Arabian Camel Hair Offers A New Renewable Fibre For Fashion And Interiors

British company NOUKK turns Arabian camel hair into a renewable material for fashion, interiors and homeware. The company uses a by-product that herders often discard. It then processes the hair into yarns, fabrics and fillings. This approach earned the project an Editor’s Choice distinction from the Green Product Award.

A Naturally Shed Textile Fibre

Each spring, Arabian camels naturally shed their winter coats as temperatures rise. Local herders collect the loose hair by hand or with combs, without shearing the animals. NOUKK works with more than 145 herders across the Arabian Sahara. Together, they aim to build a clear supply chain from desert communities to textile mills.

After collection, workers clean the hair and sort it by colour and quality. Next, they bale the fibres and prepare them for further processing. Textile specialists in Italy then turn the raw material into fine yarns and fabrics.

Camel hair combines softness and strength with natural temperature control. The fine undercoat provides warmth while remaining breathable. In addition, NOUKK describes the material as dirt-repellent, odour-resistant and free from lanolin. These features could interest fashion designers as well as interior and product designers.

Finding A Use For Every Fibre

NOUKK uses different fibre grades for different purposes. As a result, the company aims to make use of the entire coat.

The finest hair suits shawls, knitwear, light outerwear and tailored clothing. Meanwhile, designers can use semi-coarse fibres for upholstery and other interior products. Coarse hair can also offer an alternative to synthetic fillings in bedding, padding and insulation.

To show the potential of the fine fibre, NOUKK created a small collection of blazers, coats, vests and scarves. The pieces consist entirely of Arabian camel hair. A zibeline weave also highlights the material’s soft surface and natural sheen.

An Undyed Desert Palette

Arabian camel hair occurs in five main colours. These range from pale cream and warm beige to red-brown and dark chestnut. NOUKK calls the shades Sahara, Sandstorm, Oasis, Desert Rose and Midnight Dune.

Because the colours come from the hair itself, manufacturers can avoid bleaching and chemical dyes. Therefore, the production process may require less water and fewer chemicals. NOUKK also states that camels require less water and grazing land than many other livestock animals. According to the company, they can produce up to 60% less methane than cattle.

Beyond its material value, the project aims to support desert communities and keep local knowledge alive. By linking this heritage with modern textile production, NOUKK seeks to establish Arabian camel hair as a traceable, biobased and recyclable design material.

Source & photos: Green Product Award / NOUKK