Sometimes you find the nicest things exactly where you don't expect them. For instance, at the last trade fair, we stumbled upon Funny Girl by Zohra Hill in a quiet corner. And honestly: we were sold immediately.
Because just look at these scarves! Beautiful colors, unique patterns, and made from 100% merino wool. And with a generous size of no less than 70 x 200 cm, they are those wonderfully large wool scarves you can really wrap yourself up in.
But... a beautiful scarf alone isn't enough for us, of course. So before we placed our order, we first wanted to know who makes them, where the wool comes from, and under what conditions they are produced. And sure enough: we really put Zohra to the test. :-)
- 100% merino wool
- Generous size of approx. 70 x 200 cm
- Woven quality
- Designed and sourced by Funny Girl by Zohra Hill
- Produced by long-term suppliers in India
- According to the supplier, produced fair trade and made from mulesing-free wool
- Not certified – and we are happy to be transparent about that below
- Available in six different designs
- A small purchase – we don't know if these scarves will return
Who makes the Funny Girl wool scarves?
Behind Funny Girl is Zohra Hill. She works with her own regular suppliers in India, whom she visits regularly. Zohra tells us that she ensures that the people who make her products receive a fair price for their work and that the merino wool used for these scarves is mulesing-free.
And we want to add something important right away: these scarves do not have an independent label or certification for this.
Are these scarves fair trade and certified?
We want to be very transparent about this. According to Zohra, the scarves are produced under fair conditions and a fair price is paid to the makers. The wool used is also, according to her supplier, mulesing-free. However, this is not independently certified, and we therefore cannot verify these claims 100% ourselves.
Why did we buy them anyway?
Because for us, sustainability doesn't mean just believing every nice story – but it also doesn't mean there should only be room for large brands that can afford every possible certificate.
Anyone who has been involved in sustainable fashion for a while knows that certification can be quite complicated and costly for very small brands and small-scale production. That doesn't automatically mean such a product isn't made well. It does mean that as a shop, you have to be honest about what you know and what you cannot prove.
That is exactly what we are doing here.
Why did Natur-el decide to purchase these scarves after all?
We are critical of our suppliers. We don't want greenwashing, and a nice story is never automatically enough for us. That is why we questioned Zohra extensively about her way of working, her suppliers, and the origin of these scarves.
Based on those conversations, her long-standing collaboration with her suppliers, and the personal contact she maintains with them, we decided to trust her story enough to give this small collection a place at Natur-el.
Is that the same as an independent certificate? No. And that is precisely why we think it is important that you know that before you buy the scarf.
At the same time, we believe that small entrepreneurs like Zohra also deserve the right to exist. People who are trying to do things differently on their own scale need to be able to start somewhere. That was just as true for us once. For that, you sometimes need people who give you a chance.
And we are happy to give her that. Although it certainly helped that we also fell a little bit in love with these scarves. ;-)
How big is the Funny Girl merino scarf?
The scarf is approximately 70 cm wide and 200 cm long. It is wonderfully generous. You can wear it loosely over your shoulders, wrap it around your neck multiple times, or almost disappear into it on a cold day.
Because of the size, the unique patterns and color combinations also really come into their own.
How does the merino wool feel?
The scarf is made of 100% merino wool and has a woven structure. This makes it feel different from a thick knitted wool scarf: supple, relatively light, yet wonderfully warm.
Merino wool is known for its finer fiber and pleasant wearing comfort. As with all wool, sensitivity is of course personal.
How do you maintain this woven wool scarf?
Our most important advice: wash it as little as possible. Fortunately, wool does not need to be washed after every wear. Letting it air out outside is usually more than enough.
Because this scarf is woven, you should also be a little careful with sharp jewelry, zippers, velcro, and other things that a thread can get caught on. This prevents pulls in the fabric.
Is cleaning ultimately really necessary? Then always follow the maintenance advice on the label and handle the scarf with care. Definitely do not mindlessly throw it in with the regular laundry.
Will this scarf return?
We don't know that at the moment. We have purchased six different designs in a small quantity. It is truly the kind of find where we first want to discover how you react to it.
And frankly, we quite like that. No massive bulk production, but a small collection of unique scarves that we happened to come across and that we were very happy with ourselves.
Frequently asked questions about the Funny Girl merino scarves
Is this scarf made of real wool?
Yes. The scarf is made of 100% merino wool.
Is the wool mulesing-free?
Zohra indicates that the wool used is mulesing-free. However, there is no independent certification available for these scarves regarding this. We cannot verify this claim independently ourselves.
Is the scarf fair trade certified?
No. According to Zohra, the scarves are produced under fair conditions by her regular suppliers in India and the makers are paid a fair price. There is no independent fair trade certificate for this. We think it is important to explicitly name that difference.
How big is the scarf?
Approximately 70 x 200 cm. This makes it large enough to wrap generously or to wear as a shawl over your shoulders.
Can a woven wool scarf get pulls?
Yes. The scarf is woven and a sharp object, piece of jewelry, or, for example, velcro can pull a thread out of the fabric. Please handle it with a little care.
