Something to Love
Each of our fabrics are loomed by hand, thread by thread by Master Weavers. Some are vintage huipiles that have been worn in Guatemala and others have been designed in collaboration with Nena & Co. and created in Guatemala. Every artisan produces a unique signature on their weaving that tells a story, can define what region they are from or how they were trained. Because our fabrics are uniquely created by hand and not machines, there are natural variations in the weave. The spacing of the thread, knots that leave markers of where a thread stops and starts, perfectly imperfect alignment or small snags in a pattern are considered unique beauty marks. These are characteristics that represent the human touch in Nena & Co designs and while we strive for high quality, we ask you to join us in celebrating these natural imperfections.
Denim
Our Up-cycled denim is made from pre-consumer waste. We collect all the new waste from factories that make jeans; this waste is ground back into fiber, spun into new yarns, and woven into new sustainable fabrics. Our manufacturing process is chemical and dye free, and uses minimal water and energy. It also reduces the consumption of new products, minimizes the waste of raw virgin material, and re-uses discarded textiles and fibers. We later up-cycled our own waste from production. The final cotton waste that cannot be spun anymore, we donate to farmers and coffee-growers to use as compost waste and serves as an organic fertilizer for their soil. Zero waste, indeed!
Educate
Sustainable textiles are just as current and progressive as any other conventional textiles; the difference is the story behind them. This is why we value the textile industry as a powerful vehicle for human empowerment and sustainable development worldwide. We believe that beautiful and premium quality textiles should not cost the earth. We are all part of the problem, which means we can all be a part of the solution.
Challenge
We have challenged ourselves to question our textile culture. We aim to shift to new aesthetics providing a convenient and eco-friendly option to reduce environmental degradation. By removing hazardous chemicals from our production, we will free ourselves from the global chain of toxic pollution and waste of our natural resources.
Something to be proud of
The industry wastes 13.1 million tons of textiles are trashed each year. Only 15% are recovered for recycling. It takes 8,500 liters of water to produce one pair of jeans. The average amount of water it takes to manufacture a t-shirt is 2,600 liters of water. 20,000 liters of water are saved in our facilities with every kilogram of cotton produced by up-cycling.
Sweatshop Definition
Sweatshop is a pejorative term for a workplace that has socially unacceptable working conditions. The work may be difficult, dangerous or be paid a wage that is not commensurate. Workers in sweatshops may work long hours for low pay, regardless of laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage; child labor and forced labor laws may also be violated. It's about time we ask ourselves, who makes my clothes?
Inspire
We have been inspired by the textile world's ability to connect values, hoping our inspiration stimulates buyers and consumers to live, create and shop purposefully. We invite everyone to help us promote conscious consumption and to invest in sustainable materials and products; we must remember that what we do to the environment, ultimately we do to ourselves. Be conscious. Inspire and be inspired!
Create
We have chosen to spend more time and effort into designing premium quality up-cycled denim yarn, fabrics, garments and accessories. Our end goal is not just about solving the negative; it's about creating a positive.
What's Up!
Up-cycling fabrics is essential to minimize environmental impacts. Up-cycling decreases the amount of waste that goes into landfills. Eliminates the use of chemicals and land. Significant water usage reduction. Nearly 60% of people are more likely to shop at a business if they know it promotes recycling. There's no planet B.
Nena & Co. leather comes to you after a lengthy process of traditional dyeing and tanning. These long-established techniques ensure a high quality leather product and highlight its inherent beauties. Each full grain hide that we use is unique due natural markings and variations prior to the finishing process. No two pieces will be exactly alike; even items made from the same hide. Scars and bug bites are natural markings, proof of authenticity and are considered beauty marks. As your bag is carried, it will become more soft and supple with each use as the leather absorbs natural oils from your hands.
Our products are of the highest quality and we stand behind them, ensuring you will love the unique characteristics in your Nena & Co. leather. As with all high quality full grain leather, proper conditioning is recommended.
Something to be proud of
The leather is sourced from tanneries that are ISO 9000 Certified. To be ISO 9000 certified a company must meet the eight international standard quality management principles. Nena buys raw materials only from vendors that are ISO certified and that care not just about the bottom line, but also about the impact in their local communities and on this earth, after all, there’s no planet B.
Full Grain Leather
Full Grain leather tanned with high-grade oils and preservatives to keep it from being destroyed early by dryness and moisture. Full Grain Leather comes from the top layer of the hide which has ALL of the grain, therefore, FULL grain. The natural surface of full grain leather burnishes and beautifies with use. It is the best leather money can buy. This leather is expensive to buy and very difficult to work. You can expect scrapes and scars that are all natural. Where the cow had been scraped by barbed wire, bitten by tick, or branded, the color sets in deep and stands out a bit. You'll be able to see the full grain running through the hide in the form of veins too. Your bag may have a few small scars and imperfections, which lend a tremendous amount of character. Full grain leather is the leather Nena uses.
Top Grain Leather
Top Grain Leather is the second highest grade because it is split from the top layer of blemished hide then sanded and refinished. This is how they get rid of scars and scrapes. Top grain leather is used for some Nena products and we will specifically state in the product DETAILS if it has been used for that item.
Genuine Leather
Genuine leather is the third grade of leather and is produced from the layers of hide that remain after the top is split off for the better grades. The surface is usually refinished (painted or stained) to resemble a higher grade. It can be smooth or rough. Nena & Co. does not use genuine leather for any items.
BONDED LEATHER “THE PRESSED WOOD OF LEATHER”
Bonded leather the dust and shavings of the leather glued and pressed together. Leftover scraps are ground together with glue and resurfaced in a process similar to polyurethane manufacturing. Bonded leather is weak and degrades quickly with use. Genuine and bonded leather can be painted or stained to look like full or top grain leather. Nena & Co. does not use bonded leather for any items.
