FIVE MINUTES WITH KELLY HENDERS

Director of Marketing at Hemptech

Hemptech designs innovative, all-natural and sustainable textiles for the soft furnishing and interior design industry. Collaborating with artists and designers from New Zealand and Australia, they offer a selection of beautifully locally designed textiles, printed in New Zealand.

Why do you focus on natural and sustainable textiles?

The world’s environment and the impact we as humans have on our fragile ecosystem is of real concern to us. Hemptech is committed to sustainability and best environmental practice within all aspects of our business, and those of our suppliers and customers.

What are the style and sustainability benefits of hemp and linen?

Hemp has a natural matt aesthetic that works well in all home settings. It requires absolutely no chemical sprays at all during its growing cycle. Linen also grows well with minimal assistance from growers and requires significantly less than most other textile fibre crops. Linen and hemp fields don’t require additional irrigation other than that supplied by nature. Fields of linen flax and hemp are gentle on the land and fit seamlessly into modern crop rotation cycles. Harvesting and processing linen flax and hemp fibre uses very little energy and does not harm the environment. Our weaving mills are also constantly investing in new production methods, to reduce the need for energy and water, and are eliminating or recycling most of the waste.

You have many new collections on offer. What’s most popular this season?

Our most popular fabrics are wide width and in a timeless colour palette of neutrals. Our classic prints that can be custom coloured are also favourites. hemptech.co.nz