Patagonia Will Be the First Fair Trade-Certified International Clothing Brand

The following comes from the website complex.com, written by Matt Welty | Oct 25, 2013

Patagonia is known for making clothing that looks great but also performs to the highest standards in outdoors activities. The California brand is also about to be known for something a with much larger impact. Patagonia is going to be the first large-scale, international clothing brand that is Fair Trade-certified.

Starting in 2014, Patagonia will sell nine models that have been approved  as Fair Trade. This means that every aspect of the product's manufacturing process—from growth of the materials to completion of the final product—will be done by people who have been adequately compensated for their services.

In a recent article by Triple Pundit, Cara Chacon, Director of Social and Environmental Responsibility for Patagonia, said, “We are also empowering the people purchasing our products. This effort is part of a larger strategy to raise awareness with our customers on how they can make a difference in the world with their purchasing decisions.”

Patagonia aims to show respect and transparency not only towards those who are making the goods, but the consumers who make the purchase. And the brand realizes that the consumer wants a product they're not going to feel like shit for purchasing and wearing.

Too many times, buying clothing comes with the mentality, "Out of sight, out of mind." But you'll now be able to wear your down jacket without a heavy conscience, knowing that everyone involved in the complex, global process of creating the garment is being compensated fairly.

[via Triple Pundit]

Protect Our Winters with the DCP Community Carbon Trees Tee

Everyone needs a good t-shirt in their arsenal of clothing. So why not support a great cause all while rocking a shirt that you’ll actually wear?

The DCP Tree Tee from Protect our Winters is a 100% organic cotton shirt made with soy based inks featuring original artwork by Costa Rican artist Matt Healer. What makes the deal sweet, the fact that 100% of the proceeds from each shirt goes towards DCP’s Costa Rican tree planting project, Community Carbon Trees.

You can snag this one-of-a-kind shirt though POW’s retail partnership with Tactics.com

Price: $24.95

[via snowboardmag.com]

FreshStart Brands Creates Strategic Relationship with Protect Our Winters

PRLog.com (Press Release) - May 7, 2013 - COPAKE, N.Y. -- 7 May, 2013 – FreshStart Brands™ shares their on-going global mission of raising money and awareness for meaningful causes with Protect Our Winters. Protect Our Winters (POW) was launched in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, who witnessed first-hand the effects of climate change on the winter sports and recreation industries.  This interesting partnership has launched to unite the socially charged forces of inspirational artists with inspirational environmental advocates. 

FreshStart Apparel has released two new designs by FreshStart artists Liane Torre and Karen Sung in support of Protect Our Winters mission.  The sale of these new additions to the FreshStart portfolio will support the Protect Our Winters Community; FreshStart will donate $5 to this community for each garment sold. The first of these designs, “Skier” is available in mens/unisex tee shirts, sizes S – XXL and ladies fitted tee shirts size XS – XL.  Also, the second design “Snowboarder” is featured on mens/unisex long sleeve tee shirts in sizes S – XXL.

FreshStart Brands™ President Adam Reznikoff stated, “We are thrilled to work with such a dynamic, action-oriented group and to help spread their message globally,” Reznikoff continues, “I’m a huge winter sports fan myself, and it’s awesome for an early-stage organization like FreshStart Brands™ to collaborate with an established one like Protect Our Winters, founded by a professional athlete.  POW has received a tremendous amount of support from the winter sports community and we’re excited to contribute to their mission.” 

“Thank you to Fresh Start Brands for their support of Protect Our Winters.  We’re always humbled when early stage companies support us because supporting the environment is part of their long term growth strategy, and we truly appreciate that”, said Chris Steinkamp, POW’s Executive Director.

Both organizations, FreshStart Brands™ and Protect Our Winters share a desire to make the world a better place.  With succinct visions to embrace new opportunities and partnerships, they keep their respective missions alive in their communities while reaching new audiences and potential supporters, as well.

To learn more about the FreshStart and the Protect Our Winters collaboration, please visit:http://freshstartbrands.com/cause/protect-our-winters/

About FreshStart Brands (freshstartbrands.com)

FreshStart Brands supports the dreams and aspirations of individuals, communities and organizations, locally, nationally and around the globe through the collaborative development, production, distribution and promotion of our products and services.

