we're keeping score
FABRIC GRADING SYSTEM
We created a fabric grading system because we’re committed to providing all of the good (and the not so good) information on our materials. We evaluate every fabric before adding it to our line, and our grading system holds us accountable. If a fabric doesn't receive at least a “C” grade on our scale, it isn’t added.
Impact Score
Our Impact Score takes into consideration the environmental impact from all processes in the fabric's life cycle. We look at the impact of farming, manufacturing, dying, washing, all production transportation, packaging, shipping, garment care, and ultimately the timeline to biodegrade in a landfill.
Our Fabrics
This system highlights the most eco-friendly elements of our fabrics, and also acknowledges where improvements in our sourcing and supply chain can (and should) be made. It is our belief that making this information available will help you make responsible decisions on our website AND ask the right questions when shopping on other sites.
Every decision matters, and our fabric is no exception. Each fabrication in our line is chosen with intention and careful consideration. As we expand our line, we aim to integrate only the most responsible fabrics available. We look forward to introducing more natural, recycled, organic, and regenerative fibers each season.
IMPACT SCORE A+
WHAT WE LOVE Our Organic Pima Cotton fiber is USDA and GOTS certified organic, which means the cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. Pima Cotton is native to Peru and uses 50% less water than other varietals. Our Organic Pima Cotton goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution and lowering the carbon footprint.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We can make this an A++ by sourcing an Organic Pima that is farmed regeneratively. Currently, this is not being grown in Peru, but we hope this will change in the near future.
This is our soft, midweight, 100% Organic Pima Cotton fabric. This non-GMO fiber is USDA and GOTS certified organic.
Growing and harvesting our Organic Pima Cotton leaves the soil, air, and water free of contaminants from harmful pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and defoliants. Which means it’s better for the land and safer for the workers.
We are proud to source our Organic Pima Cotton from Bergman/Rivera, a small family owned farm founded in 1986. Bergman/Rivera has been a pioneer in Organic Cotton promotion and sustainable practices in Peru and was the first Peruvian company to receive GOTS certification. This small family business supports more than 160 families across three different valleys in Peru. Farm workers are paid fair wages and treated with Fair Trade standards, and the GOTS certification also ensures traceability for the cotton fiber.
Pima Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, our Organic Pima Cotton is harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Organic Pima Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric incredibly sustainable. Our Organic Pima Cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Organic Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. All of our Organic Pima Cotton garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
IMPACT SCORE A
WHAT WE LOVE A low carbon footprint. Our Reverse Slub goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation. Additionally, Pima Cotton is native to Peru and uses 50% less water than traditional cotton.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current quality with organic cotton that is farmed regeneratively.
This is our most popular, soft, lightweight, 100% Pima Cotton fabric.
The slightly marbled texture known as ‘slub’ comes from a slubbed yarn, which means that the yarn is thick and thin in irregular patterns. The result is a consistent, inconsistency that mimics the look of a perfectly worn-in tee.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Pima Cotton is actually harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Pima Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Pima Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
We also print our Peruvian Cottons in the most sustainable way possible. The prints are done digitally with pigment ink. Digital fabric printing has 95% less waste, uses 60% less water, and 55% less chemicals and power than traditional rotary printing methods. The pigment ink we use can go straight into a finishing process with almost no water consumption. Other printing methods require steaming (high electrical consumption) and washing (high water consumption) before finishing.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. All of our Reverse Slub garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
IMPACT SCORE A
WHAT WE LOVE A low carbon footprint. Our Stonewashed Cotton Poplin goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation. Additionally, Pima Cotton is native to Peru and uses 50% less water than traditional cotton.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current quality with organic cotton that is farmed regeneratively.
This is our midweight, stonewashed to perfection, 100% Pima, Cotton Poplin fabric.
