An energy-neutral building in Andelst, our own sewing workshop in Poland and the procurement of predominantly sustainable fabrics and materials in Europe. Elsewhere keeps virtually the entire chain in-house – from design through production to delivery. The idiosyncratic Dutch brand for women is not only progressive in their designs, but also in terms of sustainability.
Energy neutral building
The stately Elsewhere headquarters in Andelst/Gelderland is beautifully situated on the Waal. The former homestead has been completely renovated in recent years and equipped with every – energy-saving – comfort. Thanks to the 250 solar panels, the building is completely energy neutral. The designer Anne Habers and her team – pattern designers and seamstresses – develop surprising collections here. The tasteful showroom and warehouse are also located in the building. Everything is under one roof. This ensures a lot of pleasure at work and saves time and saves many kilometers on journeys.
Own production in Poland
For clothing production, Elsewhere has its own sewing studio in Poland. According to owner Matthew Thoonen, this offers great advantages. “First of all, the lines of communication are short, which is very pleasant. But the biggest advantage is that we don’t have to produce large quantities. We produce what we need. We may be able to reproduce items that are in high demand. This happens regularly. These items will be delivered within a few weeks. Our customers – wholesalers and retailers – are of course happy about it. And so do we.”
Sourcing in Europe
Elsewhere designer Anne Habers draws a lot of inspiration from the fabrics she discovers from regular suppliers. Matthew: “We buy most of the fabrics in Europe, mainly in Italy and Poland, but also in Turkey. We have a long-standing relationship with most of our textile suppliers. These are well-known companies for whom sustainability and quality are very important.”
natural materials
Anne likes to work with natural materials such as linen, cotton and viscose for her designs. Linen, for example, becomes softer the more you use it and stays beautiful for years. It is hypoallergenic, very breathable and environmentally friendly. Viscose is also a natural fiber that is both breathable and biodegradable. The material feels comfortable and falls beautifully. Nevertheless, Anne does not avoid polyester blends. “Although they are synthetic, they are easily recyclable, which makes them sustainable. The great thing about polyester is that it is easy to wash and care for. A lot of people find that ideal.”
Want to know more about Elsewhere? To do this, contact Matthew Thoonen, email: [email protected]