We work actively with a growing number of charitable organizations to promote awareness and raise money for socially and environmentally conscious causes and believe in a culture that measures success by impact as well as growth; that leads by example in allocating assets and sustainable resources.

About FreshStart Apparel

FreshStart Apparel™ is a collaborative effort of FreshStart Brands™, our artists and the charitable organizations we support, to raise money and awareness for worthwhile causes while providing income and exposure for independent artists. 

About Protect Our Winters (protectourwinters.org/)

Protect Our Winters is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united towards a common goal of reducing climate change's effects on our sport and local mountain communities. With over 50,000 supporters worldwide, POW re-invests contributions in educational initiatives, activism and supporting community-based initiatives that have tangible results. For more information, visit protectourwinters.org. 

Contact info

FreshStart Brands, LLC

518.303.6353

info@freshstartbrands.com

www.freshstartbrands.com

Protect Our Winters

310.909.7941

info@protectourwinters.org

www.protectourwinters.org

Unifi’s REPREVE® Brand is First-Time Sponsor of X Games Aspen, Elena Hight Teams Up with REPREVE

GREENSBORO, N.C. – January 9, 2013 – Unifi, Inc. (NYSE:UFI), makers of the REPREVE® brand of fibers, announces that REPREVE will be a first-time sponsor of X Games Aspen, which will take place Jan. 24 to 27, 2013. As the proud recycling sponsor of X Games Aspen 2013, the goal is to raise awareness about the significance of recycling plastic bottles and choosing REPREVE-based products. REPREVE is made from recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles, and is an essential ingredient that makes fabrics and garments sustainable.

To help drive awareness, Elena Hight has teamed up with the REPREVE brand to help promote a greener lifestyle. Hight is best known for her progressive riding style and is a decorated X Games Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe medalist. As brand ambassador, Hight will help promote the importance of recycling and choosing products made with REPREVE.

“The X Games is an ideal event to showcase REPREVE, because the recycled fiber goes into many winter sports-related brands including Patagonia, The North Face and Polartec-based products,” said Roger Berrier, President and chief operating officer of Unifi, Inc. “Together with Elena Hight and the X Games, we have a special opportunity to educate consumers on the importance of recycling and the innovative products produced from recycled plastics, providing consumers a new way to lighten their impact on the environment.”

“The environment plays such an important role in winter sports and we can help make a difference by recycling and choosing products made with REPREVE,” said Elena Hight. “Not many people know that REPREVE is a recycled ingredient that makes so many of the clothes we buy eco-friendly. It’s really cool to know that the bottles we recycle at X Games Aspen could actually end up in my clothes.”

Through the REPREVE Facebook page, the REPREVE brand is asking consumers to recycle more by pledging to recycle 100,000 plastic bottles during the X Games. Onsite, thousands of REPREVE beanies will be given away to encourage fans to wear recycled. If they get caught wearing REPREVE, fans can win REPREVE-based prizes.

As part of Hight’s collaboration with the REPREVE brand, she will be featured in a television advertisement showcasing the REPREVE brand fiber on ESPN during X Games Aspen. She will also be available at the REPREVE booth Sunday, Jan. 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for photo opportunities with fans. 

For more information on REPREVE, please visit the all new REPREVE website www.repreve.com, or visit the REPREVE Facebook page www.facebook.com/repreve. To learn more about REPREVE onsite at the X Games, please visit the REPREVE booth.

-more-

About Elena Hight:

Elena Hight is one of professional snowboarding’s shining stars. At age 23, she is a two-time Olympian and a multi-X Games medalist in snowboard halfpipe. In 2002, Hight became the first woman to land a 900 in competition at the young age of 13. In Spring 2012, she landed the first ever double backside alley-oop rodeo in a halfpipe by a woman. Today she is on track to be a gold medal contender in Sochi in 2014. In addition to snowboarding professionally, living an active, healthy lifestyle, sports and the outdoors have always been a priority of Hight’s. Surfing and cooking are two passions in her life. Her personality is often described as the all-American girl next door with an incredible athletic talent.