Our Cotton Poplin undergoes a process called stonewashing, wherein pumice or volcanic stones bash and tumble the fibers. This results in the crisp Cotton Poplin fabric having a softer, worn in feeling that only gets better with each wash.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Pima Cotton is actually harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Pima Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Pima Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
LANDFILL LIFETIME if a 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. Stonewashed to perfection, our 100% Pima Cotton Poplin will only get better each time you wash. It’s been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
IMPACT SCORE A
WHAT WE LOVE Cupro is an ultra-sustainable cellulose fiber made from cotton linter (this is the fuzzy outer shell of the cotton seed). This shell would normally be discarded as pre-consumer waste, but instead it is utilized to make a luxuriously soft and sueded fabric that feels like silk but is breathable like cotton. Our Cupro fabric is made in a facility that uses 40% renewable energy and is 99.8% to achieving their zero-waste emissions goal.
WHAT WE DON’T LOVE Not much. This fabric is made in Japan, so we have to ship it overseas. That said, Cupro is still one of the lowest impact fabrics in our line.
LANDFILL LIFETIME if a 100% Cupro item ends up in a landfill, it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE You can skip the dry cleaning and throw it in the machine whenever.
IMPACT SCORE A
WHAT WE LOVE A low carbon footprint. Our Cotton Voile goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation. Additionally, Pima Cotton is native to Peru and uses 50% less water than traditional cotton.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current quality with organic cotton that is farmed regeneratively.
This is our lightest weight, most sheer, 100% Pima Cotton fabric.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Pima Cotton is actually harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Pima Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Pima Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. It’s been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
IMPACT SCORE A-
WHAT WE LOVE Our Organic Pima Cotton fiber is USDA and GOTS certified organic, which means the cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. Pima Cotton is native to Peru and uses 50% less water than other varietals. Our Organic Pima Cotton goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution and lowering the carbon footprint.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE 5% Spandex. It’s necessary to stabilize and provide the perfect fit, but Spandex is plastic. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex with a recycled spandex.
This is our soft, stretchy, ribbed fabric made from 95% Organic Peruvian Cotton and 5% Spandex. When combined with Organic Pima Cotton, Spandex adds just the right amount of stretch.
Growing and harvesting our Organic Pima Cotton leaves the soil, air, and water free of contaminants from harmful pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and defoliants. Which means it’s better for the land and safer for the workers.
We are proud to source our Organic Pima Cotton from Bergman/Rivera, a small family-owned farm founded in 1986. Bergman/Rivera has been a pioneer in Organic Cotton promotion and sustainable practices in Peru and was the first Peruvian company to receive GOTS certification. This small family business supports more than 160 families across three different valleys in Peru. Farm workers are paid fair wages and treated with Fair Trade standards, and the GOTS certification also ensures traceability for the cotton fiber.Pima Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric incredibly sustainable. Our Organic Pima Cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, our Organic Pima Cotton is harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Organic Pima Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Spandex, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber known for its elasticity. The base material used to make Spandex is polyurethane. Plastic. The truth is that overall, Spandex has a negative impact on the environment.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately three months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions. However, the Spandex portion will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. All our Organic Pima Cotton Rib garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
IMPACT SCORE A-
WHAT WE LOVE A low carbon footprint. Our Heavy Slub goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current quality with Pima Cotton to save water.
This is our softly structured, heavyweight, 100% Peruvian Cotton fabric. It’s best described as heavier than a tee shirt but not quite a sweatshirt.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Cotton is actually harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
The slightly marbled texture known as ‘slub’ comes from a slubbed yarn, which means that the yarn is thick and thin in irregular patterns. The result is a consistent inconsistency mimics the look of a perfectly worn tee.
Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. All of our Heavy Slub garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, to
IMPACT SCORE A-
WHAT WE LOVE No added polyester (which decreases landfill lifetime) and a low carbon footprint. Our Luxury Fleece goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current quality with Pima Cotton to save water.
This is our soft, 100% Peruvian Cotton Luxury Fleece fabric. This fabric has a smooth face with a loop pile on the backside that is brushed to give that fluffy, warm feeling. Because our Luxury Fleece is made entirely of natural fibers (we do not add polyester) it’s going to remain nice and breathable while keeping you warm.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Cotton is harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. All our Luxury Fleece garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting.
