Our Fibers
Every Fibre, Chosen with Purpose
At NZ Charly, what a garment is made of is never an afterthought. We believe the fibres next to your skin matter. Where they come from, how they are raised, and who is responsible for them along the way. Every yarn we use is natural, traceable, and chosen because it is genuinely the finest available.
Nothing hidden. Nothing wasted.
The Individual Fibres
ZQ Certified
ZQ Merino
Not all merino is equal. In an industry where "natural fibre" can mean almost anything, certification is everything. Our merino is ZQ certified, supplied by The New Zealand Merino Company, one of the world's most trusted and fully traceable fibre suppliers.
ZQ certification covers the full supply chain. Animal welfare, land management, and environmental stewardship. Farms are regularly audited, farmers are fairly supported, and the land is genuinely cared for. It is the difference between a label that sounds good and a standard that holds people accountable.
Merino fibres are exceptionally fine. Soft enough to wear directly against the skin, naturally temperature-regulating, odour-resistant, and fully biodegradable. The quiet foundation of most of what we make.
Conservation Fibre
New Zealand Possum Down
Possum down is the fibre that started everything for NZ Charly, and once you understand what it is, it is easy to see why.
The brushtail possum is one of New Zealand's most damaging introduced pests. Brought from Australia in the 19th century, possum populations now exceed 30 million and consume an estimated 11,000 metric tonnes of native vegetation every 24 hours. Conservation programmes endorsed by New Zealand's Department of Conservation work to protect native trees, birdlife and habitat. The fibre we use is a by-product of those eradication efforts, collected from carefully selected regions at specific times of year only. All collection adheres to the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) and the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act 1999.
What makes possum down remarkable is its hollow core structure, a property it shares with polar bear fur. Individual fibres trap and retain warmth with extraordinary efficiency. The fibre tip tapers to just 1 to 2 microns, bursting to the fabric surface during finishing to create a distinctive halo effect and silky softness that only improves with age. Perino fabrics made with possum down are proven to be up to 55% warmer than 100% merino and up to 35% warmer than 100% cashmere of the same knit structure and weight.
By purchasing possum fibre knitwear you are actively supporting New Zealand's goal of becoming predator free by 2050 and helping protect the native forests that sequester carbon from our atmosphere.
15.2 Micron
Mongolian Cashmere
True cashmere is one of the most coveted natural fibres in the world, and not all cashmere earns that reputation. Quality is measured in microns. The finer the count, the softer and more luxurious the fibre. The finest comes from regions of extreme temperature fluctuation where Capra hircus goats develop an exceptionally dense undercoat to survive the cold.
We use 15.2 micron Mongolian cashmere, among the highest grades commercially available. Sourced by Woolyarns through long-term relationships with trusted suppliers, fibres are harvested by hand during the natural shedding season, then carefully blended at the Wellington mill.
Cashmere insulates without bulk, drapes with effortless fluidity, and becomes measurably softer with every careful wash. A piece made with quality cashmere is a garment that rewards you more the longer you wear it.
Oeko-Tex Certified
Mulberry Silk
Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres by weight. In a blended fabric it adds tensile strength and longevity, creates an incomparable surface luminosity, and amplifies the softness of every fibre it sits alongside.
We use 11 micron Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified Chinese Mulberry silk, the highest grade available, produced without harmful chemicals. Sourced by the dedicated team at Woolyarns through long-standing trusted partnerships, the greater number of fibres in the cross-section of the yarn improves strength, quality, and performance throughout the life of the garment.
Cool to the touch initially, then softly and deeply warm. Naturally hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and fully biodegradable.
Kaamera by Woolyarns
Bactrian Camel Down
Camel down is one of the rarest luxury fibres in the world. Sourced from the Bactrian camel of Inner Mongolia and China, the fibre is harvested by hand during the natural moulting season and carefully de-haired to reveal a luxuriously fine downy undercoat that rivals cashmere and possum down in terms of softness and warmth.
Woolyarns craft this fibre into their exclusive Kaamera yarn, combining it with their specialist technology and decades of expertise. Available in a beautiful deep natural brown and a soft natural ivory, the camel down brings a richness of tone and depth of handle that is entirely its own.
