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Article #191: An Ethical Clothing Company Story

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It may sound like a talkative monkey, but factories ourselves?. They have also set
Gossypium is something even stranger- a up an education fund linked to the
clothing company that puts farmers first. garments, each item stitched means more
Their name comes from the Latin for money to buy books for local schools.
cotton, and expresses their unexpected Gossypium has its own fashion and print
belief that the way clothes are made is as designer who adds a fresh edge to the
important as how they look. All their ethical and environmentally conscious
clothes are made from 100% organic Indian company. Their yoga collection is
cotton woven on handlooms to prevent particularly popular because wearers know
wasting energy and the build up of cloth they are helping others while they reach
mountains and without the use of any GM their higher plane! The collection is
seeds. already stocked in 30 shops throughout the
The cotton they use is grown by farmers UK. Its growing fast and is very popular,
supported by the Agrocel farmers centre. says Tom.
Based in Gujerat, Agrocel helps farmers Their childrens clothes are perfect for
grow their crops completely organically sensitive babies and their sensitive
with technical advice, support and regular parents who prefer not to wrap their
visits. The 60 farmers are paid a fair, offspring in chemicals, and the
above market price for their produce, and hardwearing material withstands the games
have a long-term sustainable relationship of the most robust kids. For adults the
with the company. emphasis is on simplicity and comfort, but
Abigail Garner, a director of the company, never at the expense of fit or style. We
set up the first clothing collection for especially like their slash neck tops and
Traidcraft and knew how important it was strappy vests.
to treat not just the farmers well, but Gossypium is bent on not just altering the
the earth too. Instead of chemical fashion industry but turning it on its
colours, Gossypium uses vegetable dyes, a head to give power to the producers.
time-consuming but high quality Because of this, all profits are shared
alternative. No waxes or chemical between Agrocel and the design/sales part
treatments are used to spin the cotton. of the company. The aim is to get as many
The clothes are stitched in India and farmers into Agrocel as possible, giving
Gossypium is working towards total them the freedom to work without
transparency and independent monitoring. endangering themselves with pesticides and
Thomas Petit, a company director explains to be paid fairly for their work. The
that in the meantime they visit the unique combination of ethics and style
factories themselves, We try and use the will ensure pretty soon everyone will be
same factories as fair trade organisations talking about Gossypium.
use. Where this isnt possible we visit the Looking for ethical companies ?






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