Animal Welfare

Beauty should never come at the cost of the beings who make it possible.

At Grivette Design, we believe that true luxury begins with respect for animals and the integrity of every thread. That’s why we are deeply committed to using only mulesing free certified wool and encouraging our customers to choose yarns that honor the wellbeing of the animals behind the fiber.

Sheep and goats are extraordinary beings, intelligent, sensitive and social. They form lifelong bonds, and show empathy with no difference from you or me. In natural landscapes, they play a vital role in preserving biodiversity by gently grazing in ways that support healthy ecosystems, prevent wildfires, and encourage the growth of native flora.

Yet in many corners of the wool industry, these animals are subjected to painful, outdated practices with the most well known being mulesing.

Still common in some major producing countries, mulesing involves cutting away skin from young lambs, often without anesthesia. It is done in the name of efficiency, not ethics.

Equally concerning is the treatment of animals in fast fashion wool production, where intensive farming and long, non transparent supply chains make humane care nearly impossible to guarantee.

We stand firmly against this.

That’s why we advocate for certificated wool such as mulesing free, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and ZQ Merino. These standards protect animals from the most concerning cruelty.

Cashmere and Merino wool is derived from the undercoat of goats and sheeps, primarily in China and Mongolia, which produce over 90% of the world's supply. Traditional combing methods can be humane, but investigations have revealed widespread abuse on many commercial farms:

• Goats are often restrained violently and handled roughly during combing or shearing seasons.
• In some operations, goats are shorn too early in the season, exposing them to freezing temperatures, which can lead to illness or death.
• Unproductive goats may be slaughtered prematurely or killed inhumanely.
• Mulesing causes intense pain, stress, and long term trauma.
• Investigations have documented rough handling, tail docking, and live castration on some wool farms.
• Mulesing is banned or discouraged in New Zealand and parts of Europe, but remains common in Australia.