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LINEN WHAT IS LINEN? Linen is derived from the flax plant and has been part of the human experience for thousands of years. It is the oldest fibre used by humankind and is so robust that linen items are still found intact in Egyptian tombs. With all this history, linen has proven to be safe for people and the environment. It uses less fertilizer and less water than other textile crops, so its environmental impact is one of the lowest available. WHY WE LOVE LINEN? At St Genève we love designing with linen because of its unique properties. It is easy to launder and boasts non-allergenic, non-static, and low lint properties. It is even mildew and moth resistant! Bed sheets made out of linen are uncommonly strong, soft, and fresh for sleeping. Linen gets stronger when wet, so it launders well and lasts up to twelve times longer than cotton. It becomes softer and less wrinkly as it is washed. Linen is low lint and does not stretch so it will keep its shape for years. Its ability to absorb heat makes it feel airy and cool to the touch. Linen can absorb up to 20% moisture before it begins to feel damp, and it dries very quickly, so your sheets feel wonderfully fresh all night long. Linen always feels clean; it sheds dirt far more readily than other fibres and is naturally hypoallergenic. In addition, due to its short dry time linen is also less hospitable to bacteria. HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LINEN? While all linen fabric breathes well, the most beautiful linen fabrics are smooth, light and airy, with minimal slubs. Your senses can guide you when comparing samples. Sateen weave linens feel softer but are not as durable as plain weave linens. The best linens are grown and milled in Western Europe (Belgium, Ireland, and Italy), be sure to check the sewn-in content tag. Items from China are occasionally packaged as “Belgian Linen” from disreputable brands. When flax is harvested two types of fiber are obtained, long fibers called "line", and short fibers called "tow". Tow fibers are inexpensive and ideal for uses like tea towels. The long staple line fibers are what you are looking for in fine bed linens. St Genève’s linens are made from the most beautiful quality European flax, which is finished to exacting European standards. BACK TO BED LINENS 101

MODAL & LYOCELL WHAT IS MODAL OR LYOCELL? Modal and lyocell are relatively new fibres that are both man-made and natural. These unique fibres are made from cellulose – commonly derived from beech wood or eucalyptus pulps. They are often chosen because of their sustainability, softness, and strength. WHY DO WE LOVE MODAL AND LYOCELL? The process of harvesting wood pulp and transforming it into modal and lyocell fibers is more gentle on the planet than the noxious process of creating polyester and uses less water than cotton. Some manufacturers have even been globally recognized for their contributions to sustainability in textiles, like Lenzing's TENCEL™ branded lyocell and modal. In addition to the benefits for the planet, these fibres create textiles that perform better than traditional fabrics. These benefits include increased softness, reduced wrinkling, reduced pilling, and better breathability. They also have better moisture management which inhibits bacterial growth. This makes modal and lyocell great choices for those with sensitive skin. TENCEL™ is a trademark of LENZING AG. BAMBOO? IT’S RAYON WITH BETTER PR Although modal, lyocell, and rayon from bamboo are all created via a similar process using responsibly forested plant fibres, the end result is incomparable, rayon from bamboo is a cheap fabric that does not wear well. Last, rayon from bamboo is processed using carbon disulfide, a toxic chemical that has a 50% loss rate. Modal and lyocell do not use these toxic chemicals. BACK TO BED LINENS 101

SILK AND SILK-COTTON WHAT IS SILK? Synonymous with luxury, silk is an incredibly soft and supple fabric. Despite its delicate appearance, it is very durable and, when properly cared for, silk will last for many years. Silk is particularly wonderful for sleeping in on warm nights as it is very cool. Silk can absorb up to a third of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. It also responds quickly to temperature in the winter, for a warm and inviting feel. All of St Genève's 100% silks are certified according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, and made by a German textile mill that has specialized in silk since 1923. WHY WE LOVE SILK In addition to its unsurpassable softness, silk is also hypoallergenic, resistant to mildew, naturally flame retardant. A silk pillowcase can help prevent facial creases and bedhead. It is also an excellent choice for people with rheumatism and other conditions because it makes it much easier to turn in bed. SILK-COTTON BLENDS Silk-cotton blends bring together the best properties of both fabrics. You get the benefits and luxurious softness of silk, with the durability and washability of cotton. We love silk-cotton blends for high-use items like sheets, pillowcases, and pajamas. BACK TO BED LINENS 101

