Sustainability

Beverley Edmondson Millinery: A Commitment to Sustainable Style and Craftmanship

At Beverley Edmondson Millinery, we believe that style and craftsmanship goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility. Sustainability is at the heart of our craft, ensuring that every piece we create is both stylish and considerate of our planet.

1. Championing Slow Fashion

Millinery, by its very nature, embodies slow fashion. Each hat is meticulously handcrafted using traditional techniques, prioritising quality and longevity over mass production. Our pieces are designed to be cherished and worn for years, offering a sustainable alternative to fast fashion.

2. Thoughtful and Sustainable Material Choices

Sustainability starts with the materials we use. We carefully select materials that are biodegradable, ethically sourced, and have a lower environmental impact.

Natural and Biodegradable Fibres

We favour natural fibres, which are renewable and break down more sustainably than synthetic alternatives:

• Sinamay – Derived from the Abacá plant (a type of banana native to the Philippines), sinamay is a highly sustainable material. The plant grows quickly without the need for pesticides, and the fibre is fully biodegradable. It is a staple in millinery due to its lightweight yet durable structure.
• Silk Abaca – A luxurious blend of fine silk and Abacá fibre, this material offers a beautiful sheen while remaining biodegradable and renewable. Its production supports traditional farming communities in Southeast Asia.
• Fur Felt – Sourced from natural animal fibres, fur felt is one of the most durable materials in millinery. Unlike synthetic alternatives, fur felt is biodegradable and offers exceptional longevity, meaning hats made from it can last for generations with proper care. We source from ethical suppliers to ensure responsible treatment of animals. 
• • Wool Felt – Created from matted sheep’s wool, wool felt is renewable, biodegradable, and incredibly durable. It is naturally insulating and water-resistant, making it both practical and stylish.

Sustainable Dyes and Treatments

We select dyes that provide rich, lasting colour while reducing harm to the environment.

• Easifix Dyes – A low-impact synthetic dye that absorbs at a rate of 90–100%, meaning almost no excess dye is washed away into wastewater. These dyes do not contain heavy metals or harmful chemicals and do not require toxic substances to fix the colour, making them an eco-friendlier choice.
• Procion MX Dyes – A fibre-reactive dye that forms a strong bond with natural fabrics, ensuring bright, long-lasting colours. With a high absorption rate of around 70%, less dye is wasted, and any leftover dye breaks down naturally in wastewater treatment. Procion MX dyes are also low in heavy metals, making them safer than some traditional dyeing methods.
• Dye-Na-Flow Dyes – A water-based textile paint that works like a dye, allowing for smooth, even colour without harsh chemicals or large volumes of water. It can be used on various fabrics, meaning fewer dyeing processes are needed, which helps conserve resources.
• Oasis Floral Sprays – These specialised sprays allow us to colour delicate materials without damaging them. Originally designed for floristry, they provide an even finish while being gentle on natural fibres. We use them in moderation and in well-ventilated spaces to limit their environmental impact.
• Ethical Feather Sourcing
• Natural feathers add a lightness and effect to millinery, that cannot be achieved by synthetic alternatives, and we ensure they come from ethical sources.
• Our feathers are collected as natural byproducts of the food industry, meaning no animals are harmed just for fashion.
• While feather sourcing is a complex issue, we only use suppliers who align with our ethical standards.

Upcycled and Vintage Materials

Reusing materials helps us reduce waste and bring uniqueness to our designs.

• Reclaimed Vintage Fabrics – We source vintage and second-hand textiles, giving them a second life while adding individuality to our creations. This helps reduce demand for new materials and supports sustainable fashion.
• Surplus Natural Fibres – We incorporate leftover materials from our own processes into other designs, these fibres allow us to create beautiful pieces while reducing waste.
• By thoughtfully selecting materials, dyes, and embellishments, we ensure that every piece we create is both stylish and sustainable.

3. Zero-Waste Initiatives

Our Something from Smithereens collection embodies our commitment to minimising waste. Offcuts and remnants are transformed into beautiful, one-of-a-kind designs, ensuring that every piece of material is used to its fullest potential.

4. Extending the Life of Your Hat

A truly sustainable wardrobe is one that values longevity over disposability. That’s why we offer hat alterations, repairs, and restyling services (learn more here). Whether it’s refreshing a beloved hat for a new occasion, adjusting the fit, or repairing damage, we help our clients extend the lifespan of their headwear.

Client Stories & Testimonials

Many of our clients have embraced our repair and restyling services as a way to make their hats last a lifetime:

🌿 "I had a beautiful hat from my mother that was slightly damaged over time. Beverley and her team not only restored it but also updated the style to suit my outfit for a wedding. It felt so special to wear something sentimental while giving it a fresh new look!" – Sarah J.

♻️ "Instead of buying a brand-new hat for Ascot, I took one of my older pieces to Beverley for a refresh. A simple colour change and some new trimmings made it feel completely new. Sustainable, stylish, and cost-effective!" – Emily W.

✨ "My favourite felt hat had seen better days, but I couldn’t bear to part with it. Beverley’s repair service was incredible – it looks as good as new, and I love knowing that I’ve reduced waste by keeping and restoring something I already own." – Helen M.

These stories highlight the beauty of sustainable fashion—not just in how we create our pieces, but in how we care for them over time.

5. Reducing Plastic Usage

We consciously limit the use of plastics in our creations and packaging, favouring natural, biodegradable materials wherever possible. This ensures that our hats not only stand the test of time but also break down sustainably at the end of their lifecycle.

 6. Eco-Friendly Packaging

All our packaging is designed with sustainability in mind. We use fully recyclable, biodegradable, and FSC-certified materials, ensuring that every box, bag, and piece of wrapping can be responsibly disposed of or reused. We are in the process of phasing out any finishes that contain plastic, keeping unnecessary waste out of landfills.

7. Green Web Hosting & Digital Responsibility
Our website and digital operations are powered by 100% renewable energy, ensuring that our online presence has as little impact on the planet as possible. Our hosting provider invests in carbon offsetting, plants trees for every customer, and actively reduces e-waste. By choosing sustainable web hosting, we ensure that even the behind-the-scenes elements of our business align with our eco-conscious values.

8. Expertise in Sustainable Fashion

Beverley has studied Fashion and Sustainability with London college of Fashion. This training has deepened her understanding of sustainable practices, and these principles guide decision making within the business.

This knowledge influences our processes in several keyways:

• Mindful Sourcing: We carefully select materials from ethical and sustainable suppliers, prioritising natural fibres and surplus stock to minimise waste.
• Circular Design Principles: We create designs with longevity in mind, ensuring they are timeless, repairable, and adaptable rather than disposable.
• End-of-Life Considerations: We encourage clients to repurpose their hats when they are no longer needed, extending their life cycle.
• Educating Clients: We actively inform our customers about the sustainable choices behind their purchases, promoting a more conscious approach to fashion.

 9. Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is an ongoing journey. We are always seeking out new, eco-friendly materials and techniques to integrate into our work, ensuring that we continue to reduce our environmental impact.

10. Educating and Inspiring

We are passionate about sharing our knowledge through millinery workshops and talks. By teaching others about the art of sustainable craftsmanship, we hope to inspire a wider appreciation for ethical fashion.

11. Supporting Local Craftsmanship

All our pieces are handmade in our Farnham studio. By producing locally, we reduce transportation emissions and support the British craft industry, further reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.

At Beverley Edmondson Millinery, we are dedicated to creating timeless, sustainable headwear. By choosing our designs, you are supporting ethical, slow fashion and making a positive impact on the world.

To learn more about our sustainable practices and collections, visit our blog.