Founder's Journal

Can You Combine Linen and Wool? The Truth About Shatnez and Science
Every time I post about my linen-wool hoodie, someone inevitably comments: "You can't combine linen and wool", or something along those lines... They usually cite Deuteronomy 22:11, sometimes throw in a dubious "scientific study" about fabric frequencies, and act as if I've committed some grave transgression against God and physics. Unfortunately for them, I've done my homework (both biblically and scientifically)! And the people making these claims are working with incomplete information at best and pseudoscience at worst. What the Bible Says About Combining Linen and Wool Here is what... Read more...
Making Affordable Premium T-Shirts
Winter is almost here, and there is much to do in terms of marketing. While we have been gearing up for those efforts, I’ve also dedicated a significant amount of time create something I can truly be proud of once again. I have sourced another manufacturing partner to create premium, 100% cotton T-shirts. I do not believe something made from such a standard material should be expensive. And in an effort to follow our philosophies, I’ve chosen such a garment to be a hero product in another way. This product... Read more...
Better Pricing for the Hans Linen Hoodie with Wool Insulation
I am extremely grateful to share that we were able to secure better pricing on our flax linen supply for the Hans Linen Hoodie. In order to create this clothing brand, and to create the hoodie, I have dedicated tens of thousands of dollars, and over 1 year of hands-on supply chain research. As soon as we had our fabric supplier and manufacturing partners set, we opened up pre-sales for the hoodie and secured part of that investment back. We purchased our linen fabrics for the first production run just... Read more...
Affordable Linen Clothing
Linen clothing can only be affordable two ways. 1) It contains no to very low actual flax linen material OR 2) It's a low-quality linen fabric, or a thin weave. Unfortunately, both are equally common in affordable linen clothing garments.   Needless to say, some people might genuinely want a thin weave for their linen clothing, depending on the use case. However, the majority of people do not want a thin weave for their clothing at all. It is all too common for someone to buy a linen clothing garment... Read more...
Why Linen is Expensive
Pure flax, Linen is one of the most expensive natural and renewable materials used for fabrics today. Linen is expensive because flax plants require labor-intensive cultivation and complex processing to transform into fabric, with multiple manual steps needed to extract and prepare the fibers. The crop produces lower yields per acre than cotton and can only be grown in specific climates, limiting global production. However, linen's exceptional durability, breathability, and longevity justify the higher cost since quality pieces can last for decades. It also goes without saying that there's one... Read more...
Relinquishing Sourcing Partners
Half a year has passed like sand through fingers, working alongside a sourcing company who promised to help bring the Hans 100% linen hoodie into the world. Yet my hands remain empty, reaching for a creation that exists only in thought. I have chosen to step away from this hollow partnership, seeking new makers on my own path. Where there was once a river of promises, I found only stones of delay at every bend in the journey. My heart burns with the heat of their empty words and their... Read more...
Envisioning the Völk 100% Linen Hoodie
What does it mean for a garment to be affordable, and by what authority do I dare to define such a thing? As I await fabric swatches and estimates from various workshops, I find myself standing at a quiet crossroads between the Hans 100% Linen Hoodie and its more attainable counterpart, the Völk variation. I consider questions of fairness and beauty, of desire and practicality, and how to craft a garment that is both more accessible and still true to its linen heritage. I am comforted by the understanding that there... Read more...
The Policy of Wayland the Smith
About two years ago, I acquired ten hoodies woven from pure, unadulterated cotton for my marketing service company. My intention was to provide something casual and comfortable for our team members—a garment they could wear freely, emblazoned with our logo, allowing them to represent the company whenever they wished. These hoodies became an instant favorite, celebrated for their informal charm, substantial weight, and undeniable quality. They were not merely articles of clothing but embodiments of comfort and craftsmanship. As the seasons have turned and winter embraces us once more, I... Read more...
A Commitment to Family Ownership
  It is a lamentable yet common reality that esteemed clothing brands often find themselves absorbed by large, financially driven entities. But is this truly unfortunate, or might it be a milestone some brands aspire to—a validation of the creators' efforts and visions? When a clothing brand is acquired, two significant forces inevitably intertwine with its essence. First, there is an infusion of capital—a tool that, when wielded wisely, can accomplish much good. This influx can empower the brand to expand its horizons, innovate, and reach new audiences. However, the... Read more...
Is There a Place for Synthetic Materials in Clothing?
Technology, in its essence, is a testament to human ingenuity—a beautiful symphony of progress harmonizing over centuries. Through relentless refinement and innovation, humanity has mastered the art of crafting, enhancing, and elevating the materials bestowed upon us by the Earth. Yet, one might ponder... are synthetic materials not also born of the Earth? While their origins trace back to natural elements, the very notion of "synthetic" suggests an imitation—a human-crafted echo of nature's authentic creations. Do these imitations, then, not merit existence for the betterment of humankind? To truly grasp... Read more...
Is Hans & Völk a Luxury Brand?
What truly defines a luxury clothing brand? Is it merely the perception held by those who view or purchase its creations, or does it deeper? Perhaps something more profound? Who, indeed, possesses the authority to delineate what a luxury clothing brand is? A cursory exploration reveals that "luxury" signifies a state of great comfort and extravagant living. Yet does this notion not shift from one individual to another? What one deems uncomfortable, another may embrace with ease. What one considers affordable, another might find exorbitant. Perhaps "luxury" is a fluid... Read more...
Choosing to Create Clothing Garments
  Why should I be the one to create garments, to create a clothing brand, or to bring forth any creation into this world? Does the world require my unique offerings, or am I driven by whispers of pride? The world is an ever-evolving tapestry of pure nature intertwined with chaos, and amidst this entropy, there are those who seek to weave order. While some souls find solace within the constructs of order, I have always been drawn to venture into the untamed wilderness of nature. There is profound pleasure... Read more...