We live in a world where purchasing is quick, clothing is cheap and fashion moves fast. Too often, we lose sight of the time, skill and care required to make clothing that is built to last. Garments are discarded when they go out of fashion or simply aren't made to endure. This cycle is unsustainable, placing unnecessary strain on the environment while often relying on manufacturing practices where workers are underpaid and working conditions fall short of what they deserve.

At Davaar, we chose a different path.

Every stage of our supply chain remains in New Zealand, allowing us to know every person, every process and every step behind each garment we make. It means we can uphold the standards of quality, craftsmanship and fairness that matter deeply to us.

A Davaar garment is never made quickly, and it is never made in isolation. Its story begins long before yarn is spun or knitting needles begin their work.

Davaar Station sits near Te Anau, at the southern end of New Zealand's South Island. Here, we farm Romney–Perendale cross sheep that are naturally suited to our rugged, high-rainfall environment.

Unlike Merino sheep, whose natural habitat is in New Zealand's dry high country, Romney–Perendale sheep thrive in wetter conditions. Their hardier feet and resilient nature make them well suited to life on Davaar Station, while the wool they produce is stronger and more durable. This makes it an ideal fibre for outerwear designed to be worn, loved and relied upon for years to come. Merino wool by comparison is finer and beautifully suited to lightweight base layers.

By farming sheep that are naturally suited to our land, we prioritise both animal welfare and the quality of the fibre they produce.

For us, everything starts with the land. Healthy soils grow healthy pasture, which nourishes healthy sheep, and it is the care of these sheep that makes our wool exceptional. Day after day and season after season, they are looked after with patience and purpose. This quiet, ongoing work allows them to grow the resilient fibre that becomes every Davaar garment.

From fibre selection to finished knitwear, every stage takes place in New Zealand alongside specialist partners who have spent decades refining their craft.

Fibre selection is led by Christchurch based wool expert Don Morrison, who uses advanced fibre scanning technology to identify the highest quality wool. He looks for fibres that are round, even and resilient - qualities that produce a softer, stronger yarn, minimise pilling and help garments retain their shape over time. Only sheep meeting these exacting standards are selected, shorn separately and their wool carefully set aside for Davaar.

The wool is then washed at WoolWorks in Timaru, spun and dyed at Woolyarns in Wellington, before being knitted by the skilled team at Otago Knitwear in Dunedin. Every garment is handled multiple times throughout production, carefully checked, refined and finished before returning to Davaar HQ at Davaar Station for one final inspection before it reaches you.

We use only wool from Davaar Station because we know everything that goes into producing it. We know the land it grew on, the care the sheep received and the people who transformed it into knitwear. That traceability gives us complete confidence in every garment we make.

Our knitwear is designed to transcend seasons rather than follow trends. Warm, durable and versatile, each piece is made to be worn often, well cared for and passed on. We believe in owning fewer, better things - pieces that earn their place in your wardrobe through years of wear.

The price of a Davaar garment reflects this philosophy. It represents the time, expertise and care invested at every stage. Rather than making more, we choose to make better.

Thank you for taking the time to understand the journey behind your Davaar. We hope every garment serves as a reminder that when something is made with care, respect and intention, it becomes something worth keeping for a lifetime.

Kate - Davaar Founder