Meet the Brands: Libeco Belgian Fine Linen
The Luxury of Fine Linen
The benefits of fine linen bedding are many – it is breathable, anti-static, hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and it provides natural insulation. Linen also grows softer with repeated washing and is very durable. Further, it is able to wick moisture away – so that linen sheets let you sleep cooler, drier, and more comfortably. Finally, linen feels very luxurious.
A history of Libeco Fine Linen
The story of Libeco Belgian Linen spans 5 generations. Initially, flax farmers did the weaving themselves. It was their way to earn some extra money during the colder winter months when they could not farm. The center of the flax industry at that time was Kortrijk, so the farmers would take their flax there. Libeco (Libeert & Compagnie at the time) sold linen to traders from all over the world, as they had a prime location near the Kortrijk station. Flax was much in demand, as it is today, with traders seeking it from all over the world.
Linen brought much prosperity to the area around Kortrijk and almost 2/3 of the population worked in the flax industry. In fact, if you visit today you can still find streets named after flax and linen. This area still produces some of the best flax in the world. At the present time, the fifth generation of the Libeert family is managing the company. Artisanal skills and high technology combine to make high-quality flax that is ever in demand.
Libeco produces all of its linen in Belgium, as it has been for generations. Approximately 80% of the world’s linen is produced in Belgium, as Belgian linen is noted for its high quality. Libeco flax is produced locally by farmers who have been doing it for years and are passionate about what they do. Experienced artisans weave the flax into linen, as they have been doing for 5 generations.
How does Libeco make fine linen?
As mentioned earlier, Libeco makes their linen from flax. Amazingly, this plant grows to more than three feet high in only 100 days. The flax stems are pulled from the soil, dried and the fiber can then be extracted. This is spun into yarn, which Libeco weaves into their beautiful linen fabric. The fabric is inspected yard by yard and mended by hand where necessary. Their products are made with great care, for the product, but also for the environment. Flax is a zero-waste fiber, as the other parts of the plant are used in other ways.
Over the last few years, Libeco has made significant steps by becoming a CO2 neutral company, and by launching a 100% organic linen collection. Their vision is corporate sustainability for a viable future – to impact the planet and make it better for a better world. Together, they put together an integrated ecological plan to reduce emissions by one third over a period of two years. They implemented measures such as green electricity, LED lighting, solar panels, a more environmentally friendly car fleet, and optimization of waste processing.
Commitment to excellence
People, products, and passion are the three driving forces at Libeco Fine Linens – the employees and customers, the excellence of their products, and their dedication to making the finest linen in the world. These combine to make their product unique, luxurious, and sustainable. To see all of our current Libeco offerings, take a look at their brand page – or pay a visit to our New York City store to look at samples.