I draw so much inspiration from the beauty the world gives us freely. It is imperative that we ensure that these wonders are not destroyed.
—Arturo
Sustainable Practices
Hat making has been inherently damaging to the environment.
With this understanding, Arturo has long been at the forefront of ecologically-sound practices in millinery. It's a commitment to the environment, and to his clients.
Sourcing
Most environmental problems are "legacy" issues, meaning that old, harmful practices are continued simply because that was the only option. We're taking a new look and are making some firm statements about:
Animal-Derived Products
Products which are animal-derived (feathers, mostly) are procured from vendors who strictly abide by cruelty-free practices. When possible, we use feathers that have naturally been shed.
Textiles
Our silk and other textiles are produced using organic, naturally-derived resources when possible. Water use is monitored closely and chemicals, when used at all, are deployed in a closed-loop ecology.
Minerals & Gems
When we do utilize gems and minerals (crystals, for example) we insure that they are from vendors that do not engage in strip mining or deforestation. All crystals used are lead-free glass.
Human Rights
Hat making uses many components. Human skill is at its core. We believe strongly that any material produced or skill employed is done so fairly, equitably and with social responsibility.
RDS-certified means a product contains down and feathers from ducks and geese that have been treated humanely, as verified by the Responsible Down Standard. This certification ensures that no live-plucking or force-feeding occurred and that the birds were cared for according to leading animal welfare standards, often referred to as the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. The standard also provides a verifiable chain of custody to ensure the down's origin can be traced from farm to finished product.
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Animal welfare:
The standard prohibits cruel practices like live-plucking and force-feeding, ensuring animals are treated with respect.
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Supply chain traceability:
It requires a certified chain of custody, so the down can be tracked from the farm through the entire supply chain to the final product.
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Third-party auditing:
Professional, independent third-party certification bodies audit each stage of the supply chain to ensure the standard is met.
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Five Freedoms:The certification is based on the principle of respecting the Five Freedoms of animal welfare, which include freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury, or disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.
The fashion industry has a celebrated history with feathers. They were one of Coco Chanel’s favourite motifs, frequently used as embellishments in her collections, as well as those of her contemporaries Cristóbal Balenciaga, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. The late Alexander McQueen was inspired by the feather – “[its] colours, its graphics, its weightlessness and its engineering” – and used it elaborately in his designs.
Feathers flutter down the catwalks of fashion houses including Saint Laurent, Maison Margiela and Moschino, making them a high street trend.
Source—The Guardian
Arturo is firmly committed to sourcing feathers from well-established, licensed vendors who are routinely audited and proof of sustainable ecological practices must be proven.
The term "mad as a hatter" is derived from the mercury-laden felt used in early production. Dyes were often a chemical brew of arsenic, formaldehyde and some very powerful carcinogens. Water usage can be astronomical and recycling, well, doesn't exist. We've decided to be transparent and tell you how we're mitigating these risks.