Our Story
House of Dagmar is a global luxury fashion brand, creating responsible fashion for women whilst honoring the Scandinavian heritage. The brand aesthetic is minimalistic, unconventionally sophisticated and sensual. Designed in Stockholm, the collections are produced by carefully selected manufacturers and made from long-lasting high-quality materials.
The brand was founded in 2005 by three sisters who decided to pick up the legacy after their late grandmother; Dagmar. Dagmar was a tailor and model of confidence with an extraordinary sense of craftsmanship and style. Not only does her name carry the brand, her sense of quality and ambition to create high quality and timeless fashion is still very much alive.
Below, we have listed a timeline showing the history of House of Dagmar and our efforts on sustainability.
2005
With the establishment of House of Dagmar, we proclaimed three sustainability pillars: high quality in our fabrics, high quality in our production processes and high quality in our designs. We decided to create sustainable and contemporary designs that would last for many years. Half of our first collection was made from mercerised cotton, a durable and long-lasting material. Some still have and wear their cardigans from that first collection, showing the importance of good care and high quality.
2006
Swedish ELLE awarded us the "New designer of the year" prize in January.
2008
We launched a collection consisting of lace knitted dresses and tops made from organic cotton.
2010
We implemented the use of certified mulesing-free merino wool.
2011
We became the winners of Guldknappen, Scandinavia's most prestigious design award. We also started to work with lyocell jersey, an environmentally friendly and bio-degradable fibre.
2012
We collaborated with Värmlands Alpacka, an organic alpaca farm in Sweden.
2013
We launched our first animal-friendly fur, made from natural mohair wool sewn onto a cotton fabric piece (the same process as when making a wig). Using natural mohair wool, we assure warmth and longevity in the garment.
2014
We experimented using recycled PET bottles in our raincoats and other jackets.
2015
Swedish ELLE awarded us with the "Designer of the year" prize. The same year, we started a sustainable Eco-cashmere production using less water and contributing to less waste in the manufacturing process. We began to work with chrome-free leather. The production of chrome-free leather uses a natural tanning method, where tannins from bark, leaves and branches are used. Being an entirely organic material, vegetable-tanned leather will change over time. It will grow softer and darker and acquire a patina depending on its use. A chrome-free leather product is biodegradable and recyclable.
2016
Since this year, all the cotton and denim clothes have been made from organic cotton from GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). The GOTS certificate ensures controls are made to ensure that the cotton is grown without using toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Water consumption is also less in order to keep a low impact on the environment.
2017
25% of our collections was sustainable and a GOOD CHOICE. We started to measure our footprint through the organisation ECAP, The European Clothing Action Plan.
2018
Started to only use certified LENZING™ viscose. By measuring our footprint and analysing the results, we learned that standard viscose is not a suitable fabric because of its harmful processing method, where too many chemicals and water is used. The chemicals and polluted water end up in nature, harming the ecosystem. We have therefore decided to only use an FSC-certified viscose. By choosing this, we reduce the environmental impact of this material. The cellulose used to generate the certified viscose comes from sustainably sourced wood, and the fibre is then spun in a special closed-loop system, meaning that no harmful chemical is released.
Continued to measure our footprint through the organisation ECAP, The European Clothing Action.
During 2018, 35% of our collections were sustainable and a GOOD CHOICE. We also started to collaborate with Svensk Skog and Borås Textilhögskola with the ambition to find a new, natural viscose fibre.
2019
At the beginning of the year, 50% of our collections were sustainable and a GOOD CHOICE. By the end of the year, 80% of our collections will be GOOD CHOICE-garments.
We also started to work with RENEWCELL to explore the possibility of turning materials such as used cotton and viscose into new fibres, new yarn, new fabrics and later on new garments that can be produced and worn with a clear conscience. Our aim is to close the loop and show that recycling clothes finally works.
2020
90% of our collections will be sustainable and a GOOD CHOICE.