Our Products
Gorman Green
The design team create and develop products with the expectation of longevity. Garments are not designed to fit a trend, they are designed with a signature unique to Gorman that combines the modern and the timeless. From design through to construction, pieces are made to last year’s rather than months.
In 2018 we introduced Gorman Green as an internal benchmark to support our design team in making more sustainable fibre and fabric choices. European Union research suggests that 80% of product related environmental impacts can be influenced during the design phase.
The products bearing the Gorman Green tag are made with fabrics that contain over 50% of a more environmentally and ethically conscious fibre. This tagging system allows us to measure our progress towards our goal of using 100% more sustainable fabrics by 2030. By having these tags in-store, we aim to encourage customers to make more conscious purchases.
In our most recent Spring Summer 2023 collection over 75% of gorman's womenswear apparel fabrics were certified to globally recognised textile standards. This provides assurance for our customers that social and environmental criteria have been met, from growing and processing of raw materials, through to manufacturing of our garments.
By 2030, we hope to phase out the Gorman Green tagging system as all products will reflect this higher standard of fabric choices.
For more information about our fabric certification, please see our Environment Page
Our Guidelines for More Sustainable Fibres and Fabrics
We have referenced a few different sources to decide whether or not a fibre is more sustainable and can be included in our gorman green range. Primarily we use the HIGGS Material Sustainability Index (MSI) (ADD LINK), which gives a broad comparative understanding of the impacts of fabric production, including raw materials and processing. We also take in to consideration how a fibre/fabric will perform, how it will wear and wash, if it’s possible to be recycled (as natural/synthetic blends are often hard to recycle), and if it can’t be recycled, we evaluate how it will degrade or biodegrade back in to the earth.
We have three main categories of more sustainable fibres we prioritise in the gorman green range:
Recycled Materials
The most sustainable and resource-light fibres are recycled from pre- or post-consumer waste. Examples of these fibres that we use are recycled cotton, recycled wool, and recycled polyester. These fibres don’t use any virgin materials, and are instead made from materials that would otherwise become waste. To increase the tensile strength of recycled natural fibres we often use them in blended fabrics. In contrast, we try to use recycled synthetic fibres unblended with other fibres to increase their chance of being recycled when no longer wearable. The main certification we look for is the Global Recycle Standard, issued and approved by a third party. These fabrics include:
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Recycled cotton
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Recycled wool
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Recycled polyester (ideally mechanically recycled)
Responsibly Produced Natural Fibres
We prioritise the use of natural fibres that have been sustainably produced (with organic and sustainable farming practises). The fabrics made from these fibres wear and wash well, and have the ability to be recycled in to fibres again or can biodegrade with lower impact if they are no longer wearable. Innovative farming techniques are used to preserve the health of the land, workers and animals and to reduce the amount of resources required. These fabrics include:
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Organic cotton
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Naturally retted linen
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Naturally retted hemp
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RWS wool
Responsibly Produced Bio-synthetic Fibres
We use a number of bio-synthetic fibres that have been produced under stringent conditions to ensure the raw resource is responsibly sourced and there are as few chemicals used for processing as possible. These fibres can behave just as natural fibres next to the skin, are easy to care for and will biodegrade. We have utilised a tool developed by forest conservation organisation Canopy called the Hot Button Report to have greater transparency and traceability around our viscose fibres. This report ranks viscose fibre producers on: completion of third party verification audits, contribution to conservation legacies, innovation via new alternative fibres, adoption of robust forest sourcing policy, leaders in supply chain shifts & sustainable sourcing, traceability & transparency. These fibres include Lenzing viscose products:
TENCEL™ Lyocell
Most green as the process is a 100% closed loop system whereby the water and 99.8% of the solvent is recycled and reused.
TENCEL™Modal
Processing by-products are captured and used in other industries
ECOVERO™
Uses 50% less water and 50% less chemicals in processing than generic viscose
Fibres and Fabrics
Recycled cotton
Where does it come from and how is it made?
From the yarn and clothing production process cotton fluff and trimmings are collected, shredded and re-spun to create new yarns.
Why do we use it?
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Uses drastically less resources such as water and energy to produce
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Reduces waste during yarn and clothing production
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Is as soft and comfy next to the skin as regular cotton
Recycled cotton is often blended with conventional cotton and nylon to improve strength and reduce pilling. The recycled cotton fabrics we use have satisfied our wear tests, recycled cotton does have a heightened risk of pilling. If any pilling occurs please remove gently by hand.
Organic cotton
Where does it come from and how is it made?
Obtained from cotton that is grown from non-GMO seeds without the use of any harmful or synthetic chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. This method of growing cotton supports biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, improves the quality of soil and uses less water than the cultivation of conventional cotton.
Why do we use it?
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Uses up to 91% less water
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Can reduce carbon emissions by up to 46% with reduced agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers', pesticides, tractor operations and irrigation
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Prevents pesticide poisoning and fatalities in people involved in cotton production and living in the surrounding areas of production
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So easy to wear all year round, just like regular cotton in every wearable way
RWS - Responsible Wool Standard - Wool
Where does it come from and how is it made?
Progressive methods of land management are practiced on RWS farms, protecting soil health, biodiversity and native species. The Five Freedoms of sheep are protected at all times: freedom from hunger or thirst, from discomfort, from pain, injury or disease, to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress
Why do we use it?
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We love to know our sheep are happy and their land is healthy
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Beautiful merino wool! Soft on the skin, naturally anti-bacterial and body temperature moderating. Cool in summer, warm in winter
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With the right tender love and care, our wool pieces will love you back for a long, long time
Lenzing viscose and lyocell
Where does it come from and how is it made?
Natural cellulose fibres are regenerated from wood pulp from beech, eucalyptus and pine trees.
Lenzing purchases wood and pulp derived from responsibly managed forests and is certified to come from sustainable sources.
Why do we use it?
- Each of their fibres utilises an innovative process that make them a leading viscose and lyocell supplier, using way less chemicals and water to produce
- No risk of using trees from ancient or endangered forests. Supply chain is completely transparent
- We love viscose and lyocell fibres for their cotton silk hybrid qualities. They’re gentle on the skin, have great breathability and moisture management, good strength and a luxe lustre.
Garment care
We select high quality fabrics and yarns with garment longevity in mind.
By following some simple care guidelines we can ensure your piece of Gorman can be loved and worn for years to come.
Our basic one size fits all care advice as stated on our garment labels is to cold wash. This not only benefits the garments longevity but is more economical and environmentally friendly.
In early 2024 we aim to launch a range of Gorman laundry bags to help customers prevent microplastics from entering waterways as they wash clothing with synthetic fibre content.
Repairs and Donations
In 2022 we opened an Alterations store, located upstairs at our Fitzroy shop.
Our Alterations store offers clothing repairs, zip repairs, suit/dress alterations, curtain/manchester resizing and many more services.
All brands are accepted, come and give new life to your favourite garments.
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