- The John Lewis Partnership is one of the first UK retailers to secure Sustainable Fibre Alliance certified cashmere across their own brand womenswear collection*
- The certification means that our cashmere adheres to best practices for responsible production
- QR codes can be found on the majority of our cashmere care labels, highlighting care & welfare standards
The John Lewis Partnership has become one of the first retailers to secure Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) certified cashmere across their own brand womenswear cashmere collection, announced today (Tuesday 7th November).
The Sustainable Fibre Alliance works with the entire supply chain (from herders to retailers) to promote responsibly produced cashmere - prioritising high animal welfare standards, safeguarding livelihoods and minimising the environmental impact of cashmere.
The SFA certification helps customers have confidence that John Lewis cashmere adheres to best practices for responsible production, including the requirements to:
- Ensure the welfare of goats
- Safeguard biodiversity and use land responsibly
- Promote decent work
- Preserve and enhance fibre quality
- Operate an effective management system.
Kathleen Mitchell, Commercial Director at John Lewis, said, “We’re proud to be leading the way among other retailers with our womenswear cashmere range, securing SFA-certified cashmere is a brilliant step that provides financial security for our herders as well as ensuring the welfare of the animals throughout the supply chain.
“We’ve re-freshed our entire womenswear range for AW23 to include a variety of styles from cashmere sweaters to beanies and berets, allowing our customers to mix cashmere in with their everyday wardrobe and with the knowledge that it has come from a more sustainable journey.”
Una Jones, CEO & Founder of Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), said, “It is through the incredible commitment and dedication of our members that we at the SFA can make positive impacts within the cashmere and natural fibre supply chains. John Lewis is leading by example by becoming one of the first retailers to have 100% SFA-certified cashmere in their womenswear range, a significant milestone to achieve and we are proud to work with the John Lewis team on this challenging journey.
“We look forward to seeing this achievement grow across their cashmere ranges over the next few years as part of their commendable commitment to have 100% more sustainably sourced key raw materials by 2025. Through this, John Lewis is showing what is possible by helping to create a more sustainable cashmere market that supports herder livelihoods, ensures high animal welfare, and protects the environment and rangelands.”
As part of the John Lewis Partnership’s commitment to help customers extend the life of a product through proper care so that they can last longer - better both for customers and the environment - digital product passports** have been introduced in John Lewis stores, in the form of QR codes across the cashmere range.
Customers can scan the QR code inside the label of the product to be informed of the material details and the cashmere journey to the shop floor. The code will also tell customers how to care for their products in the right way, which can help increase the lifespan of the product and help to reduce wardrobe footprint.
Today’s news builds on the John Lewis Partnership’s established set of circular design principles (in collaboration with University of Exeter), with durability being a key focus for products.
Earlier in the year, the John Lewis Partnership set out nature-focused sourcing commitments in the Plan for Nature - confirming that 100% of the cotton, timber, cashmere, and feather & down used in own-brand products will be from more sustainable or recycled sources by 2025.
Notes to editors
*Across our own brand pure cashmere womenswear range only
** Digital Product Passports - In 2021 the John Lewis Partnership signed up to the Sustainable Markets Initiative Terra Carta pledge. In the same year the SMI set up the Fashion Taskforce with the aim to begin rolling out digital IDs on a large scale across the industry. In March 2022 the European Commission introduced EcoDesign and Digital Product Passport requirements under its Sustainable Products Initiative which means we will see the use of digital product passports becoming industry standard in the next few years.
- To find out more about our cashmere story please click here.
How to care for your cashmere:
- A cashmere piece should be something to be treasured. Created using only the best-quality fibre from carefully raised herds, please see below for tips on how to look after cashmere:
- Always check the label to see if your cashmere is machine washable or handwash only. We recommend that you don’t wash your cashmere after every use, as it can damage the delicate fibres.
- Fold your knitwear flat to avoid it being stretched or misshapen. Avoid hanging knitwear as this can distort its shape over time.
- Moths love cashmere so keep them away using cedarwood balls.
- When drying cashmere, carefully squeeze out excess water by scrunching it and always reshape your cashmere while damp and dry it flat.
- Never tumble dry your cashmere as the heat can cause it to felt and damage the fibres.
