Is Eco-friendly Apparel Here to Stay? What are the Latest Trends?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on April 20, 2010 at 1:55pm

I don't know too much about this so I can't say. One concern is companies using the term "eco friendly' but not living up to it.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie MW Marriott on April 20, 2010 at 2:58pm

Yes, I agree. I am doing everything to make sure my company, lives up to the standards of what we say. I want to fly to the factory producing our shirts to make sure everything is what they say. Sometimes it is difficult if they tell you one thing and then later you find out they were just telling you what you wanted to hear. I think people's overall outlook on preserving the environment is changing for good.

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Permalink Reply by Mike10613 on April 20, 2010 at 2:46pm

It depends on your point of view, some people would prefer a Bhopal style chemical factory in their neighbourhood producing polyester and synthetics rather than a a fur farm which would be more natural; even though most fur farms are run inhumanely. One of my friends was attacked outside church for wearing fur by a woman wearing leather. I think you have to take a sensible and balanced view. Extremists on both sides of the argument are unbalanced and prejudiced.

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Permalink Reply by Eugene on April 20, 2010 at 7:44pm

I absolutely believe that the world is becoming more eco-conscious, and that includes clothing companies. This trend is here to stay and will only get stronger.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie MW Marriott on April 20, 2010 at 10:42pm

I think so too. This is why my new company is focusing on eco-apparel but the users will create the designs. Hey Eugene my new start-up makes Bamboo/Organic cotton fitted t-shirts, where users go online and create and submit their design. People vote on the best designs. The top 5 girls designs and the top 5 guys designs will get made in limited edition runs of 500. The designers make 10% commission on every shirt sold and get their name incorporated into the logo on the back of the neck. So they can make up to 2200 USD if their design is chosen. Is there anywhere I can post this to allow designers from MET to come to my website S2S Nation?
Thanks, Jamie

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Permalink Reply by Mike10613 on April 21, 2010 at 1:42am

Hi Jamie,

I would buy clothes made from organic cotton if the price was reasonable and maybe even pay a premium price for quality and style. There is a place in Russia, or the former Soviet bloc somewhere where they grow cotton. The amount of artificial fertiliser used has poisoned the river. The people rely on the river for water and food as they eat fresh fish; they are getting very sick and dying from the pollution. Cotton isn't always eco-friendly. Your marketing has to take that into account and inform the customer of the difference between cotton grown in that way and cotton grown organically. Even cotton grown organically can cause pollution; but that is a complex subject and more research needs to be done into that by organic chemists.

I have a problem with knitwear too. A hand knitted sweater is stylish and comfortable but requires a lot more care than knitwear from synthetics if wool is used. Wool is obviously more environmentally friendly. It is often mixed with other organic materials and that can improve the yarn used for knitting. I would like to see more knitwear like that. I have seen a lot recently that is not only cheap and lacks style, the colours are simply not the sort of thing I wear. They don't sell very well and are quickly reduced in price to sell the stock off. I think in some low wage countries they have a different attitude to colour. People come to England from overseas and paint their houses in very bright colours and they don't blend in to the neighbourhood any more. It can mean a big drop in property values. I took a photograph not long ago and didn't notice in the background was a semi detached house. Each occupier had painted their house in a different colour! They were very bright too and not in keeping with the area! Not everyone goes for T-shirts with printing on the front either. I think I own one and that is worn rarely.

Jamie if you have a start up going and need to network with distributors and other people in business then contact me privately. I may be able to help, I network a lot.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie MW Marriott on April 21, 2010 at 12:21pm

Thanks for the reply. Very informative. Our shirts will be made with Organically grown cotton and Bamboo fibers. The shirt designs will be col and not too crazy, not all anyways. We are emphasizing style, not how many colors you can fit on the shirts. I will definitely keep in mind the distribution. Our shirts right now will be sold exclusively online initially. We'll see about branching out after a bit. But I will definitely be in contact. I know a lot about the cotton and pesticides as wel, as I am a Biology Prof. also. cheers Jamie

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Permalink Reply by sAm on April 21, 2010 at 1:33pm

What a great concept, it's like threadless t-shirts with more design and earth friendly materials in mind. I truly believe the way things are headed that if you give people an opportunity to choose to be eco friendly, they will. Everyone wants an opportunity to do their part.
Great concept Jamie, I know your venture will be a huge success. It's just a matter of making people aware that it exists.
Just a side question, will there be any difference in the way a consumer would care for these clothes? i.e. wash vs dry clean etc.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie MW Marriott on April 22, 2010 at 11:10am

Thanks for the comment Sam. Ya I actually had thought about the concept awhile ago, but didn't really focus on it till this year and last. Then I discovered Threadless and few other sites were doing something similar. We will have quite a few different things as well, like specific contests for DJ and Musician contest winners, as we will have video on the site as well. Plus the shirts are eco-friendly and limited edition. The shirts will be much nicer than the cheap normal t-shirts. The materials are easier to take care of because the bamboo fiber is much stronger, so the shirt will last longer as well. So you don't have to worry about any special way to take care of the shirts. Please let people know that would be interested in fashion or graphic design. Thanks for your comment. Cheers Jamie

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