"We have an unwavering commitment and dedication to our ecological and social responsibilities as a company. We are committed to constantly reviewing our supply chain - from the initiation of product through to the disposal of our packaging material - in a way that enhances the environment for our suppliers and our customers wherever possible."
Simon Jeffreys
Chief Executive
Designers Guild Group Limited
In conclusion: Trading ethically throughout our business is an ongoing commitment and aspiration. We review and monitor our own procedures and those of our supply chains to guarantee that our business follows the ethical policy that we as a company subscribe to.
Many of our products are made from natural fibres or are recyclable.
In spring 2019, we launched an innovative recycled fabric collection, Lisbon which was one of the first in the industry. Using no water in its manufacture – it is entirely made from yarns recycled from the fashion industry.
In spring 2022, Watkin weaves has the same strong eco credentials, with yarns made from a biproduct of waste textiles.
In spring 2023, we launched Cavazzo and Garonne both of which are made from recycled fabrics.
For autumn 2023, two further recycled fabric collections were launched:
Torrington - A charming soft boucle tweed weave in 24 versatile shades created with a majority recycled yarn. Easy-clean with an exclusive finish by Aquaclean using innovative stain release technology and chemical free formula.
Montague - A wonderfully chunky tweed inspired weave, created with a recycled yarn of unique anionic and cationic polyester blended fibres which react differently when dyeing creating a multi toned effect. Easyclean finish with a fantastic martindale of 85,000 rubs, Montague is also Oeko-Tex certified for added confidence.
For Autumn 22, we launched several collections with serious eco credentials: Haldon weaves - Abernethy, Delamere and Haldon are created with 75% recycled wool which comes from pre and post-consumer textile waste. Once sorted the fabrics are washed with a gentle detergent and then shredded back into fibres which are then blended back into yarns to make up the colour palette. The blending of these yarns is skilfully guided by the supplier to maintain colour consistency from batch to batch. No further dyeing takes place to the process uses far less energy and water than standard yarn production. The finished cloth is gently brushed to create a soft handle without compromising the incredibly hard-wearing construction meeting over 100,000 rubs making these suitable for demanding interior schemes.
Loden - A felted wool-like cloth created with 100% PET which is created using recycled plastic bottles - Global Recycling Standard approved. Up to 40 plastic bottles from post-consumer waste are recycled to create 1m of fabric
The bottles are shredded into pellets which are then melted down to extrude the new PET yarn. The yarn is Global Recycling Standard approved colours are created using disperse dyes which use less water than dyeing other fibres such as cotton. Our easy clean finish is water based therefore no harmful chemicals used.
We have also introduced ethically produced cotton to our collections and Cassia Cord has an entirely ethically produced cotton pile and our coordinating Cassia velvet will become ethically produced cotton as stocks are replenished.
A large proportion of our fabrics are Oeko-Tex approved, the world's best-known approval body to guarantee our products are free of harmful substances. It stands for customer confidence and high product safety.
Our collection is completely water-based, vegan and low-VOCs (Volatile organic compounds, that contribute to atmospheric pollution), making them virtually solvent free. Brushes and painting equipment can be easily cleaned without harmful chemicals. Designed to last – our paint offers excellent coverage, adhesion and flow, meaning fewer coats are needed when compared with other premium paints.
All our paints are manufactured in the UK. Our paint tins are made using 50% recycled steel and our packaging is made using recycled materials, that can be used again.
Loweswater Bed Linen Created with pure GOTS certified organic cotton in a crisp 300 thread count this stunning range of bed linen is overdyed in sublime shades inspired by nature. Our organic plain dye cotton bedding is softly crushed by the dying and washing process creating a contemporary relaxed feel for your bedroom scheme. Oeko-Tex 100 certified for added confidence that no harmful substances were used in the creation of this range to protect you and your environment. In plastic free reusable fabric bags this organic cotton range is available as duvet cover sets, with pillowcases sold separately in pairs.
Loweswater Towels & Bath Mats We are thrilled to launch our first organic cotton towel - woven from superior 700gsm Egyptian cotton, grown without the use of synthetic additives or pesticides and is not genetically modified. Our new Loweswater towel range from Designers Guild is available in a stunning range of soft earth tone inspired shades. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 approved for added confidence.
Our largest contribution has been supporting Oxfam in the building of a school in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
All scrap fabric is donated to various children's charities, for example Children's Scrap Project. All remnants and end of line fabrics are upcycled.
We have worked with the charity Maggie’s, for several years – A charity that provides free practical & emotional support for people living with cancer and their families, through support centres built in the grounds of specialist NHS cancer hospitals. In 2018 Tricia Guild directed the interior design of a new centre for Maggie’s.
We are constantly reviewing our recycling and waste collection policies too and are also working with World Land Trust by donating to their Buy an Acre programme on a monthly basis. Each acre purchased protects threatened habitats and their wildlife in Colombia, Mexico and Zambia. View our support with World Land Trust.
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"We have an aspiration and a commitment to trade ethically throughout our business. We are committed to reviewing our supply chain, from the initiation of product through to the disposal of our packaging material, in a way that enhances the environment for our suppliers, and our customers wherever possible. Our people are tasked with dealing ethically with everyone they meet in an honest, open and collaborative fashion. We only deal with suppliers who have a similar ethical ethos."
Simon Jeffreys
Chief Executive
Designers Guild Group Limited
We operate a number of internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include:
We pride ourselves on the honest, open and collaborative relationships we have with our suppliers. We source products from around the world but only deal with suppliers who have a similar ethical ethos to ourselves, often favouring larger mills that can support proper working conditions.
All new suppliers are subject to an assessment by ourselves before we commit to any transactions, including an online search to ensure that the particular company has never been convicted of offenses relating to modern slavery. Our Ethical policy forms part of our contract with suppliers and they are required to confirm that no part of their business operations contradicts this policy.
We often further follow up with site visits to strengthen our understanding and to allow us to accurately risk assess.
We are constantly reviewing our procedures to ensure that we continue to monitor both our own organisation and our supply chains to guarantee that our business follows the ethical policy that we as a company subscribe to.