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 corner somewhere. 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 size of no less than 70 x 200 cm, they are those wonderfully large wool scarves you can truly wrap yourself in.
But... a beautiful scarf alone isn't enough for us, of course. So before we ordered, we first wanted to know who makes them, where the wool comes from, and under what conditions they are produced. And yes: 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
- Produced according to the supplier in a fair-trade manner and made from mulesing-free wool
- Not certified – and we are happy to be honest about that below
- Available in six different designs
- A small purchase – we do not 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 herself. Zohra tells us that she ensures 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 to that right away: these scarves have no independent quality mark 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. Furthermore, according to her supplier, the wool used is mulesing-free. But 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 we just believe 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 expensive for very small brands and small production runs. 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?
We are critical of our suppliers. We don't want greenwashing, and a nice story is never automatically enough for us. We therefore questioned Zohra extensively about her way of working, her suppliers, and the origin of these scarves.
Based on those conversations, her long-term collaboration with her suppliers, and the personal contact she maintains with them, we have 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 a right to exist. People who try to do things differently on their own scale must 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 helps that we also fell a little in love with those scarves. ;-)
How large is the Funny Girl merino scarf?
The scarf is approximately 70 cm wide and 200 cm long. It is therefore wonderfully generous. You can wear it loosely over your shoulders, wrap it around your neck several times, or almost disappear into it on a cold day.
Because of the size, the unique patterns and color combinations also really stand out.
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 comfort. As with all wool, sensitivity is naturally 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.
If cleaning is really necessary in the end? Then always follow the maintenance advice on the label and handle the scarf carefully. Above all, do not thoughtlessly throw it in with your regular laundry.
Will this scarf return?
We don't know at this moment. We have purchased six different designs in a small quantity. It is truly one of those finds where we want to discover how you react to it first.
And to be honest, we think that's quite fun. No huge mass production, but a small collection of special scarves that we happened to run into and that made us very happy 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 this for these scarves. We cannot, therefore, independently verify this claim ourselves.
Is the scarf fair-trade certified?
No. According to Zohra, the scarves are produced under fair conditions at 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 clearly state that difference.
How big is the scarf?
Approximately 70 x 200 cm. This makes it large enough to wrap around you generously or to wear as a wrap 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 from the weave. Therefore, handle it with a bit of care.
