About Our Clothes
Natural--Just because Cotton is natural does not mean it is organic. Cotton itself is a natural fiber, it is grown and harvested. But conventional cotton is very different from Organic Cotton.
Conventional cotton is the second most pesticide-laden crop in the entire world! Five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in the U.S. (cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite and trifluralin) are known cancer-causing chemicals and are a major pollutant to our air quality. It takes approximately 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton to make just one t-shirt.
Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown in pesticide- and herbicide-free soil using natural farming methods. Organic cotton production produces healthier fabrics, a healthier environment, and preserves the quality of our water systems by the prevention of extra toxins in our agricultural systems. People with allergies and chemical sensitivity will especially benefit from organic cotton clothing, as conventional cotton may retain harmful toxic residues. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, organic cotton will just feel better against your skin.
Organic cotton production is based on a system of farming that maintains soil fertility without the use of synthetics, toxins, chemicals or pesticides. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years to be certified organic. The cotton must then be processed according to international organic standards. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. In the U.S., cotton labeled as organic has to go through Third-party certification organizations which verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.
Green- In the U.S. 'green' cotton usually refers to cotton that is not bleached, dyed or chemically treated during processing. However, it is grown conventionally, and falls short of organic. Unlike the use of the word 'organic' in labeling, neither of these terms are regulated or certified, so they may not always have a consistent meaning.
How cotton is raised and processed can have a direct impact on health and safety. Organic cotton provides all the benefits and comfort we've grown to love throughout our lives, without the chemicals.
Hemp is one of the oldest and strongest natural fibers. The hemp fiber is harvested from the large annual plant Cannabis Sativa. This industrial hemp has negligible alkaloid content and therefore cannot be used to make “marijuana” or any other drug.
Hemp enables sustainability and prevents erosion on the farmed land. Hemp is resistant to insects, making pesticides unnecessary for cultivation and hemp grows so vigorously that no fertilizer is needed. Hemp produces at least three times more fiber per acre than cotton plants and produces the most per acre of any other fiber source.
The breathable, porous nature of hemp allows trapped air to be warmed by the body, making these garments naturally warmer in colder weather. Yet its breath ability also allows hemp fabrics to be very comfortable during hot summers. Hemp's UV light and mold resistance makes it a very durable fabric.
Silk
It is renewable resource. Silk is the protein
fiber spun by silk moth larvae, most commonly Bombyx mori, to make its
cocoon. In commercial silk production some moths are retained for breeding so
more cocoons can be constructed. Biodegradable
Being a natural fiber, Silk is readily
biodegradable after its useful life. It can go on to produce useful mulch or
compost, and hence soil, instead of sticking around for the next 500 years, like
most petroleum-based fabrics will. The vast bulk of commercial silk farming
(sericulture) occurs in North Asia (China, Korea and Japan), as well as India,
so could not be considered a local material to Europe or North America.
"Peace Silk" lets the silkworm live out its full life cycle. "Peace silk", also known as "vegetarian silk" is raised and processed differently. The moths are allowed to emerge from their cocoons to live out their full life cycle. The silk is degummed and spun like other fiber, instead of being reeled. The resulting yarn is soft, fluffy, and light like a cloud. This is the best silk for warmth.
Bamboo is a natural, renewable resource that can be made into easy-care fabrics. Bamboo (Viscose) is a type of regenerated cellulose, which is produced from refined bamboo pulp through a patented technology a process which spins buttery-soft machine washable fabrics.
Bamboo fiber is made of cellulose and is being produced by processing methods such as steaming and boiling, etc. in industrial machinery designed specifically for these processes. The FTC classifies all man made fibers that use cellulose from plants as rayon or viscose.
For the moment, China is the only country where natural bamboo fiber is manufactured on a commercial scale. Using natural bamboo fiber or bamboo fiber mixed with other materials such as organic cotton, spandex, and polyester, various bamboo textile fabrics with different colors and styles are produced and exported to many countries like Europe and the USA.
**Please note: While the solvent used to digest the bamboo pulp in some cases can be toxic, and the processing of bamboo into fabric is not in itself always eco friendly, this solvent is carefully reused, captured and not leached into the ecosystem. The process in which our designers manufacture their Bamboo Viscose is a virtually closed process.**
Sorona® is made partially with agricultural feedstock instead of petrochemicals, reducing our dependency on oil. In addition to fibers and fabrics, Sorona® can be used in films, filaments, engineering resins and other applications.
Sorona® contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight.
Sorona® fabrics provide a carbon dioxide reduction of 30 percent while the Sorona® manufacturing process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 63 percent, compared to conventional nylon made from petroleum.
See how it works: corn to clothing!
Triexta (a fiber developed from Sorona) provides a unique combination of exceptional durability and stain resistance compared to previously available fibers
LyocellA cellulosic fiber made from wood pulp, also known as tencel®. It is produced by a special spinning process that uses recyclable non-toxic slovents. This process makes it ecologically sound. Lyocell is also very fashionable due to its luxurious hand, drape, and comfortable feel on the body.
The Dye Process
All clothes are not dyed using the same process or the same dye. Each of our vendors has a unique system in place for the coloration of their fabric.
None of the clothing is bleached. The dying of the yarn or material is done with a metal-free, vegetable/plant based, PVC & Phalate Free, natural clay or low-impact dye process .
Woven blends are yarn dyed using low impact dyes. No heavy-metals are used and no toxic substances. There is less water used and a percentage of the water used is actually sent to a water treatment facility for recycling.
The inks used in the screen printed Tee’s do not contain any PVC (vinyl) or Phtalates which are non-biodegradable and carcinogenic
Clay dyed clothing uses and ancient dyeing process that uses earth of different colors. Because of the natural soil compositions there may occur variations of color.
Oeko-tex 100 dyes which set the highest standards to effect zero impact on the environment.