IMPACT SCORE A-
WHAT WE LOVE Lenzing Modal is a cellulosic fiber. In addition to the low environmental impact of the harvest and production processes, the fibers are biodegradable and compostable, allowing them to eventually revert back to nature.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE Spandex is plastic. We know we can be even more responsible by replacing our current spandex with a recycled spandex.
Our chic, Chunky Rib fabric is made of 96% Lenzing Modal and 4% Spandex. This means that not only is it incredibly soft, but it’s also quite environmentally friendly.
Lenzing is an Austrian company that’s revolutionizing fabrics by focusing on sustainable harvesting and clean manufacturing. The bulk of Lenzing Modal comes from renewable beech trees which grow quickly, don’t rely on artificial irrigation, and propagate on their own.
The beech wood is reduced to fragments and chips that can be turned into usable pulp. This wood pulp is made into cellulosic (or plant-based) fibers. Now, not all cellulosic textiles are sustainable, but Lenzing Modal is a sustainable cellulosic fiber from start to finish.
The fiber production uses a closed-loop process, which means the water used to transform wood pulp to a soft fiber is recycled back for re-use at a recovery rate of 99%. Lenzing is also able to recover and reuse a high percentage of the solvents from the process and make them into non-toxic by-products like common cleaning products.
In addition to the low environmental impact of the harvest and production processes, the fibers are biodegradable and compostable, allowing them to eventually revert back to nature.
In recent years, Lenzing has developed numerous innovative process technologies that make a significant contribution to the conservation of resources and thus to the protection of our environment. To learn more about Lenzing’s high sustainability standards, please visit their site.
Spandex, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber known for its elasticity. The base material used to make Spandex is polyurethane. Plastic. The truth is that overall, Spandex has a negative impact on the environment. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex with a recycled spandex. This is currently not an option that is available for us, but we are hoping that one day soon, it will be.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a Chunky Rib item ended up in a landfill the Lenzing Modal portion would take approximately 8 to 12 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions. However, the Spandex portion will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
NOTE Chunky Rib fabric can be unpredictable. (Some of the best things in life are.) Be aware this fabric is prone to irregularity, and it may shrink or grow. If it grows, wash it - if the ribs shrink, iron them out. Whatever you do, do not hang. Always store folded.
IMPACT SCORE A-
WHAT WE LOVE A low carbon footprint. The Peruvian Cotton in our Cotton Spandex fabric goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE Spandex is plastic. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex to a recycled spandex.
This is our soft and stretchy fabric made from 96% Peruvian Cotton and 4% Spandex. When combined with cotton, spandex makes a perfect fabric for athleisure clothing.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Cotton is actually harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
Spandex, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber known for its elasticity. The base material used to make Spandex is polyurethane. Plastic. The truth is that overall, Spandex has a negative impact on the environment.
LANDFILL LIFETIME if a 100% Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions. However, the Spandex portion will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. All of our Cotton Spandex garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
IMPACT SCORE A-
WHAT WE LOVE Linen comes from the flax plant, is pesticide and fertilizer free, uses hardly any water to grow, and absorbs significantly more CO2 from the air than other crops. We’ve blended our linen with locally sourced pima cotton and the result is a breathable, chic, and eco-friendly fabric. You’re welcome.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE Our linen is sourced in Europe (where Flax is native) but then shipped to Peru for production. This transportation adds to the carbon foot print.
LANDFILL LIFETIME Linen is harvested entirely by hand, making the fabric extra durable. Because of this durability, the garment will naturally have a longer lifespan. Pure Linen is fully biodegradable and can start to decompose in a landfill in 2 weeks, but given the pima cotton blend the landfill time increases to 3 months depending on soil conditions.
IMPACT SCORE B+
WHAT WE LOVE The Tencel Modal in this fabric is biodegradable compostable and can fully revert to nature and The Recycled Polyester is giving a second life to harmful plastic.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE The downside of Recycled Polyester is that it isn't biodegradable. However, it’s necessary to add to the fiber in order to give the garment its ultra-soft texture and a longer lifetime in your closet.
