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OUR STORY
One family, three alpacas and a meadow in the valley of the Mandel-river in West-Flanders, Belgium, that is how Hug & Hum started in 2013. Once a year – in spring – the alpacas were shorn. Anja De Brabant and her family were so delighted about the silky softness of the alpaca fleeces they decided it would be a waste not to use them. At first, the fleeces were used to produce scarves: soft, fluffy and oh so pleasantly warm. When Anja got in touch with a knitwear designer, she decided to create a complete knitwear collection consisting of 100% baby alpaca. Pure and natural, without any dyes or chemical treatments and with all of the natural qualities of alpaca.
Today, Hug & Hum is ready to wrap the world in alpaca warmth and cosiness.
RESPECT
Respect for nature – and the natural beauty of alpaca fleece – is at the core of Hug & Hum’s story. In order to preserve their insulating qualities and fluffy feel, alpaca fleeces are mainly processed by hand. After the alpacas are shorn, the fleeces are sorted out by colour and quality. Plant residues and impurities are removed – the so-called skirting – and only the best parts are selected to be spun into the softest yarn. The knitting is done with the same care and respect fort he fibre. By using a stitch that doesn’t pull the yarn too tight, we are able to keep its natural softness.
WARMTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
LOVE
Hug & Hum uses 100% baby alpaca from Peru. That is also where all the spinning and knitting is done. We work together with a knitwear atelier located in Peru, that employs local, socially vulnerable women, allowing them to earn a fair income to support themselves and their families. Recently, we started a similar collaboration with a social enterprise that produces all- natural botanically dyed yarns, in small batches by the skilled hands of local women artisans. They use plants they find in the mountains to dye the alpaca yarns in new, exclusive colours for Hug & Hum. By working together with social enterprises we want to bring warmth and softness not only to the people who wear the collection, but also to those who make it.
Sint Antoniusstraat 22 Wakken 8720 Belgium
Howlin’
Howlin’More Info
ABOUT
We are an Antwerp based knitwear brand.
Since 1981 we have been producing quality knitwear in Scotland and in 2009 we launched our new label Howlin’ (scottish slang for smelly). The way of manufacturing remains traditional but Howlin’ offers more room for fantasy in shape and pattern.
At Howlin’ we strive for timeless, playful products that are made with care. So whether it is a scarf or a shaggy waistcoat; all our products are individually manufactured and hand finished by traditionally skilled craftsmen in either Scotland, Ireland or Belgium using the highest quality yarns possible.
Small is beautiful.
MADE IN SCOTLAND
Scotland has a long history of producing the best knitwear in the world and we are happy to be involved in it for over 30 years.
Since the start of Howlin’ our goal was to bring a fresh somewhat twisted approach to Scottish knitwear while respecting its rich heritage. Keeping the best of the old techniques and mix it with new technology, patterns, colors and ideas.
In an ever faster and more automated economy we are happy to slow things down and have our focus on well made products. It’s a niche, we know, but we like niche products, a lot. Just like a small record label doing hand stamped 7 inches with personal liner notes. It’s the beauty in the details.
Each Howlin’ garment is handled individually and tenderly, throughout its entire production, from the first precise stitch to the delicate pressing and folding.
All our yarns are carefully sourced according to their quality and sustainability standards. Our beloved planet earth has a special place in our heart and we think it’s the best planet out there (as far as we know) so we want to have the lowest impact on it as possible.
Our natural yarns come from local mills, some even complete all the stages of yarn production under one roof. This includes grading, scouring and dyeing fleece before colour blending, carding, spinning, twisting and balling to produce this unique 100% pure Shetland yarn.
A quality which is often imitated but never duplicated.
MADE IN IRELAND
Over the years we have been working closely with a small Irish family run company established centuries ago.
Together with these master crafts people we produce the highest quality knitwear with local Irish yarns.
We have to admit, at first we got strange looks when we came up with our ideas but that changed over the years, now it’s simply that classic smile when they see a new Howlin’ design.
We are very happy to contribute to this unique art and craft which is not only beautiful but also important culturally to remain alive.
Producing in Ireland (and Scotland, and Belgium) not only means you have a truly unique product in your hand, it also means that the people making your goods are well paid and looked after.
MADE IN BELGIUM
Next to our Scottish and Irish knitwear we are happy to create products in our home country Belgium.
Together with several small factories in Belgium, each carefully chosen for their own speciality, we managed to make a diverse range of products which include lighter weight knitwear, jersey and towel fabric garments.
Our goal was to create durable, functional and original products which far outlives seasonal trends.
All pieces are produced in small batches and with close attention to details.
Extra special is the fact that for our jersey we don’t import fabrics but that we knit everything entirely in-house.
Therefore we can proudly say that all our Howlin’ products are truly 100% produced in Belgium.
Nationalestraat 20 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Kopstraatje 3 2000 Antwerp Belgium