Proud to win the King’s Award for Sustainable Development

Finding out we’d won a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development was another proud milestone in our long-standing mission to build a greener, fairer future for fashion. It’s the second time our sustainability efforts have received royal recognition – and since winning the Queen’s Award in 2020 we’ve made even bigger strides. We’ve reduced the energy we draw from the grid to make your clothes by a massive 45%, In the last 5 years, in addition to savings made for our first Queen’s award. We have built Britain’s first 100% green energy powered printworks for jersey fabrics, and brought more of our supply chain back to Britain from abroad. We’re now one of just two businesses in the East Midlands to receive this prestigious honour in 2025.

A long commitment to sustainable quality
For over 60 years, sustainability has been stitched into everything we do. Every decision is deliberate – from manufacturing in the UK to choosing our fabrics with care and working only with trusted suppliers who share our values.
We’re also deeply committed to preserving the skills and traditions of British garment making, investing in education and passing them on to the next generation.

Made with care here in Britain

We know our customers care about the stories behind the clothes - the thought that goes into the design, fabric selection, making and hand-finishing.
While much of the UK’s clothing is now imported, we proudly do things differently. All our core ranges are designed, printed and sewn here in leafy Derbyshire in our own purpose-built units where everything’s made with care. Not only does this reduce our carbon footprint, water usage and waste, it also cuts down on ‘fashion miles’ as we don’t need to fly your clothes halfway across the world to get them to your door. We’re proud to have achieved zero waste to landfill, and all our packaging is now recyclable.

Building on the success of our 2020 Award, we set up an energy task force, who have led the way in reducing our energy consumption. Initiatives have included insulating the factory roof, installing new, energy efficient gas boilers and air-source heat pumps, and smart lighting. Research by Nottingham University in 2020 found the clothes we make here produced 47% fewer emissions than similar garments made overseas. Now in 2025 we’ve reduced energy by a further 45% from our 2020 level. Less than 1% of our garments are wasted by being unsold (compared to an industry average of 30%), because our flexible, small-batch production means we only make what’s needed, when it’s needed. Anything we don’t sell is donated to charity. We never destroy unsold stock - it’s always donated to good causes.

Choosing ethical suppliers

We believe every choice matters, and we never compromise on quality or integrity. That’s why we partner only with suppliers who treat people, animals, and the planet with the respect they deserve, always striving to be the best.

Take our lambswool, for example. It comes from a 200-year-old mill in Yorkshire, steeped in tradition and care. Or the special cotton we use for our softest nightwear, Supreme Green®, which is sustainably sourced from Naoussa in Greece.
Every thread has a story, and every supplier is chosen with purpose. We’ll always make thoughtful decisions about our partners and suppliers because when it comes to sustainability, doing the right thing is the only that matters.

Renewable energy from the sun

Our most ambitious leap toward greener manufacturing so far has been converting all our 5 factories to use 100% solar or green energy from renewables. We run entirely on green energy even at night. These are more than textile factories, they are a game changer that sets the standard for the industry. It’s more than a building – it’s a game changer that sets the standard for the industry.
We also invested in the UK’s first digital print plant for jersey-style fabrics, which enables us to print and dye our own fabrics sustainably with 100% traceability. Our high-tech machinery uses significantly less water and because it’s right here in Derbyshire, we reduce our transport emissions too. It’s steps like this that take us further towards becoming the greenest clothing manufacturer in Europe.

Find out more about our Environmental Responsibility.

Passing on the baton

Sustainability isn’t just about the planet – it’s about people. For us, it’s as much about preserving heritage skills as it is about protecting the planet. That’s why we teach and train the next generation through our Sewing Academy and nationally recognised apprenticeships in pattern cutting, machining and design.
But we don’t stop there. Our outreach programme partners with local schools, bringing our designers and machinists together with students for hands-on creative projects like upcycling and repurposing donated garments.

This focus on education isn’t just about nurturing talent – it’s about empowering young people to dream big and aspire to play a part in the future of British fashion in a sustainable and meaningful way.

Discover more about our dedication to education, skills, and training here.

Looking ahead

Winning the Queen’s Award in 2020 - and now the King’s Award five years on - is a tremendous honour. But for us, it’s a springboard, not a destination.
We’re more determined than ever to lead by example, show what’s possible in British fashion, and keep building a business and a community that puts people and planet first.
When you choose David Nieper, you’re choosing fashion with a royal seal of approval - and a different way of doing things. Thoughtful, local and lasting.
Thank you for being part of our journey.