Our Story

How it started ...

A heart began to beat in the 80's, starting with the wool trade that already existed in the family and that would make perfect sense to develop by creating and producing our own products.

 

The acquisition of old machines in factories that had closed and were destined for “slaughter” or simple abandonment, paved the way for the passionate process of transforming wool into yarn and finally into fabrics.

  

In 2010, we opened doors in the heart of Lisbon, in Chiado, which set the tone for our brand - CHIcoração. It was just the beginning of a hike. Today you can find us at Alfama, always committed to growing in quality and innovation, ensuring the excellence of our products.

01

WOOL'S
TRANSFORMATION

Everything starts in the herd. In spring, before the arrival of summer, the annual shearing takes place where each sheep undresses its wool fleece, the raw material of choice for our winter clothes. At the same time, animals suffer less on hot summer days. 

As the wool's fleece isn't all the same it's necessary to sort it out, separating the finer fibers and removing straw and dirt. This process is done manually, by experienced hands.

02

WASHING AND CARDING

The wool is then washed in large tanks, using recovered rainwater.

The following step is carding, which consists in separating and loosening the fibers.

03

combing and spinning

Combing is also a process of separating and preparing the fibers for spinning. It allows us to select the longest ones, while paralleling them in a wich, which will give us a higher quality yarn than the carded ones.

Thus prepared, the wool fibers will be transformed into a yarn by the spinning process. This yarn is originated from the twisting of the fibers.

04

DYEING PROCESS

Although wool offers a range of organic shades, we like to have a diverse range of colors.

That's obtained by dyeing natural wool, using only certified dyes.

05

WEAVING AND
FINISHING TREATMENTS

The yarn, which is essential for the next phase: weaving. The loom's preparation involves a set of demanding operations. Then the production of the fabric begins, through weaving. The weft thread crosses with the warp threads several times, creating the fabric.

After being removed from the loom, the fabric goes through finishing treatments to improve its touch and flexibility. It's a treatment made of rain water, biodegradable cleaning agents and steam.

It's time to carefully appreciate our final work, always wanting to improve and to do better.

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