White Stole was born to help our savvy Brides, Bridesmaids, Mothers-of-the Bride and Wedding Guests and Luxury Goods Lovers alike contribute to the decline in the demand and production of “fast-fashion” items by buying high-quality when others are buying low.
Although most people assume that most of what they wear is natural fiber clothing, this is far from the truth. On top of how the fiber was grown and produced to create the fabric, how the fiber was processed, dyed and finished must be considered.
Conventional manufacturing processes rely heavily on chemicals to clean and bleach fibers to prepare for spinning, weaving, knitting or dying - often with heavy metals and large amounts of water to flush and clean fabrics all the way up to and including the final finishing step in the garment process. The facts regarding production of new materials also make vintage, recycled, reclaimed and surplus fabric arguably sustainable choices, as the raw materials require no agriculture and no further manufacturing to produce.
Of utmost importance at White Stole is the fact that “Natural” fiber clothing refers to clothing made from fiber found in nature, such as the vegetable fibers of Cotton, Hemp, Linen and Flax; the protein fibers such as Wool, Alpaca and Cashmere; and the elastic fibrous secretions of silkworm larvae in cocoons used to create Silk.
Each of the amazing natural fabrics in the White Stole Collection, irrespective of their distinct production and processing methods, nevertheless take them worlds-away from the man-made, artificially-created synthetic fibers which are chemically and structurally altered to the extent that they are toxic to both the person wearing them as well as to the planet.
For instance, despite the fact that all Cotton has a large carbon footprint for its cultivation and highly chemically treated production, Organic Cotton is considered a more sustainable choice for fabric because it is completely free of destructive toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. And while many designers have begun experimenting with Bamboo fiber which absorbs greenhouse gases during its life cycle and grows quickly and plentifully without pesticides, Bamboo fabric can cause environmental harm in production due to the chemicals used to create a soft viscose from hard bamboo. Some believe Hemp is one of the best choices for eco fabrics due to its ease of growth, though it remains illegal to grow in some countries.
Most relevant and adored in the eyes of followers of White Stole, Silk, the “Queen of Fiber” and cherished by couture lovers the planet over, is the fact that there are multiple ways to grow and harvest secretions from the natural larvae – from wild to ancient methods that date back to the Ancient Chinese and the Roman Empire to more eco-friendly methods today.
Whether choosing one continuous silk thread that has been dried, brushed and reeled around a spool to form one silk “raw” thread with its exceptional ability to absorb dye - or silk salvaged and harvested from a cocoon in smaller strands then spun or woven in ways similar to cotton or hemp to allow more silkworms to survive - Real Silk holds the remarkably different feel and visible glossy luster, natural amber glow, texture, durability, natural stain-resistance, and high-quality look to the knowing designer and consumer of fine fabric.
As with all natural fibers, Silk fashion is a blending of compromises. Whether the silk is hand-loomed in rural India by ancient artisan weavers or pure-dyed with mild-acid, environmentally low-impact fiber reactive dyes in a modern Italian cottage-industry factory using an age-old creation process as in the goods presented in the White Stole Collection, the raising of silkworms is, by its very nature, sustainable. And Silk is biodegradable!
Silk fabric when produced by weavers on handlooms has a near zero energy footprint, while silk produced by powerloomed textile factories are evaluated on a company-basis to determine sustainability. The environmentally- focused createurs are the suppliers White Stole has built their business upon.
White Stole exists to offer Luxury Couture created with the highest-quality and integrity, as well as sustainable and ethical standards in the handmade tradition that has built the reputation of respect and admiration the Italian Silk Industry holds to this day.
In essence, it’s a double bottom line — buying from White Stole you are doing your small part to create a cleaner environment by choosing “Pure” Silk fabric that is already produced, dyed and finished in an organic, low-impact environment while being the chicest of Planet-Lovers!
Join White Stole in making great strides toward a more sustainable fashion industry with “Pure” Silk and Vintage Wraps!
View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Shawls, Foulard Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Cape Boleros for purchase, or rental, on our website.