About REPREVE:

REPREVE® brand products are made from recycled materials, including pre-consumer manufacturing waste and post-consumer plastic bottles. REPREVE is an essential ingredient that makes fabrics and products containing REPREVE fiber sustainable. REPREVE can be found throughout many products, ranging from apparel to office furnishings, and even socks. It is also used in industrial, automotive and medical applications. REPREVE has been adopted by some of the world’s leading brands and retailers, including Patagonia, The North Face, Haggar and Ford. REPREVE is made by a publicly-held U.S. based company, Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI). For more information about REPREVE, visitwww.repreve.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

About Unifi:

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI) is a diversified producer and processor of multi-filament polyester and nylon textured yarns and related raw materials. The Company adds value to the supply chain and enhances consumer demand for its products through the development and introduction of branded yarns that provide unique performance, comfort and aesthetic advantages. Key Unifi brands include, but are not limited to: AIO® - all-in-one performance yarns, SORBTEK®, A.M.Y.®, MYNX® UV, REPREVE®, REFLEXX®, MICROVISTA® and SATURA®. Unifi's yarns and brands are readily found in home furnishings, apparel, legwear, and sewing thread, as well as industrial, automotive, military, and medical applications. For more information about Unifi, visitwww.unifi.com, or to learn more about REPREVE®, visitwww.repreve.com.

For More Information Contact:

Jennifer Whisnant (on behalf of REPREVE)

jwhisnant@quixotegroup.com

Office: 336-544-2418

Cell: 336-908-5641

Or

Melissa Gullotti (on behalf of Elena)

mgullotti@gmail.com

802-236-9349

Teko Socks - Best Socks On The Planet. Best Socks For The Planet

Teko Socks is all about the idea of making premium performance outdoor socks with the least possible environmental impact.

Originally from Boulder, they are very careful about their footprint and still try to reduce it in every step of production. From product sourcing through production and packaging, to delivery.

Teko approaches sustainability as a balancing act. A major element of our commitment is constant research of new materials and production techniques to make that footprint smaller. Teko is 100% wind-powered at the office and the factory. Carbon offsets are purchased for staff travel. (Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX))

All materials except the merino wool are sourced within 200 miles of our factory in North Carolina, minimizing the impact of energy used in our shipping.

The organic merino wool comes from Argentina from a group of farms that have been raising sheep organically for decades. Only non-motorized methods are used to herd the sheep. They are fed only organically-grown food and are not subjected to hormones, vaccinations, mulesing, or chemical drenches. Their grazing area is never sprayed with pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Strict water conservation methods are employed, as are protections against overgrazing. Organic merino wool is substantially more expensive than the non-organic alternative, but Teko believes the investment is worth it, both for consumers and the planet.

Teko's recycled tekoPOLY fiber is made from 100% post-consumer waste, like plastic bottles.

The chlorine-free process used to make tekoMERINO machine washable and shrink-proof, is the only Bluesign® certified shrink-proofing process currently available for wool.

No allergens, carcinogens, heavy metals or formaldehyde are used in their dyes. OekoTex 100 certification.

Teko is also the official licensed sock of the Freeride World Tour.

story by http://greenroomvoice.com/

TwoThirds - a surf-inspired street label that donates 10% of profits to ocean conservation groups

Two-thirds of our planet is covered by ocean, yet despite the efforts of leading oceanographers, we still know more about the Moon’s craggy surface than the jaguar sharks that patrol the ocean’s floor.

Our exploration of the ocean’s depths may be moving at an underwater pace, but our destruction of it is, as you can imagine, unimaginable.

Enter TwoThirds, a surf-inspired street label out of Spain that donates 10% of profits to ocean conservation groups, and which was recently named an essential designer of 2012 by GQ.

As with many high-end green (or in this case, blue) brands, it’s all too easy to focus exclusively on TwoThird’s sustainable fabrics and philanthropic endeavors.

But cast aside the organic materials and packaging that dissolves in water, and what remains is a timeless brand with clean lines, one you’ll likely be hearing a lot more about in 2012.

CauseTee - bringing artists and charities together to change lives

Each week a new artist paints, draws, designs. 

Each week a new charity is chosen. 

Each week new lives are changed.

Coming soon is CauseTee, a company looking for passionate artists who want to make a difference with their work. CauseTee will be partnering with charities and other non-profits who want to spread their message and help raise awareness for their cause. Check out their site (http://causetee.org/) and sign up for their email list and follow them on twitter and facebook!

