Sustainability is integral to our ethos at Turnbull & Asser. By focusing on our suppliers’ environmental impact, their approach to employees, as well as how we make and package our garments, we aim to lower our carbon footprint and make products that are ethical and sustainably sourced.
We do not mass produce, but rather work exclusively to produce only the finest materials, with careful consideration going into everything we do and everyone we work with. Our English workrooms enable us to lower our carbon footprint and environmental impact with shipping.
SHIRTS - GLOUCESTER
Fabric remnants from the shirt cutting process in our Gloucester workroom are used to make boxer shorts and cloth bags, leaving only small parts of material left over. These are then donated to various local organisations. We also offer repairs which include the recollaring and recuffing of our shirts.
TIES - GLOUCESTER
Our second workroom in Gloucester is for the manufacture of our ties. The cutting process itself does not lend itself to large amounts of waste. The silk remnants that it does produce are given to local initiatives including a design school.
OUR FABRICS
Our fabrics are sourced from the best-in-class mills in Italy. Combining innovative technologies and weaving techniques with expert craftsmanship, we are presented with an exquisite fabric. Our shirts are then handmade in our Gloucester factory, using hand-worked sewing machines operated by highly-skilled seamstresses, which are expertly brought together to create the final design.
THOMAS MASON FOR COTTON
A garment is only as great as the quality of its fabric. And for the finest cotton in the world, we turn to Thomas Mason under the Italian Albini Group.
Thomas Mason flaunts a storied heritage that represents stylistic revolution, exceptional quality, and timeless elegance. It has been combining tradition and innovation since 1796. Its entire production process corresponds to the world’s environmental and sustainability standard. Defined by signature British colours, bold patterns, and superior yarn counts, the result is the finest raw materials with cutting-edge spinning and weaving technology.
STEPHEN WALTERS FOR TIES
For our silk, we turn to Stephen Walters. Weaving silk in Suffolk, England since 1720, Stephen Walters has been working with Turnbull & Asser for decades, combining artisan skills with the latest innovation. At the heart of their exquisite fabrics is a fusion of creativity and contemporary craftsmanship.
ADAMLEY FOR POCKET SQUARES
The silk used for the manufacture pocket squares is sourced from Adamley, based in Macclesfield, who have been printing silks in England since 1820.
GRITTI FOR BUTTONS
Our shirt buttons are supplied by Gritti and are all made of sustainably sourced mother-of-pearl shell. There is no wastage and once the button blanks have been punched out of the shell, the remaining shell is ground and used for fertiliser.
DELIVERIES AND PACKAGING
We work closely with the distribution and storage service DSV, who in 2018 received The Planet Mark — a certification programme recognising commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability—for their storage facilities. We are currently working to improve our packaging so that it is completely recyclable, and aim to also reduce plastic use.