WOOL AND CASHMERE WHAT IS WOOL? Wool is fibre obtained primarily from sheep, goats, and alpaca. It is a broad category of fibre that can include cashmere, mohair, merino, and angora. Wool fibres differ from hair because of their crimp and elasticity. The crimp gives the wool bulk which helps it to hold air, making it a fantastic insulator. The amount of crimp (and therefore its insulation) varies depending on the type of wool. For example, Merino wool is fine, with 40 crimps per cm, and insulates better than generic wool. The crimp and elasticity also allow it to be spun into yarn – something that cannot be achieved with typical hair or fur. After being collected from the animals, wool undergoes a process called de-hairing. This is a mechanical process that separates the coarse hairs from the finer hairs so that the finer hairs can go on to be dyed and made into yarn. WHY CHOOSE CASHMERE Highly sought-after and buttery soft, it’s no wonder that cashmere has become synonymous with luxury. It is one of the finest and softest fibres available, offering incredible natural insulation. Unlike sheep’s wool, cashmere is finer, stronger, lighter, softer, and has approximately three times the insulating capabilities. Cashmere is a coveted fabric for many reasons, in addition to being rare, it resists wrinkles and becomes softer with age. It is lightweight, breathable, and extremely soft and provides insulating warmth without the itchy quality or weight that comes with sheep’s wool. BLENDS Expert blending of wool or cashmere with other fibres can result in incredible textiles that combine the best properties of each. Blends will often make the end textile more affordable and more durable – for example, a cashmere and silk blend results in a fabric that is still luxuriously soft, with a stunning sheen, but less prone to excess pilling than pure cashmere. Wool and cashmere blends combine the softness and warmth from the cashmere and strength from the wool. BACK TO BED LINENS 101

COTTON A GUIDE TO LUXURY COTTON The most important factor in determining the quality and price of bed linens is the quality of the cotton. There are many species of cotton. The climate and care of a crop significantly impacts the quality of a finished product. At St Genève, we start with high-quality long and extra-long staple cotton fibres that are spun into thread and skillfully woven and finished in Europe. With decades of experience, we expertly sew these fabrics in-house. This dedication to quality and craftsmanship is what it takes to make authentic luxury bed linens. THE ADVANTAGES OF EXTRA LONG STAPLE COTTON Long staple cottons are wonderful. Extra-long staple are the best! Percales are crisp and cool to the touch, while sateens are supple and smooth. Higher thread counts are stronger, smoother, and softer. Longer fibers, ideally 37mm to 65mm, are best because they can be spun with a lower twist into finer threads. Short fibers have to be either spun into thicker threads or tightly twisted to make a thinner thread. Tight twists make a fabric stiffer after laundering. Short fibres tend to stick out from the fabric's surface, which leads to pilling. The hardest to grow, harvest, and mill extra-long staple cotton is much rarer. This makes the most opulent sheets. ​ Cotton fibres vary in strength and thickness. You can have fine fibres that are strong or thick fibres that are weak. The best fibres are fine and strong. Uniform staple length is optimum. When fibres vary in length, the cotton is only as good as its shortest fibre. EGYPTIAN VS. LONG-STAPLE COTTON The cotton that gets the most buzz is 'Egyptian Cotton'. Although Egyptian cotton is wonderful, in the past several years the market has flooded with counterfeit and low-quality Egyptian cotton products. That is why, at St Genève, we rate our qualities by the terms long-staple or extra-long staple since the length of the fibre is the most accurate indicator of quality. The mills we work with pay a premium to obtain cotton that tests at very high levels on all quality parameters. Some of the cottons we use are genuine Giza Egyptian cotton while others are made from long staple and extra-long staple cotton, sourced from reputable markets in regions with similar growing conditions. BACK TO BED LINENS 101