Bruin for Orson + Bodil: Reviving Local Wool with Sustainable Fashion
Fashion visionaries Alexander van Slobbe and Guus Beumer have launched Bruin for Orson + Bodil, a project aimed at reinventing the use of local wool in modern fashion. Known for their earlier brand Orson + Bodil, which focused on overcoming the limitations of industrial design through craftsmanship, the duo now turns their attention to the undervalued resource of Dutch wool.
The Waste of Local Wool
In recent years, local sheep wool has become a wasted resource, often discarded or even burned due to a lack of demand. Consumers prefer softer, longer fibers, and the fashion industry shuns brown wool since it cannot be dyed. However, van Slobbe and Beumer saw the potential in this natural material and decided to explore its story further.
Crafting with a Purpose
To create something unique from this overlooked material, they partnered with the Ministry of Knits. Together, they developed a special yarn, blending local Dutch wool with alpaca fiber to soften its texture while maintaining the wool’s natural sturdiness. This blend results in a versatile, durable yarn that celebrates the natural brown hues of sheep, creating a product that is both functional and beautiful.
Sustainable Fashion with a Message
Bruin for Orson + Bodil is more than a project; it's a statement about sustainability and the importance of local resources. Their innovative approach highlights the beauty of natural wool and challenges the industry’s preferences for artificial and heavily processed materials. The result are hand made gender-neutral items made from 75% wool and 25% alpaca, with all fibers sourced from The Netherlands.
Celebrate the revival of local wool with Bruin for Orson + Bodil—where sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovative design come together.