Long before Betty & George existed, I was drawn to things with a story.
The perfectly worn in sweatshirt, shoes, jacket or belt. A vintage designer piece from a collection that can never be recreated. A piece of jewelry passed down through generations.
The objects in our homes that become more meaningful with time. I have always believed that some of the most beautiful things are the ones that get a second life. That philosophy became the foundation for Betty & George. When I began creating Betty & George, I knew I wanted to focus on what I know best.
Throughout my career, I have always been drawn to focused brands and product categories with a clear point of view. I wasn't interested in creating a little bit of everything. I wanted to build a collection around a single category I truly understood. For me, that category was cashmere. Few materials feel as luxurious, comfortable, versatile, and timeless.
Once I started thinking about the collection, recycled cashmere felt obvious. All of my inspiration came from vintage pieces I loved. Old sweatshirts. Worn-in sweaters. Clothing with personality, history, and character, all my old magazines and books….pieces that had already lived a life. So why wouldn't the cashmere have a story too? The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
I've always been drawn to things that feel collected rather than manufactured. Things that get better with time. Things that have been loved before. Recycled cashmere carried that same feeling. It felt more interesting. More authentic. More aligned with the world I wanted to create. Just as I am drawn to vintage clothing for its character, quality, and longevity, I was drawn to recycled cashmere for the opportunity to give exceptional materials a second life.
The longer I've worked in fashion, the harder it has become to ignore the amount of waste our industry creates. Beautiful products made only to be marked down, forgotten, or discarded. As someone who has always believed in buying things you love and keeping them for years, that never made much sense to me. I don't know that fashion needs more things. I think it needs better things. If Betty & George was inspired by pieces that stand the test of time, it only made sense to work with materials that embraced that same philosophy giving beautiful fibers a second life rather than creating more waste.
I believe the best pieces in our closets are worn, loved, shared, repaired, and passed on. They become part of our stories. That is exactly how I want Betty & George sweaters to feel. Not precious. Not temporary. But lasting. The kind of sweater you reach for year after year. The kind you never want to part with.
Because the most sustainable garment is often the one you never want to part with.
