håndværk: Changing The Casual Fashion Industry

Is there anything more quintessential than the simple elegance of a white tee, a polo knit, or that casual loungewear sweater? When it hails from håndværk, it is sustainable, ethical, and natural and has a tailored look of crafted style.

Created in 2013 by Petra Brichnacova and Esteban Saba, who share a background in textiles rather than fashion, the husband-and-wife team recognized a fundamental quantity-over-quality problem with the clothing industry, whether you shopped fast fashion or luxury labels. Avowed minimalists, the team's idea was simple: a hardworking yet luxurious wardrobe of versatile, beautifully made pieces with a backstory you could feel good about.

Staying independent for over a decade has allowed håndværk to remain faithful to its initial vision, making sustainable choices that mirror its foundational values, guided by its 'less but better' principle of good design. This commitment has been evident in their evolution, such as expanding their colour palette in response to customer feedback, demonstrating that perfection is an ever-evolving goal.

In Danish, håndværk means 'craftsmanship', a concept that founders Brichnacova and Saba have embodied from the beginning. Saba's partnership with specialist textile producers in Peru, spanning three generations, ensures the sustainable growth of Pima cotton and alpaca wool. This close supply chain relationship minimizes carbon footprints and maximizes material traceability, while their single-fibre fabric approach enhances recyclability.

Merging innovation with age-old techniques, håndværk's garment production is carbon-neutral and water-efficient, supported by an in-house treatment facility that recycles water, diminishing waste and environmental impact.

Focusing on launching only a few limited new collections, håndværk concentrates on perfecting its existing lineup. This minimalist strategy results in premium casual wear that is as comfortable as it is high-performing, with each piece rigorously inspected at the brand's New York warehouse before joining a timeless wardrobe. Opened in June 2024, their 30 Main Street, Southampton, NY store is a pitstop for those seeking closet essentials – including the 'Project Navy', a Limited Edition Capsule designed in Japan that headlines a study on classic American casual wear in free-flowing, oversized proportions.

The journey towards sustainable fashion can be complex, but håndværk's thoughtfully curated capsule wardrobe makes ethical dressing achievable.