Notes on Sustainability
We get our leathers from one of the largest leather tanneries on the island of Java. We work with them in part because they develop processes for vegetable-based dyes and tanning techniques. Our leathers cost more as a result, but we prefer a higher cost over contributing to the toxification of local waterways. While it can be argued that leather is intrinsically not eco, we think leather is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than synthetic leather substitutes. Most of these alternative fabrics are nylon based, and are produced from a toxic mix of petroleum of some very scary chemicals, whose poisonous waste usually ends up where it shouldn't. Petroleum, which seems to run our planet and economy, is also the greatest contributor to its destruction. In the past we have experimented with, soy, and flax, cotton blends as well as bamboo lycras. We have found that the life and integrity of the materials we experimented with did not hold to our standards. Also as with the Is a sustainable fiber that last half as long truly sustainable? Synthetic leathers only have 10% the durability and life-span of leather. So synthetic leathers are definitely not sustainable. Leather is a byproduct of the meat industry, something that would be discarded if not used. Proper use of leather is, by definition, a sustainable practice. There are of course extreme measures of being completely green and eco, but in this time in the world, its extremely difficult to live like that and run a business. Right now it's enough to care, and to constantly seek harmony between production and nature. Being Eco or Green is still being defined by those who relate to it. We feel the need, and are doing our best. Our denim is Bio and Enzyme washed. These processes are much more sustainable than bleach or stone washes, giving the same distressed and worn-out look without distressing and wearing out the planet. We are developing eco shoe boxes made of woven bamboo or ratan fibers (which are plentiful and beautiful), not from card board or tree products. All of our french terry hoodies, jackets and t-shirts are made from 100% cotton. We get our cotton from a fabric manufacturer in Java who acquires raw cotton and weaves it into fabric. We're currently looking into the process to work with organic farms who could supply raw fibers which could be woven into various organic cotton and hemp/cotton blends. We're doing our best to bring you the highest quality materials, to make garments that will last a long time, and to reduce our impact on the Earths dwindling resources. Let us know if you have any ideas, we'd love to hear them. |
On our ongoing journey to adorn you earth lovers with wearable art (and any earth haters among you can take a hike), we are constantly integrating ecologically friendly materials and methods. Here's some news on the steps we've taken to tread lightly on the planet: