Raquel joined the team in 2017 when we started producing for retail stores. This year we decided it was time for a third element and invited Marta on our adventure!” (Cristiana, Raquel & Marta)
The minimalist and democratic design is only the surface of a serious commitment to sustainability and transparency of the manufacturing processes that are found in the heart of every product within our label Näz.” (Cristiana, Raquel & Marta)
Recycled Synthetic Materials — All our recycled lines are made with pre-consumer waste. It's waterless as well, and made in a mechanical way for energy efficiency.
Deadstock — Our entire surplus line is made from deadstock, which is sourced solely in Portugal.
Designing for circularity — our items with 100% mono-fibre (100% cotton, 100% linen), make it possible to ensure the recycling of our products. All our buttons are sourced from natural resources as well (natural wood, cotton waste).” (Cristiana, Raquel & Marta)
Our process starts like this: First, we study the trends for the upcoming collection we'll be designing, always aligning trends with a minimalist design, so the pieces can be used for many seasons. Afterwards, we meet our partners to see the kind of garments they produced in the past but haven’t sold (for our line that takes advantage of surplus fabric).
When we are unable to source a fabric we want, we meet our partners again and check what they are producing at that moment, in order to never end up developing a garment from the beginning in both the ecological and surplus lines. It's the perfect win-win. We get beautiful fabric without polluting the planet and consequently reduce our load on landfills. When choosing deadstock fabrics we only choose fabrics made in Portugal, from natural fibres and of great quality.
Our recycled line is developed with small textile factories near Covilhã, that have deep knowledge of the art of creating fabric. We began by developing fabrics and knits of recycled yarn, making this line of products not only extremely environmentally responsible, but also fully traceable and local. The colours are sorted, the recycling process is fully mechanical and the materials undergo a waterless production with zero toxic waste (no chemicals or dyes are used). The entire supply chain, from yarn to sewing, occurs locally within a radius area of 100 km.
All our clothing is designed to last for generations to come. We apply this by designing in a minimalist, but modern way.” (Cristiana, Raquel & Marta)
COTTON
Cotton is washable, dries slowly, can be tumble dried and ironed. Not wrinkle resistant. Cotton items can be washed at 40ºC for coloured items. Can be ironed at a high temperature. Note that the items should be damp. For knits, it's always better to dry flat.
LYOCELL
Lyocell garments are generally very easy to take care of. Wash up to 40ºC, do not bleach, can be tumble dried on low heat. Line dry for a crease free fabric, dry in the shade for colour protection. When ironing, be sure to iron at medium temperature on the wrong side of the fabric so it doesn't get too shiny.
CUPRO
Cupro can be machine washed, and where coloured colours can be washed on a normal, warm (not hot!) temperature, it's better to stick to the cold water when washing dark-colored pieces. Avoid tumble dry and line dry for crease free. Be sure to iron on medium temperature on the wrong side of the fabric.
WOOL
Wool garments don't need to be washed between each wear, simply hang it outside or in a damp bathroom to remove any odours — wool cleans itself to some extent. Wet wool garments should be dried flat to avoid stretching. Wash it with care, hand-wash or machine wash in cold water or in a special wool program. Should not be tumble dried, nor in direct sunlight or direct heat.
POLYESTER
The bad news is, when you wash anything made from synthetics — even recycled stuff or mixed fibres — tiny bits of microfibres are shed, which leads to plastic pollution of our oceans. The good news is, we only use polyester in pieces that require little to no washing, and always mixed with wool fibres. To solve the problem, we recommend you use a GuppyFriend bag to capture the microfibres.
Don’t want to use a piece of clothing any more?
Let someone use them a little longer, with that you are reducing its impact on the environment.
You can trade with your friends, but there are also several organisations that actually have a positive impact instead of shipping the pieces to developing countries to sell them there (while destroying the local clothing industry). Or you can still reuse the fabric to make cleaning cloths, for example, or even doll dresses — the ideas are infinite and they’re always better than to throw the fabric away!” (Cristiana, Raquel & Marta)