Celebrating 2025: A Year of Progress, Kindness & Conscious Choices
As we tiptoe out of 2025, we’ve been looking back at the little wins, the big steps, and all the good things stitched in between. Before we leap into the new year, we wanted to share a little round-up of all the lovely things that have made us feel warm and fuzzy inside.
A quick peek at all our wonderful achievements:
We released our second Impact Report.
We published our first ever Modern Slavery & Responsible Sourcing Report.
80% of our manufacturing sites are now green-graded.
We upheld our Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification for the second year in a row.
All our linen became Masters of FLAX FIBRE™ certified.
We donated over £4,500 to our chosen charities.
Our wonderful customers made 339 items of clothing (plus 12 teddy bears!) for Dress a Girl Around the World.
91% of our total range is now made from natural materials.
We proudly won Sustainable Initiative of the Year at the Chichester & District Business Awards.
Our Second Impact Report
This year, we published our second Impact Report. A moment that always encourages us to pause, reflect, and take stock.
Inside, we share the goals we set for the year, the progress we’ve made, and where we’re heading next. Pulling it all together makes clear just how far we’ve come: strengthening responsible sourcing, improving traceability, and supporting the wonderful people and communities that help bring our products to life.
Our First Modern Slavery & Responsible Sourcing Report
A big milestone for us.
We are committed to preventing modern slavery across every part of our business and supply chain. This report highlights the steps we've taken over the past year from improving our due diligence and working more closely with suppliers, to embedding fair, ethical practices and increasing transparency at every level.
80% of Our Factories Are Now Green-Graded
This year, 80% of our factories achieved a green rating, a big 23% improvement.
A green rating reflects sites that:
Prioritise worker wellbeing
Champion strong health and safety practices
Invest in renewable solutions like solar energy and water-recycling systems.
These are the kind of partnerships that help us build a better future, one beautifully made product at a time.
GOTS Certified for the Second Year Running
We’re thrilled to have upheld our GOTS certification again this year (Certified by Control Union, 1350258).
This global standard ensures that the organic fibres we use are grown and processed with strict environmental and social criteria in place, from the farm right through to the finished fabric. A commitment we’re very proud to continue.
Masters of FLAX FIBRE™
Every piece of linen we make is now Masters of FLAX FIBRE™ certified.
This certification celebrates the expertise of European flax growers and guarantees full traceability from seed to sheet. It ensures responsible crop management and honours the craftsmanship behind this beautifully natural fibre, soft, breathable, and made to last.
£4,500 Donated to Charities Close to Our Heart
Thanks to your support, we donated over £4,500 to our chosen charities:
Choose Love
The Trussell Trust
The Sussex Kelp Recovery Project
With the help of Virtue, a clever little platform we partnered with, we were able to make giving easier and more accessible, from product-linked donations to optional contributions at checkout.
(Did you know, 50p per item of Table Linen sold helps support The Trussell Trust.)
339 Handmade Creations for Dress a Girl Around the World
One of our favourite highlights this year.
Our wonderful community got stitching and created 339 pieces of clothing plus 12 hand-sewn teddy bears for Dress a Girl Around the World. Each handmade dress offers dignity, comfort and a reminder to girls in vulnerable communities that they are seen, supported and loved.
Fancy joining in for 2026? You can download the clothing patterns any time.
91% Natural Materials
We took another step forward in reducing synthetic fibres, with 91% of our total collection now made entirely from natural materials.
By moving away from blends like cotton-acrylic or cotton-nylon, we’re reducing the release of microplastic fibres during washing. A small but meaningful shift towards a healthier planet.
Sustainable Initiative of the Year
A moment that made us beam with pride.
At this year’s Chichester & District Business Awards, Secret Linen Store was honoured with the Sustainable Initiative of the Year award.
The judges recognised the work we’ve done to:
Map and strengthen our supply chain
Advance ethical sourcing
Champion transparency
And expand our Repurpose, Repair and Care policy, helping keep beautiful products in use for longer.
It feels wonderfully encouraging to have our efforts celebrated close to home.
Looking Ahead
2025 has been a year of growth, learning and gentle but meaningful progress. None of it would be possible without you — our community who chooses thoughtful, natural, long-lasting things for the homes they love.
Here’s to more conscious making, crafting, stitching, donating, mending and meaningful change in 2026.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
