10 Natural Fibre Wardrobe Staples That Feel As Good As They Look

What's the inspiration behind the latest collection?
“Globally we’re all living in challenging times of varying degrees, we need comfort, warmth, familiarity alongside the excitement of the unexpected and extraordinary, with these key sentiments in mind, The River Answer was brought to life. In the collection you will find interpretations of our signature pieces and new silhouettes inspired by the fibres they’re made from. I was drawn to blue tones, it signifies serenity to me – something we’re all going to need for some time to come, it also brings a contemporary and classic element to your wardrobe. Subtle stitch details from times gone by and a play on proportions are other elements that bring The River Answer together.”

Why is the use of natural fibres and fabrics important to you and your customers?
“Natural fibres are far superior, the properties that each offers the wearer cannot be replicated by synthetic, essentially they’re kinder to our precious skin and also don’t take hundreds of years to break down at the end of their life. What comes from nature can return to it – each piece is biodegradable. Through my business I don’t want to be responsible for contributing to landfill and the breakdown of our climate by using manmade fibres, I also feel passionately about the level of texture that can be created by using these fibres and the benefits they offer our customers, breathability, insulation and softness to name a few. The fibres inform the design, I enjoy working with that brief.”

Tell us about some of the fabrics and details of the designs.
“The beauty of natural fibres and the subtle design details we add to our pieces can sometimes be missed in images, they come to life when seen and more importantly felt in real life. The structured yet incredibly soft hand of the Vada Jumper for instance has an oversized shape yet is flattering due to the weight of the knit and the texture created with the colour has another dimension when seen in person.”

“The Dahlia Dress with its notch at the neck and lighter weight irregular rib is soft next to the skin yet makes you feel secure with the structure of the rib knit. We make a priority of our finishing, French seams are used so again not only is that a superior finishing technique you don’t feel overlocking when worn. Ensuring the end garment is cut or knitted in a way that is not only flattering but feels incredible is what makes the difference.”

Marle pieces are made to be cherished beyond a single season – what are your care tips to help prolong the life of your wardrobe?
“As our pieces are at their essence from nature, care does need to be taken with them. I suggest always folding your knitwear and putting either dried lavender or cloves in the drawer to deter moths; folding also ensures the garment doesn’t stretch and fall out of shape. Knitwear made of natural fibres doesn’t need to be washed frequently, due to the self cleaning properties of the fibres, I recommend airing out pieces and spot cleaning, then a light hand wash once a season. For our woven garments, it's best to follow the washing instructions and use an eco-friendly detergent.”

Top 10 Must-Haves