Our ultra-chic, ultra-soft brushed sweater rib blended fabric made up of 48% Recycled Polyester, 48% Tencel Modal, and 4% Elastane.
The Recycled Polyester is created by breaking down used plastic (from recycled plastic bottles) into small, thin chips, which are processed and eventually turned into yarn. Not only does this process give a second life to a material that’s not biodegradable and would otherwise end up in landfill (or the ocean), but it also takes less energy to produce. Recycling these single-use plastics dramatically decreases greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing virgin polyester. Both petroleum and water usage are also significantly decreased during the production of Recycled Polyester.
Tencel Modal fibers are extracted from naturally grown beech wood by an environmentally responsible integrated pulp-to-fiber process, which is self-sufficient in energy and recovers co-products from component parts of the wood. In fact, Tencel Modal’s eco-responsible production process earned the EU Ecolabel for environmental excellence.
The flexible Tencel Modal fiber is renowned for its exceptional softness and durability. The best part is, because it’s composed of natural material, all these fibers are biodegradable and compostable, and they can fully revert to nature.
Elastane, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber known for its give/spring, (it’s what gives these garments the memory to hold their shape). The base material used to make Elastane is polyurethane. Plastic. The truth is that overall, Elastane has a negative impact on the environment. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current elastane to a recycled elastane. This is currently not an option that is available for us, but we are hoping that one day soon, it will be.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a Brushed Sweater Knit item ends up in a landfill the Tencel Modal portion would take approximately 4 - 8 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions. However, the Elastane and Recycled Polyester portion will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
GARMENT CARE Machine washable. The best way to keep this fabric in shape is to wash it inside out. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. Rather than washing/dry cleaning your sweaters, consider using a non-toxic sweater spray to freshen and deodorize between wears. Keep in mind all sweaters pill, no matter what. The easiest way to keep them looking fresh is to use a sweater stone or shaver to remove the pills.
IMPACT SCORE B+
WHAT WE LOVE It’s the more sustainable alternative to cashmere and just as soft (if not softer). Our Baby Alpaca has a low carbon footprint because the yarn goes from farm to garment all in Peru. Not only does that help support indigenous communities, but it also minimizes supply chain pollution from transportation.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We add a small amount of synthetic fibers to our sweater fabric. They are added to make the yarns more affordable, and in turn keep the final cost of the garment reasonable.
Baby Alpaca wool is the fiber we use to create our sweaters. It’s sustainable, natural, and just as soft as cashmere-if not softer.
The name Baby Alpaca refers to the fineness of the fiber, not the age of the animal. It comes from the underside of the neck of an alpaca, where the wool is the softest. Baby Alpaca has a hollow core which traps air inside. So, it’s breathable and provides great insulation. It warms up quickly and stays warm longer (which is exactly what you want in a sweater). Baby Alpaca fibers are soft, durable, and hypoallergenic (less itchy).
Why is Alpaca better than cashmere? Cashmere goats destroy the terrain through overgrazing, while alpacas do not. The overgrazing then causes damage to the land (it's called desertification), making it so that nothing can grow. Overgrazed land releases carbon into the environment causing less rain to fall in the region, thus perpetuating the desertification process. Alpacas, on the other hand, replenish the land when they graze. They don’t overgraze and their droppings act as a fertilizer to keep their land healthy and happy. They also produce more fluff. A single alpaca can yield enough wool to make about four sweaters in one year, while it takes five goats an entire year to produce enough cashmere for one sweater. To put it simply, fewer alpacas do less environmental damage and produce a better result.
The indigenous people of the Andes have been caring for alpacas for thousands of years and by choosing Peruvian Baby Alpaca for our sweaters we are further preserving a tradition that provides income to many artisans and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are always met. Alpacas are never harmed during the shearing process (which happens once a year), and in fact alpacas depend on their human caretakers to shear them every year to ensure that they do not overheat during the summer months.
Because our production partners are local, our Baby Alpaca pieces have a low carbon footprint because the yarn goes from farm to garment all in Peru. This minimizes supply chain pollution from transportation.
