Linen is derived from the fibres of the flax plant – a slender, unbranched plant which produces a periwinkle-blue flower that opens in the morning and drops its petals by the afternoon. Once ready to harvest, it is retted, scutched and combed, before being spun into golden-grey threads that can be warped and woven. The finished textile is unmatched: inherently luxurious, breathable and strong, with a soft, pearlescent sheen that earned it the name ‘woven moonlight’ among the Ancient Egyptians.
From the burial shrouds of ancient Egypt, to the canvases of Da Vinci and Michelangelo, humans have been turning flax into fibre for thousands of years. Its earliest known evidence goes back 30,000 years, with the discovery of woven flax in the foothills of present-day Georgia. It’s also the fibre behind the oldest known piece of clothing, a dress discovered in Cairo in 1913, thought to be over 5000 years old.
Today linen is experiencing a renaissance due to its breathability, luxurious look and feel, and sustainability, offering a more eco-friendly alternative for conscious consumers.
Linen Facts
Linen has been in use since antiquity – with fragments of linen discovered in tombs, ancient caves and sarcophaguses of ancient Egypt.
Linen is made from flax – a sustainable and renewable resource that is praised for its durability. A classic choice suitable for year-round use.
Commonly found in Europe, flax flourishes in cool, humid environments and prefers moist, well-tilled soil. It is also praised for its economical nature, as the entire flax plant can be used.
Mungo sources its linen yarn from Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale (LCN), an OEKO-TEX-certified Italian company with over a century of expertise in producing top-quality linen yarn. LCN uses advanced machinery and sustainable practices to ensure exceptional quality. Their cooperative, Terre de Lin, and innovative techniques like “winter cropping” to help overcome climate challenges, ensuring the finest fibres.
Not only does LCN supply us with flax yarn of exceptional quality, but they have an ethos that matches our own – a commitment to ethical and sustainable production. LCN collaborates with a cooperative called Terre de Lin, dedicated to advancing ethical linen practices in sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental innovation.
What to love about linen
Natural fibre | Absorbent | Durable | Breathable | Cool & fresh finish
| Softens with washing | Hypoallergenic | Regulates temperature
| UV protection | Lint-free | Non-static | Sustainable & renewable
| Biodegradable & recyclable | Versatile
Join us as we visit the farming cooperative, Terre De Lin, in Normandy to learn about their farming practices and the meticulous care that goes into cultivating the flax we use in our linen products. We witness the transformation of the flax fibre as it is prepared to be sent to Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale for spinning.
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