A Brief History
1976
the founding of hessnatur by environmentalist, Heinz Hess
1976-1985
the introduction of 100% natural clothing and the development of organic textiles
1985-1992
the expansion of environmental production; no chemical finishing of fibers; development of environmental quality guidelines
Since 1990
innovation in developing organic fiber projects
1991: the world’s first organic cotton farming project in Sekem, Egypt
1994: organic cotton project in Senegal
1995: organic cotton project in Peru
1997: re-cultivation of the German Rhoen sheep from Hesse
1998: organic cotton project in Turkey
2005: organic cotton project in partnership with Helvetas in Burkina Faso
2006: organic linen project in Hesse, Germany
Since 2002
development of social standards; creation of a completely transparent, socially responsible textile chain; partnership with the Clean Clothes campaign of an innovative control and inspection system that ensures humane production through an independent controlling organization, a milestone for international labor rights
2005
first German company membership within the Fair Wear Foundation
since 2006
Opening of the hessnatur Flagship Store in Butzbach (2006) and hessnatur Stores in Hamburg (2007) and Munich (2008)
2008
Presentation "Hidden in Natur" with Designer Miguel Adrover at New York Fashion Week, September 2008
First collection "hessnatur by Miguel Adrover"
US-market entry with onlineshop "us.hessnatur.com"
since 2010
New designer capsule collections for hessnatur by renowned designers Eviana Hartman (2010) and Clodagh (2011)
First European member of B Corporation, an organization that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
Created the Humanity in Fashion Award, an annual award presented at Berlin Fashion Week to encourage sustainable fashion design in the European fashion community. A young designer is selected each year and receives a financial award as well as the opportunity to create a capsule collection for hessnatur.