Garments made with camel down carry a quiet, confident warmth and a natural character that cannot be replicated artificially.
Via Woolyarns
Angora
Angora fibre comes from the Angora rabbit and is one of the softest natural fibres available. Its fine, lightweight structure gives finished garments an exceptionally delicate warmth and a characteristic soft halo that is instantly recognisable and unlike anything else to the touch.
We currently use angora in one yarn blend, sourced through Woolyarns. We believe in being fully transparent about every fibre we use. Angora is a fibre that deserves careful attention. Woolyarns source our Angora fibre from China, which accounts for over 90% of the world's Angora production. They have been partnering with their Angora supplier for many years and are confident in their ethical treatment of Angora rabbits. Through thoroughly investigation of their practices they can ensure that they only employ the hair-cutting method, thus not harming, or hurting the animal.
Further sourcing and animal welfare documentation for this fibre is available directly from our supplier.
Via DEA Yarns NZ
Cotton
Cotton is the fibre we reach for when warmth gives way to lighter seasons. Breathable, naturally moisture-wicking, and soft against the skin, it offers a completely different wearing experience to our wool and down blends while maintaining the same commitment to quality.
Our cotton is sourced through DEA Yarns, a New Zealand based supplier. It is used both as a standalone fibre in our 100% cotton pieces and as a base in select blended yarns, bringing lightness, structure, and versatility to the warmer end of the range.
Via DEA Yarns NZ
Linen
Linen is one of the oldest natural fibres in the world and one of the most sustainably produced. Made from the flax plant, it requires significantly less water and pesticide than cotton to grow, and improves with every wash, becoming softer and more supple the more it is worn.
Sourced through DEA Yarns and used in our cotton-linen blend, linen adds a beautiful natural texture, exceptional breathability, and that effortlessly relaxed quality it is loved for worldwide. It is the ideal warm-weather companion to our cool-season wool and down pieces.
Our Blends
Each blend is carefully considered to let the best qualities of every fibre work together. Warmth, softness, durability, drape and breathability in different proportions for different purposes. This is how we build a garment that genuinely performs.
Merino, Possum and Silk
Everyday luxury. Merino provides structure and breathability, possum adds warmth and pill resistance, and silk lifts the softness with a subtle surface sheen. Versatile across all seasons.
Merino and Possum
Pure and simple. Equal parts merino and possum down create a warm, pill-resistant, beautifully soft fabric with exceptional insulation. A timeless combination that lets both fibres speak for themselves.
Merino, Angora, Possum and Silk
Four fibres working together to create something exceptionally soft and light. The angora halo, the possum warmth, the merino structure, and the silk luminosity all in one piece.
Angora sourcing documentation currently being confirmed. See fibre notes above.Merino, Possum and Nylon
Our most hardwearing everyday blend. The 10% nylon reinforces the hollow possum fibre under the tension of knitting and extends the long-term wear life of the garment. This is precision engineering in service of longevity.
Nylon is the only non-natural component across our entire range and is used solely for structural performance. All other fibres across all blends are 100% natural.
Cashmere, Possum and Silk
The most luxurious blend we offer. Cashmere and possum down are natural partners, each hollow-structured and extraordinarily warm. The silk elevates both with strength and surface brilliance. This is what true luxury knitwear feels like.
Cotton, Possum and Merino
Breathable and light with just enough possum and merino to add natural temperature regulation and softness. A transitional blend that works beautifully in the shoulder seasons when you need comfort without weight.
Camel Down and Merino
Rare and quietly remarkable. The Bactrian camel down brings natural warmth, depth of colour, and a richness of handle that few fibres can offer. Paired with ZQ merino for structure and wearability, this is a blend for those who appreciate the exceptional.
100% Cotton
Pure, simple, and effortlessly wearable. Complete breathability and a clean, relaxed hand-feel for warmer days and easy layering. Nothing added. Nothing needed.
Cotton and Linen
The ideal warm weather combination. Cotton softness and moisture-wicking meets linen texture and breathability. Gets better with every wash. Effortlessly relaxed and completely natural.