Materials

Color swatches of linen fabric next to an open book on a wooden surface

A core principle at Roblero is to maintain a high level of respect and appreciation for the materials that we use. It’s not just wool, it's the result of a living sheep's fleece that is shorn and processed into wool. That fleece kept the sheep warm and dry, and now it’s keeping you warm and dry. That kind of connection is throughout every material we use, and we believe in honoring and highlighting that connection because it can be appreciated once it’s heard.

The examples below represent a small selection of the materials you’ll be able to use during your design appointment.

Brown alpaca standing in a field with a blue sky and trees in the background

Wool and Cashmere

Sheep, Alpaca, Yak, Camel, and Goat

These animals all produce keratin based hair that has evolved in cold, windy, high-altitude, or arid environments. Sheep, alpaca, and camel fibers are shorn, as opposed to goat and yak, which are combed. Think of these fibers as the natural version of modern technical fabric, the animals live and evolve to brave the elements, and through human ingenuity we develop fabric that has all of the same characteristics that we call wool and cashmere.

Close-up of green and brown bamboo sticks

Plants

Cotton, Linen, Hemp, and Bamboo

Grown rather than shorn, these are all cellulose which is essentially what the plants use to keep themselves upright. Cellulose translates to fibers that are breathable, absorbent, and comfortable against skin. The quality they share is they’re all selected by humans for their heat management qualities. Cotton is derived from seed fibers of the Gossypium plant, linen and hemp are from the stem of the flax and hemp plant, and bamboo fabric is developed from the cellulose structure of the bamboo plant.

Textured white fabric with thin black stripes on a white background

Silk

Silk primarily comes from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm that feed exclusively on mulberry leaves, which directly influences the quality, strength, and luster of the silk fiber. Transforming silkworm cocoons into silk fabric begins with collecting the cocoons before the moth emerges to ensure the delicate filament remains unbroken. The cocoons are softened, which loosens the protein that binds the fibers together. They are then reeled, where individual silk filaments are carefully unwound and twisted together to form a continuous silk thread. The threads are then dyed and spun into the fabric of which we’re all familiar.

Close-up of a textured blue fabric surface

Close-up of blue textured fabric pattern

Technological Textiles

Elastane, vegan leather, and tencel

Technical fabrics offer key advantages, including a soft texture and easier care than natural materials. Stretch fibers like elastane are strong, which is why they’re often blended with wool and cotton. Even one percent in a fabric blend can noticeably improve freedom of movement. Vegan leather is typically lower maintenance than natural leather, which can stain, stiffen, or degrade without careful conditioning. Tencel is derived from eucalyptus grown in managed forests with minimal water use. The wood is processed into pulp and spun into smooth fibers, creating a fabric that is soft, durable, and environmentally responsible.

Close up of a brown leather fabric swatch.

Close-up of a shell with concentric spiral pattern

Natural Hard Materials

Corozo tree nut, mollusk shells, and jade

The corozo nut comes from the seeds of the tagua palm, and its density make it ideal for the buttons commonly used in tailored clothing. Mother-of-pearl buttons are made from the shells of mollusks such as oysters and clams. They have iridescence that reflects light and are cool to the touch. The use of jade is rarer than most other button materials, and it's an exceptionally tough and smooth stone that resists breaking and cracking, which is one of the reasons it has been used as buttons for thousands of years.

Horn

These horns are collected as a byproduct of the food industry. They are first cleaned and gently heated to soften the keratin, making it flexible without compromising its natural structure. The horn is then pressed into flat sheets, cut into button blanks, and drilled for sewing. Finally they’re carefully polished, often by hand, ensuring that no two buttons are ever exactly alike. Horn buttons signal strength, durability, and carry the memory of a life defined by years of survival.