Boll & Branch Expands into Luxury Cashmere with Ethical Sourcing
Home goods brand Boll & Branch, known for its ethical cotton bedding, is launching a $999 cashmere blanket certified by the Good Cashmere Standard.
Boll & Branch, a direct-to-consumer brand established on principles of ethical supply chains, is expanding its luxury offerings with the introduction of a certified cashmere blanket. The company, which previously focused on ethically sourced organic cotton bedding, aims to bring transparency and improved welfare standards to the high-end cashmere market.
The new cashmere blanket is priced at $999, targeting consumers who prioritize quality and responsible sourcing in their home goods. Boll & Branch believes its existing customer base, which has supported its premium organic sheets and Reserve Collection, will embrace this expansion into a historically opaque luxury material.
Founded in 2014, Boll & Branch emerged from a desire to address ethical concerns within the cotton industry, such as forced labor and pesticide use. By establishing direct relationships with organic cotton farms and Fair Trade factories, the company demonstrated that consumers would pay a premium for ethically produced goods.
The global cashmere industry faces challenges including overgrazing, animal welfare issues, and a lack of traceability, with an estimated 95% of animal fibers being untraceable. Boll & Branch's initiative seeks to counter these problems by ensuring its supply chain adheres to strict ethical and environmental criteria.
To produce the blanket, Boll & Branch collaborated with the Italian mill Marzotto, integrating the Good Cashmere Standard. This standard evaluates goat welfare, pasture management, and herder compensation, aiming to ensure a more humane and sustainable production process. This move signifies Boll & Branch's commitment to extending its ethical framework to animal fibers within the luxury home goods sector.