Materials
SUKU is rooted in authenticity, sustainability and connecting our global community under ethical practices and shared experiences. Every design and decision is made with this philosophy in mind. We strive to work transparently and consciously in providing a product you can feel good about. Our textiles and materials are carefully chosen for your comfort and also for their impact on the environment and our global community. In selecting the materials, we place a lot of importance on the production process. Materials undergo small scale productions by local artisans who operate sustainably and under fair trade practices. We choose to support local economies and cottage industries in Indonesia, a place close to our heart. SUKU products reflect the natural beauty and abundance of Indonesia and its unique textile tradition.
Bamboo and Jersey
Organically grown bamboo is considered one of the world's most sustainable resources as it is fast growing, doesn't require replanting or fertilizing, and thrives in poor soil with little water consumption. Bamboo also helps mitigate water pollution by reintroducing nitrogen and stabilising the soil. Cellulose from regenerated bamboo and acacia tree fibre is spun into a yarn using a closed loop system.
Every bamboo SUKU piece is made from luxuriously soft bamboo, which gets softer the more you wash it, is resistant to pilling, and is stronger than cotton - meaning they last longer and hold their shape. Our 100% bamboo fabrication has been developed in collaboration with our producers and is made locally in Indonesia. This process allows us to reduce our carbon footprint by mitigating the environmental tolls of transporting fabrics unnecessarily across the globe.
By choosing to use local suppliers where we can, we also further support the local economy of our second home, Indonesia.
SUKU Home's 100% bamboo fabrication has a completely custom weft and weave, meaning the fabric is unique and specially designed by us. This means that each piece has been carefully designed and considered at every step of the process, ensuring we have the highest quality and most comfortable products.
Organic Cotton and Cotton Poplin
Organic cotton is 80% rain-fed, which reduces pressure on local water sources. The absence of chemicals also means that water is cleaner and safer. Farmers, and their families, are not exposed to toxic chemicals in the field or through their food and water supply. Organic cotton doesn't damage the soil, has less impact on the air, and uses 88% less water and 62% less energy. We source our organic cotton and cotton poplin from China, as there are no local producers in Indonesia. We believe that sourcing from an area closer to Indonesia is more environmentally friendly, as the carbon footprint of our supply process is reduced by doing so.
Wool and Mohair
The yarn for our knitwear is sourced locally in Bali by an elderly couple that we partner with. The couple source quality mohair-blend and wool-blend yarn and hand knit each sweater. Through working with this couple, we continue to meet our ethos of partnering with craftspeople who embrace traditional stvles of production. This also allows us to support individuals in the community who would otherwise have no income.
Our Dyeing Process
Indonesia has extremely strict laws on waste disposal, and we are adamant about adhering to these laws. Our fabrics are dyed using a closed loop system with no waste, and are all manufactured with plant safe dyes. Our closed loop water system is able to recycle 100% of the water used in processing. Contrary to popular belief, natural dyes are actually more toxic than the synthetic dyes we utilize in our production because they require a highly toxic mordant to achieve color fastness and extraordinary amounts of water. Moreover, we found that using natural dyes resulted in vast inconsistencies in our prints and led to an increase in textile waste. However, no harsh chemical bleaches are used in SUKU.
Additionally, no fabric off-cuts go to waste as all products are made in small batches with a focus on made-to-order pieces. Any fabric that is left over is used to make the bags that our clothes are sold and dispatched in.
For more information on our Studio and our team of artisans who produce all our SUKU pieces, head here.