Elena Llorens: the power of linen in dE.LENZO

Today we talk to Elena Llorens, founder of dE.LENZO , a Spanish brand of home linens made exclusively from washed linen. In this interview, Elena tells us about the creation of dE.LENZO , the importance of natural fibres and her experience working with Home Healthy Home. She also shares her recommendations for the care of linen garments and how our products contribute to maintaining the quality and durability of her pieces.

How did the idea of ​​creating dE.LENZO come about and why did you decide to focus on washed linen?

It had been two years since I closed the company to which I had dedicated twenty-five years of my life and I had to think about what to do professionally from that moment on. I am very enterprising, a fighter and a hard worker, so I considered two business options that I started at the same time to see which of the two had the least obstacles. One of them was related to my previous profession and the other, dE.LENZO, to my passion for the home, decoration and, above all, bed linen. I came up with the idea after not being able to find a black linen set in Spain more than five years ago and, since then, dE.LENZO has been growing day by day, starting completely from scratch.

Why do you think it is important to work with natural fibres and opt for ecological and sustainable production?

There is no discussion about natural fibres. I can only speak to you, professionally, about linen. I have no words to express what this fibre transmits to me. I love it in all its forms: raw, the wadding for duvet fillings, in pieces with its cosy colours and in the finished product because it is unique. It has so much personality that if you cover a mattress in an empty room with a complete set of linen, you won't need anything else... I invite you to try it. It really takes care of the skin, it promotes sleep, it is clean, it doesn't age and it transmits a feeling of earth. Did you know that animals love it? If you put a linen sheet and a cotton one near a dog, for example, you will see where it decides to sleep... hahaha. It even helps babies to prolong their sleep. It is a very special fibre.

As for the second part of your question, if you allow me, I will reserve the answer because the truly ecological and sustainable thing would be to consume local products, and that is not my case. My production is incredibly sustainable, without water consumption and almost without energy consumption, but inevitably transport is my main ally for suppliers and customers, and this, as we all know, does not contribute to ecology or sustainability.

How have you seen the textile industry evolve in terms of sustainability and how do you think dE.LENZO can contribute to promoting positive change?

I don't think the textile industry is evolving in terms of sustainability, in fact I think it's going backwards. When I was a teenager I bought clothes twice a year, and now it's said that 150 billion items of clothing are consumed every year, and 50% of the clothing made by fast fashion chains like H&M, Zara, etc. ends up in the trash or is incinerated. dE.LENZO does its part in a more significant way by using local suppliers. I would never buy fabrics from China or India. I only work with European suppliers and I get most of my accessories "around the corner".

How do you choose the colours and designs for each dE.LENZO collection?

Oh my God... hahaha! Every day I invent new things to make and I want to have the full range of colours possible. Also, since I like them all for myself, I want them all. That's why there is such a variety of colours at dE.LENZO . My suppliers, who are a fundamental part of my business, already know me, and together we look for special colours in small lengths to have variety, even if it is ephemeral.

What do you like most about linen fabric and how would you describe it? What are the advantages of linen?

I will list in a simple way the properties of my 100% linens, and I say "my" because there are those who say "linen" when in reality it only has 20% presence, even if it is mixed with polyester. Imagine! dE.LENZO linens do not need ironing, they dry in half the time of any other fabric, they always smell good, they wrap you up and keep you cool or warm, they are flexible, they can be washed at high temperatures and they are antibacterial, antifungal and hypoallergenic. In addition, if you choose Natural linen, it will be free of dyes.

How has it been working with Home Healthy Home and why did you choose them to take care of your linen garments?

Working with the Home Healthy Home brand is a real pleasure. The care and attention they put into all their products and everything they do is palpable from start to finish, from the way they communicate with you to the packaging of the order. It's a delight. I'm passionate about sharing everything I like, the discoveries I make of things that are really worthwhile, and at dE.LENZO I have the opportunity to collaborate with other brands that I feel comfortable with and identify with, and Home Healthy Home is one of them. I wash, dry and wring all the linens we make with, and I spent a week trying out several of their laundry soaps to see the effect they had on the linen. The experience was surprising, and I didn't hesitate for a moment.

How do Home Healthy Home products fit into the dE.LENZO philosophy?

Everything fits: the scent, the texture, the presentation, the image... everything fits! The natural scent of all their products is the perfect match for linen. What could be more natural than washing a natural fibre with a soap made from olive oil and lavender essential oil (Soap n°13)? Or perfuming your pillows with lavender chords and a touch of pink floral (pillow perfume n°220).

What are your recommendations for properly caring for linen garments and keeping them in good condition?

I can only speak about the garments made from my linens. I know them like the back of my hand… I do all kinds of dirty tricks with them and I would tell you: Do whatever you want with them, except iron them. You will destroy the natural fibre, make it stiff and wrinkled. Do not use soaps with optical brighteners, you will stain the linen. And of course, do not use bleach. I would recommend that you wash them loosely, without squeezing them in a washing machine that is about to explode.

How do you think Home Healthy Home products can help maintain and prolong the life of linen garments?

Home Healthy Home products help you wash your household linens with the utmost gentleness, softening them naturally thanks to their formulation with organic virgin olive oil soap. This key ingredient not only softens, but also nourishes and protects the fibres, keeps colours vivid and effectively removes dirt and bacteria. In addition, the fragrance of organic lavender essential oil adds a fresh and long-lasting touch to your linen garments.

What role do you think proper cleaning and care plays in the durability and quality of linen garments?

Although dE.LENZO bed linens are certified antimicrobial, it is important to remember that the cleanliness and hygiene of bed linen is essential; if you are one of those people who likes extreme hygiene, you can wash your linen sheets or towels with Home Healthy Home soap for sportswear. Soap n°14, without any problem.

How do you expect dE.LENZO to evolve in the future and what are your plans for the brand?

I continue trying to evolve as I thought the first day; I want to be the reference, in Spain, for clothing and home textiles made of 100% washed linen.

What has been the most rewarding part of your experience founding and leading dE.LENZO so far?

The growth of the brand. The creativity of every day; always inventing even when something has already been invented…and my photos; I go to my website and it fills me with pride. I personally do the design and almost all the internal work on the website and every photo of every product is made by me and when I look at them, they fill me with joy.

I don't direct much; I tell my seamstresses that I'm the "jack of all trades"...maybe that's directing...?

Elena Llorens - Founder of dE.LENZO