hessnatur

hessnatur is a German natural fashion brand founded in 1976 by Heinz and Dorothea Hess and based in Butzbach, Hesse. It sells clothing made from natural textiles, mainly through mail order and online.

What is hessnatur?

hessnatur is one of Germany's pioneers of natural textiles. The company is headquartered in Butzbach in the Wetterau district of Hesse and sells clothing made from natural fibres to nature conscious customers, including people with allergies.

History

Heinz and Dorothea Hess founded the business in 1976 in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe as "dorothea hess, Versand naturgemäßer Waren", a mail order company for natural goods. They managed it together until 1982, and in 1986 the company moved into a larger building in Bad Homburg that also housed a shop.

• 2001: Neckermann becomes the sole owner
• 2011: Employees, customers and supporters found the cooperative hnGeno to oppose a sale to Carlyle, which withdraws
• 2012: Swiss investor Capvis agrees to acquire the company

Products and positioning

The brand's offer centres on natural textiles, backed by a long standing commitment to ethical production and monitoring of suppliers. In a 2010 Stiftung Warentest review of 20 T-shirt suppliers, Hess Natur was the only one found to show strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The company publishes regular impact reports.

Distribution

Mail order, today largely online, has been the core channel since the company's founding.

Why it matters

hessnatur helped define eco fashion in Germany long before sustainability became a mainstream retail theme, and its history shows how customer communities can shape ownership decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded hessnatur?

hessnatur was founded in 1976 by Heinz and Dorothea Hess as a mail order company for natural goods in Bad Homburg.

Where is hessnatur based?

The company is headquartered in Butzbach in Hesse, Germany.

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