better quality of life.

Since the Trust’s launch, it has supported the quality of education within schools; provided skills and training to help prepare pupils for life after school; helped women and young men from developing communities learn traditional crafts and then use these skills to provide valuable employment; set up self-help groups within rural communities so that women have greater financial literacy and autonomy and helped build roads, sanitation units, water pipelines and provide medical facilities.

Founded in 2011, Positive Luxury connects luxury brands and people who care about the future through the unique Butterfly Mark certification, which demonstrate a company’s positive action towards people and our planet. The Butterfly Mark certification identifies Bamford as part of a community of businesses that is collectively seeking to transform the luxury industry through sustainable and ethical practices that not only mitigate their impact on the planet, but aim to contribute positively to its future.

We understand the urgency of attending to our planet’s health and the role we play as a business and a community to contribute in a positive way. We acknowledge that sustainability is not an end-goal that can be met or achieved; it is a journey of ongoing improvement, an enduring commitment to responsible practises and continuous education throughout our community. It is something that can always be improved upon.

We are ambitious and determined, and we are also grateful to our community for your patience while we learn – from our community and from the earth – how we can further lighten our footprint. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.