Socks are entwined into our everyday lives and as a result the global socks market is mind bogglingly huge. There are over 20 billion socks produced every year. But are these the right kind of socks and do we really need so many going into production, and conversely into landfill, each year?
When we started our Pairs journey back in early 2020 we knew that we couldn’t shift the entire fashion industry’s attitude to waste and dubious material usage. What we could do is create our own brand that used natural materials from sustainable farms in their native countries, promoting the buy better, buy less ethos, while supporting indigenous communities and British manufacturing.
Our sustainability journey is still evolving, but we hope the following article answers questions about our vision and decisions thus far in our quest to create a sustainable company.
What does sustainability mean to Pairs?
There are three main factors that dictate if a product or a company is sustainable - economic, social and environmental.
Economic: For us the economics have to work for all parties involved in the supply chain. It has to be profitable, or a link will collapse, leaving others within it without a customer. We also want to make sure everyone within the chain (from the UK to the Peruvian mountains) has a fair deal and is profit making.
Social: Through our business we strive to provide fair jobs for those involved in our supply chain. We are a long way from a fast fashion brand, and it's important to us that working conditions are positive and everyone is paid fairly.
Environmental: The environmental impact must not risk over-stepping the delicate balance of natural resources and producing a product for market. The global textile market has a long way to go in the fashion industry. At Pairs we endeavour to positively impact the soil, climate, biodiversity and water system at every step.
Where do Pairs source their fibres from and are they sustainable?
MOHAIR
Our mohair socks are our hero product and the reason for launching Pairs. Mohair is an incredible fibre and speaks to our vision to tread carefully on the environment, move away from disposable fast fashion and have a positive economic and social impact for the farmers and our British craftspeople at the mill.
Mohair South Africa (MSA) is a non-profit organisation that acts as the mohair industry’s regulating body to ensure responsible and ethical production of the fibre. South Africa provides a prime environment for the angora goats, who thrive in the Karoo region, which has a very hot and dry climate in the summer but very cold in the winter. This means the fibre is uniquely adapted to being robust and temperature controlling.
It is important to us that the fibres we use are traceable. MSA is a member of the Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that works closely with its members to drive industry transformation towards better integrity, standards and responsible supply networks (https://textileexchange.org/about-us/).
MSA has implemented a comprehensive traceability system, which means that our yarn supplier can track the exact origin of the mohair used in every item. MSA also have a programme of continued assessment of angora goat farms. Obtaining a satisfactory rating is necessary before marketing mohair, and producers' ratings are readily available, enabling every purchaser to ensure it has been ethically produced.
ALPACA
90% of the world’s alpaca population lives in Peru, where the animals are deeply woven into the lives of the 120,000 Peruvian families who depend on them. The traditional Andean cosmovision - a spiritual and cultural worldview - is central to their care, making the wellbeing of alpacas inseparable from the survival, culture, and identity of the people who raise them. For more than 5,000 years, countless generations of people have devoted their lives to raising alpaca and using their fibres. A fabulous example of sustainability!
Our fibres come from Incatops, who are members of the Textile Exchange, but have also created their own body for traceability, Pacomarca. Dealing is direct, without the participation of any intermediary. This enables a relationship of trust to be forged between the alpaca producer and Pacomarca through the provision of technical support which improves production and generates an enhanced income for the farmer.
LAMBSWOOL
Our lambswool bedsocks were developed in conjunction with our Turkish Mill. The wool is also sourced in Turkey, reducing the carbon footprint in the supply chain. All the fibre used is graded by OEKO-TEX, enabling consumers and companies to make informed decisions. The testing and certification process guarantees maximum consumer safety.
How does a circular economy play into Pairs’ vision?
We know that we can’t shift the fast fashion system alone but we can be part of the change. We want to muster an ethos of transparency, and traceability, while inspiring change in consumer attitudes to waste and disposable fashion.
The key elements of a circular fashion economy are:
- Keep clothes for longer
- Use sustainable fibres
- Produce fibres that can be used again
We believe we should all be buying less, but buying better. This allows us all to purchase and wear garments, such as Pairs socks, that we know are durable. When the day comes, far into the future, that your socks look a bit worn, they can easily be repaired at home.
And what about cost per wear? How many times are you going to wear our socks? Lots, we would imagine, as not only are they robust and hard wearing but you can wear the same pair multiple times (due to their anti-bacterial properties) without needing to wash them. Another bonus for less water usage.
Talking of water, while our mohair socks can be washed at 40 degrees why not turn the temperature down to 30 degrees - you’ll not only be reducing your energy usage, but your socks will thank you for it too.
Is it cruel to shear animals for their wool?
No. It is absolutely not cruel to shear animals. It is a necessity for their health and well-being. We abhor animal cruelty and take great efforts to source our fibres from reputable merchants with traceability schemes.
In Peru, where our alpaca comes from, shearing practises have a strict protocol through Inca Shearing - the animal is treated with care, hygiene and the minimum of stress. Shearing the extremely fine alpaca fibre is a must every two years, and the process provides thousands of jobs.
In South Africa the mohair industry has developed a traceability system allowing every bit of fibre to be traced back to the farm. They have also created assessments and farm visits to ensure that they are upheld, along with using certified shearers who practise National Wool Growers Association (NWGA) shearing. With this practise goats, as well as sheep, are handled carefully, not exposed to undue weather conditions and are returned to food and water as soon as they are sheared. Any grazes are immediately cleaned, disinfected and given fly repellent oil to prevent infection.
When it comes to environmental action, one of the most positive thing consumers can do is choose garments made from sustainable fibres. According to The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) around £140million worth of clothing goes to landfill every year.
So do the planet a favour, and choose your fashion wisely.
