FARM TO FASHION
When Emily Riggs launched Iris & Wool in 2019, she was intent on creating a brand with authenticity and purpose. This founding ethos is woven through every facet of the brand, and even as Iris & Wool has grown and evolved, Emily’s commitment to building a brand that makes a positive impact and treads lightly on the earth has remained unwavering.
Why Wool is best
Based with her family on an Australian Merino Sheep farm in South Australia, Emily is passionate about promoting Australian Merino Wool and nurturing and supporting the local industry and community of Australian wool producers.
A natural, biodegradable and recyclable fabric, pure Australian Merino Wool forms the basis of Iris & Wool’s collections. Warm and soft on the skin and resistant to stains and odours, this breathable fibre regulates body temperature, making it comfortable to wear in any weather. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water and still maintain its ability to insulate, keeping you warm, dry and cosy. Garments made from pure wool will also keep their shape for years, no matter how many times you wear or wash your knits, making every design a timeless investment.
While synthetic fibres are derived from fossil fuels and shed micro plastics, Australian Merino wool is made simply from sunshine, grass and water. Iris & Wool’s designs are able to be traced directly back to local Australian farms and garments are only knitted from RWS certified wool. This is a responsible wool standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on, ensuring fair treatment of animals as well as respect for the environment. As a renewable, biodegradable fabric, wool also breaks down naturally, releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth as it decomposes.
In recognition of Iris & Wool’s commitment to Australian Merino Wool, the company recently achieved the coveted, internationally recognised Woolmark certification mark. This prestigious accreditation is a hallmark of quality and is emblematic of the luxurious standard of Iris & Wool’s designs and Emily’s dedication to sustainability.
giving back
A proud ambassador of the Childhood Cancer Association (CCA), Emily donates $1 from every Iris & Wool sale to the CCA. Iris & Wool beanies are also donated to the organisation for their Hospital Support Packs, which are given to families at the time of diagnosis. Having raised almost $22,500 to date, Emily is now working on a new ‘Softly Brave’ campaign to raise further funds and awareness for children with cancer
Philanthropy is at the heart of Iris & Wool. Having experienced the profound impact of a cancer diagnosis as a child and sadly losing her mother less than a year later to this same devastating disease, Emily was determined to build a label that gave back and helped others in similar situations.
Iris & Wool has also partnered with Save The Children, raising over $11,000 to help children urgently in need, both in Australia and overseas.
Extending the life cycle of Iris & Wool’s designs, past season stock is donated to Thread Together, a non-profit organisation that provides quality clothing to those in need.
Living in rural Australia, Emily is dedicated to supporting the local community. Iris & Wool regularly contributes to sporting clubs, charities & community events in the town of Burra and the wider farming community of South Australia.
Made with care
Caring for the people behind Iris & Wool is vital to the founding principles of the brand. Emily is committed to ensuring a safe, fair and positive working environment for everyone involved in Iris & Wool’s supply chain Working closely with the same family-run factory in China since launch, Iris & Wool is proud to have been a part of their supplier’s story as they have grown through the years too. Employing only 40 workers, the factory is BSCI certified, meaning the business is governed by workplace standards such as compliance with laws and workplace regulations, prohibition of harassment or abuse, prohibition of forced or child labour, fair working hours and the protection of the environment, among numerous other standards.
Crafting garments from pure Australian Merino Wool that has been milled in Woolmark certified mills ensures that workers in Iris & Wool’s supply chain do not come into contact with harmful substances in the process of creating clothing. While producing collections in limited quantities means that the risk of surplus stock and the corresponding environmental impact is reduced. Iris & Wool also connects customers to the circular economy via AirRobe, which easily enables purchases to be rented or resold at a later date.
Iris & Wool has carefully considered packaging in order to minimise our environmental impact. Online orders are packaged in Heropack Mailers which are home-compostable. Tissue paper and shipping labels are from noissue and are recyclable, compostable and acid, sulphur and lignin-free. Printed with soy-based inks on FSC-certified paper and made from 100% recycled materials, they are also carbon offset via the noissue Eco-Alliance initiative.
“Iris & Wool is truly a brand created with a commitment to quality, sustainability and philanthropy. If you have any questions about Iris & Wool - from our supply chain to our processes we will gladly answer any queries you have. I hope you enjoy wearing the Iris & Wool label as much as I have loved creating and designing it for you.”
- Emily Riggs, Founder