LANDFILL LIFETIME Baby Alpaca will take between 1- 5 years to biodegrade depending on the color and treatment of the yarn. However, the synthetic portion of the garment will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
GARMENT CARE We recommend using an environmentally friendly dry cleaner to handle your Baby Alpaca sweaters, as handwashing or submerging them in water will cause shrinkage. As with any sweater Alpaca can pill. It isn't uncommon to notice this the most in areas where there is friction created by fabric rubbing against fabric. Using a sweater stone (we love this one) can easily refresh your Baby Alpaca clothing.
IMPACT SCORE B
WHAT WE LOVE Lyocell is derived from the wood pulp of the eco-friendly eucalyptus plant. Not only does it take less water than cotton to produce, but it’s manufactured using a closed loop system. That eliminates chemical pollution and waste.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We know there are more sustainable ways of sourcing this fabric, and in the future, we hope to make the switch.
This eco-friendly alternative to cotton is the midweight fabric we use to make our collection of soft suiting.
Lyocell is a natural, cellulose fiber derived from the wood pulp of the eucalyptus plant. The result is a wonderfully soft fabric with a beautiful drape that is airy and breathable.
Because eucalyptus doesn’t need much water, any pesticides, or even healthy soil, it's a very environmentally friendly crop. Manufacturing Lyocell also takes less water to produce than cotton. During the production process, any chemicals used to treat the wood pulp are recovered and recycled in a closed loop system. This means these solvents are not dumped into the environment, and there is less waste. Additionally, Lyocell uses non-toxic solvents which makes any emissions from production significantly lower than other man-made fibers.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Lyocell item ends up in a landfill it would take anywhere from 3 to 4 months biodegrade depending on soil conditions in the landfill.
GARMENT CARE This is the best part. No dry cleaning necessary, just throw in the machine with like colors and tumble dry on low heat (or lay flat to save energy) whenever you need to refresh.
IMPACT SCORE B-
WHAT WE LOVE Our sustainably dyed Double Gauze garments are produced in downtown Los Angeles within a 10-mile radius of our warehouse. The local production chain directly benefits our community.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE We have limited traceability on this fabric. That means we don’t know exactly where the cotton is grown and how it is harvested.
Our lightweight Double Gauze fabric is made from two layers of 100% fine cotton gauze tacked together at regular intervals to create a wrinkled texture. Perfect for packing…
We know that the cotton used to make our Double Gauze fabric is milled in China. The truth is that unfortunately, we have limited traceability on this fabric. That means we don’t know exactly where the cotton is grown and how it is harvested. Because of the negative environmental impacts of commercial cotton, traceability is important for us. We are currently gathering all of the information available (and researching better options) so that we can make a more informed choice in the future.
We are, however, proud to note that all of the Double Gauze garments in our line are produced within a 10-mile radius of our headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. Our dye house uses low impact dyes vs conventional dyes. Low impact dyes use approximately 25% less water depending on the color and hand finish (i.e., softener/silicone). This localized production chain directly benefits our community.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
GARMENT CARE Wash by hand. We don’t recommend machine washing this fabric, but if you must, use the delicate cycle with cold water and place it inside out in a lingerie bag. (But really, hand washing is the way to go.) Air dry.
IMPACT SCORE C+
WHAT WE LOVE Our sustainably dyed Hammered Satin garments are produced in downtown Los Angeles within a 10-mile radius of our warehouse. The local production chain directly benefits our community.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE Rayon that is not sustainably sourced is bad for the environment and our traceability is limited with this fabric. We are actively looking for alternatives for the future.
This midweight fabric mimics silk and is made from 100% Rayon. We stonewash our Hammered Satin to give it a softer feel.
Rayon is commonly used as a silk substitute. We love it because it has a similar drape and luxe feel. It’s a fiber made from tree wood pulp and considered to be a semi-synthetic due to the chemicals used to create it.
While Rayon is biodegradable and made from a renewable resource, the environmental impact of producing it is still high and traceability is not as easy. The overproduction of Rayon has led to rapid deforestation. Producing Rayon also requires a high concentration of toxic chemicals that pollute the air and water. We know that Rayon can be sustainably sourced, and we are actively looking for a way to make that switch in the future.
