What does it mean to be a sustainable, eco.friendly fashion brand?
From the birth of PERI - pure eco rag industry, the primary foundation of the brand, has always been sustainability and eco.friendly design and production. It is a journey that continues, as the industry catches up and the consumer demands it. Below are the fabrics we use and other facts to guide you on your way to becoming part of the eco.fashion revolution!
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming. All cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown. (www.ota.com)
There is a plethora of fabric sitting in warehouses in the fashion district. Why? Well because some of these larger design houses over buy; whether accidentally or because their customer cancels an order on them...big bummer!
Therefore, they sell it off to make back some of their loss. These beautiful silks, wools, knits, prints sit there getting dusty, UNTIL smaller design houses buy it up. This is what we call in the "Eco Fashion" world Reclaimed Fabric. By utilizing this existing fabric we reduce waste and use less of the Earth's precious resources while still producing great style!
Tencel is also known as Eco Cashmere for its peachy, buttery soft hand and drape.
Tencel is made from wood pulp cellulose (usually birch or oak), also known as lyocell. Lyocell is produced in a solvent spinning process that is organic, sustainable and uniquely revolutionary.
The only current lyocell manufacturer in the United States is Lenzing Fibers, and the company markets the product under the trademarked brand name Tencel as a soft, absorbent, durable, versatile, and eco-friendly fiber. Within the solvent spinning process that produces Tencel®, a closed loop circuit recovers, purifies and reuses the solvent up to 99.5 percent, yielding very little byproduct.
This environmentally conscious process, which is also 100 percent organic since the basis is a natural raw material, has been on the receiving end of numerous awards, including the "European Award for the Environment" by the European Union. (www.wisegeek.com)
Cupro is recovered from the cotton linter (ultrafine, silky fibers that stick to the seeds of the cotton plant after it is ginned), cupro by Japan's Asahi Kasei, handles like rayon but breathes and helps to regulate body temperature like cotton. Used as a silk substitute because if it's "coolness, moisture absorbency and release comfort functionality" http://www.ecouterre.com