babaà

Name: babaà
Brand: Spain
Availability: OutOfStock

since 2012 : Knitting a World of Warmth, Craft and Care

babaà was founded in 2012 by Marta Bahillo, a Spanish designer with a background in fashion and textile design from Dublin and early knitwear experience in Argentina. Raised between the rhythms of Spanish countryside life and the tactile world of wool and natural fibres, Marta built babaà as an extension of her personal values. Even the name reflects this intimacy, echoing the soft sound of sheep, a poetic nod to the raw materials that define her work.

Production, Factory, and Craft

Every Babaà piece begins in a family-run factory tucked in the mountains northwest of Barcelona, initially founded by Salvador in the 1980s and now led by his son, Josep, alongside a small team of local artisans. The workday is long but deeply rooted in community, with many artisans living just minutes away. Japanese knitting machines bring technical precision, while finishing and assembly are done by hand to preserve a human touch. Samples are washed and tested for shrinkage, and every finished garment undergoes meticulous quality checks, with even the smallest thread out of place carefully corrected.

Marta and Josep collaborate directly on each design, guided by the qualities of the yarn itself. Colours are created in specialist labs in Coruña through iterative dyeing trials, and they often carry poetic names, such as Hibiscus Flower or Alphonso Mango.

Materials, Sourcing, and Ethics

Babaà uses 100 percent natural materials, such as Spanish wool, merino, linen, cotton, and occasionally cashmere, deliberately avoiding synthetics and acrylics. The wool comes from northern Spanish shepherds, often sourced directly for full traceability, while the cotton is grown in Andalucía. The brand’s dyeing processes use approximately 60 percent less water than conventional methods and eliminate bleaching and toxic by-products.

Ethics are woven into the business model. babaà commits to fair labor and transparent relationships, refusing to pressure the factory to lower prices and frequently sharing the stories of their artisans, shepherds, and color specialists. It is a label built on respect for people, land, and materials.

Style, Fit, and Design Language

babaà’s signature is chunky, textured, oversized knits with a minimal yet cozy aesthetic. The palette draws from nature, leaning toward earth tones, muted hues, and the occasional burst of rich, fruit-colored hues. Pieces range from sweaters, cardigans, vests, and skirts to matching sets, spanning women’s, men’s, and children’s collections. Many garments are one-size or generously cut, while a few offer more fitted alternatives for those who prefer a more structured fit.

Cultural Presence and Customer Perception

Among slow fashion and knitwear enthusiasts, babaà has achieved cult status, often appearing in sustainability-focused editorials and coveted by those who prize craftsmanship, authenticity, and timeless design. Customers frequently return to purchase more, treating each piece as a cherished heirloom.

What It Means to Own a babaà Piece

Owning a babaà knit is less about seasonal fashion and more about participating in a lineage of care and craft. It means wearing something that carries the story of Spanish shepherds, local artisans, and Marta’s personal devotion to natural beauty. It is a garment that softens and evolves, offering warmth, texture, and emotional weight to those who value pieces made slowly, thoughtfully, and with love.