We are, however, proud to note that all of the Hammered Satin garments in our line are produced within a 10-mile radius of our headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. This localized production chain directly benefits our community. Our dye house uses low impact dyes vs conventional dyes on these pieces. Low impact dyes use approximately 25% less water depending on the color and hand finish (i.e. softener/silicone), and starting in July 2021 we will be using all organic dyes. This means the same beautiful look of our dyed Hammered Satin without the harmful chemicals.
LANDFILL LIFETIME if a 100% Rayon item ends up in a landfill it would take anywhere from 6 weeks to 20 years to biodegrade depending on soil conditions in the landfill. (Yep, that’s quite a difference. Soil conditions really matter when it comes to Rayon.)
GARMENT CARE Wash by hand or drop at an environmentally friendly dry cleaner as needed. We don’t recommend machine washing this fabric, but if you must, use the delicate cycle with cold water and place it inside out in a lingerie bag. (But really, hand washing is the way to go.) Air dry.
STYLIST TIP to remove wrinkles, a steamer is much gentler on fabric than an iron (just be sure to use distilled water in your steamer, as tap water contains minerals that can leave water spots on your garments).
IMPACT SCORE C+
WHAT WE LOVE Our sustainably dyed Sateen garments are produced in downtown Los Angeles within a 10-mile radius of our warehouse. The local production chain directly benefits our community.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE Viscose that is not sustainably sourced is bad for the environment and our traceability is limited with this fabric. We are actively looking for alternatives for the future.
This smooth, lightweight fabric mimics silk and is made from 100% Viscose.
Viscose is commonly used as a silk substitute. We love it because it has a similar drape and luxe feel. It’s a fiber made from tree wood pulp and considered to be a semi-synthetic due to the chemicals used to create it.
While Viscose is biodegradable and made from a renewable resource, the environmental impact of producing it is still high and traceability is not as easy. The overproduction of Viscose has led to rapid deforestation. Producing Viscose also requires a high concentration of toxic chemicals that pollute the air and water. We know that Viscose can be sustainably sourced, and we are actively looking for a way to make that switch in the future.
We are, however, proud to note that all of the Sateen garments in our line are produced within a 10-mile radius of our headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. This localized production chain directly benefits our community. Our dye house uses low impact dyes vs conventional dyes on these pieces. Low impact dyes use approximately 25% less water depending on the color and hand finish (i.e. softener/silicone), and starting in July 2021 we will be using all organic dyes. This means the same beautiful look of our dyed Sateen without the harmful chemicals.
LANDFILL LIFETIME If a 100% Viscose item ends up in a landfill it would take anywhere from 6 weeks to 20 years to biodegrade depending on soil conditions in the landfill. (Yep, that’s quite a difference. Soil conditions really matter when it comes to Viscose.)
GARMENT CARE Wash by hand or drop at an environmentally friendly dry cleaner as needed. We don’t recommend machine washing this fabric, but if you must, use the delicate cycle with cold water and place it inside out in a lingerie bag. (But really, hand washing is the way to go.) Air dry.
STYLIST TIP To remove wrinkles, a steamer is much gentler on fabric than an iron (just be sure to use distilled water in your steamer, as tap water contains minerals that can leave water spots on your garments).
All of the peruvian cotton we use is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut, and sewn into garments locally.
We produce approximately 85% of our clothing in Peru, utilizing a vertical manufacturing process with our partner, WTS. All of the cotton we use is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). This local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standards.
Our choice to produce in Peru is based on the fact that Pima Cotton is native to Peru. This fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
When it comes to prints, the environmentally conscious choice is digital printing. All of our fabric printing is done digitally with pigment ink. Digital fabric printing has 95% less waste, uses 60% less water, and 55% less chemicals than traditional rotary printing methods. The pigment ink we use can go straight into a finishing process with almost no water consumption. Other printing methods require washing (high water consumption) and steaming (high electrical consumption) before finishing. Printing digitally reduces water usage by up to 60% and electrical usage by up to 30%.
