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.
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, these are those wonderfully large wool scarves you can truly wrap yourself in.
But... a pretty scarf alone is, of course, not enough for us. So before we placed our order, we 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
- Produced according to fair trade principles and made from mulesing-free wool, per the supplier
- Not certified – and we are happy to be transparent about that below
- Available in six different designs
- A small purchase – we are not sure if these scarves will return
Who makes the Funny Girl wool scarves?
Behind Funny Girl is Zohra Hill. She works with her own fixed suppliers in India, whom she visits regularly. Zohra tells us that she ensures the people making 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 mention 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. Furthermore, according to her supplier, the wool used is mulesing-free. However, this is not independently certified, and we therefore cannot verify these claims 100% ourselves.
So 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 all possible certifications.
Anyone who has been in the sustainable fashion industry for a while knows that certification can be quite complicated and costly for very small brands and small-scale production. That does not automatically mean such a product is not made well. It does mean that as a shop, you must be honest about what you know and what you cannot substantiate.
That is exactly what we are doing here.
Why did Natur-el choose to stock 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 cooperation 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 this before you buy the scarf.
At the same time, we believe that small entrepreneurs like Zohra also deserve the right to exist. People who try 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 chance. Although it certainly helps that we also fell a little in love with these scarves. ;-)
How large 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 several times, or almost disappear into it on a cold day.
Thanks to the size, the special patterns and color combinations also come into their own beautifully.
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, and yet comfortably warm.
Merino wool is known for its finer fiber and pleasant wearing comfort. As with all wool, sensitivity is personal.
How do you care for 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 items that a thread could get caught on. This prevents snags in the weave.
If cleaning is really necessary in the end? Always follow the care instructions on the label and treat the scarf carefully. Do not just toss it thoughtlessly in the regular wash.
Will this scarf be coming back?
We don't know at this moment. We purchased six different designs in a small quantity. It is truly one of those finds where we first want to discover how you react to them.
And honestly, we like that. No massive bulk production, but a small collection of special 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 for this with these scarves. We therefore cannot 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 receive a fair price. There is no independent fair trade certificate for this. We think it is important to clearly name that difference.
How large is the scarf?
Approximately 70 x 200 cm. This makes it large enough to wrap around you generously or to wear as a shawl over your shoulders.
Can a woven wool scarf snag?
Yes. The scarf is woven, and a sharp object, piece of jewelry, or, for example, Velcro can pull a thread out of the weave. Therefore, please handle it with a little care.
