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