Also if you are interested in designing with CauseTee, please fill out their Artist Application and email it to artists@causetee.org. If you're a charity then fill out their Charity Application and email it to charities@causetee.com.

BURTON SNOWBOARDS & MOUNTAIN DEW ANNOUNCE NEW SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP AND LAUNCH T-SHIRTS MADE FROM RECYCLED BOTTLES

Last November Burton Snowboards and Mountain Dew announced a new partnership focused on improving sustainability in apparel and outerwear. Specifically, for the 2012 and 2013 product seasons, the two brands are working together to change the way outerwear and apparel are made, by creating sustainable fabrics out of recycled plastic bottles and implementing this material into key products within the Burton line.

The first round of products from this partnership was released and features a hand-crafted line of t-shirts made from 50% recycled plastic bottles and 50% organic cotton. Part of Burton’s Green Mountain Project, which is a line of products created with an eco-influence, the limited edition Burton x Mountain Dew tees include three styles, ‘Apparatus’, ‘Flake’, and ‘Chairway to Heaven’. Inspired by a Rube Goldberg drawing, the ‘Apparatus’ style features a drawing of an imaginary machine that is converting plastic bottles into recycled PET pellets, which are ‘snowing’ down into the shape of Burton’s classic mountain logo. The ‘Flake’ model has a simple, bold hand-drawn snowflake with the word ‘Burton’ etched in the center. Finally, the ‘Chairway to Heaven’ tee features a drawing of an empty chairlift intended to depict the peace of the mountains and how much snowboarders depend on nature for their sport. Each t-shirt retails for $27, and the series is available exclusively at Burton US Flagship stores.

This first collection of t-shirts is just a taste of what Burton and Mountain Dew have planned when it comes to integrating recycled plastic bottles into fabric. For future product lines, the brands will continue to increase the number of styles that use this sustainable fabric, with outerwear being the next key focus. Starting in the fall of 2012, Burton will also expand distribution of these products to Burton Authorized Dealers, so local snowboard shops can carry these new, sustainable outerwear and apparel styles.

Professional snowboarder Danny Davis, who rides for both Burton and Mountain Dew, is backing the new sustainability partnership and had this to say, “For me, being a part of the Burton and Mountain Dew project is just a cool way to help the environment, and it’s good to see both companies working together to reduce and reuse some of their materials.”

To see what else Danny has to say about the new Burton and Mountain Dew partnership, head here: http://youtu.be/7YDNZW3CEVY

One Hundred Apparel - donating 100% of profits to creating access to clean water

One Hundred Apparel takes its name from the simple but elegant commitment to donate 100% of its profits to creating access to clean water. The clothing company uses water-based silk screening on their shirts and hoodies, which are known for their softness and fit, and gives them a stylish twist. We’re not talking about itchy tote bags as a token of appreciation for your help, but great t-shirts that you will love wearing, which in turn help create clean water access. A purchase of a t-shirt puts $10 towards a well-building project; for a hoodie, it’s even more, at $16.

One billion people can not count on getting clean water. We want to help. You want to help. One Hundred apparel, which has partnered with the universally-praised charity: water, is a great way to help, and get a cool new t-shirt in the process.

100apparel.org

Holden Joins Forces With Protect Our Winters To Spread Environmental Activism

Holden is proud to announce their new tee shirt collaboration with Protect Our Winters (POW) to be released August 2012. Holden artist John Phemister, aka Goo, has designed a unique collection of tee shirts featuring abstract watercolor art titled “The Four Elements”. All proceeds from this collection will go towards POW’s recently launched Coal Kills Snow coalition. The project is dedicated to shutting down coal mines and spreading education about environmental destruction from mining practices and coal burning. Coal is the number one contributor to global climate change. To stop this, Holden and POW have come together to ensure there is snow to play in for our future generations to come.  Holden X Pow tee shirts will be available at holdenouterwear.com and selected shops.

“Holden is exactly the kind of partner that we love to work with. They understand that business can lead the environmental solution and we’re really excited to focus the proceeds of this partnership on an environmental issue in their backyard, that should be top of mind for all of us”, said Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director of POW.

“Holden continues to seek out ways to improve our process. Working with POW gives us a whole new way to help. While we are doing what we can to make our products better, we can also take action to raise awareness and help stop others who are not making the best choices for the earth with the help of POW”, said Holden CEO, Ben Pruess. “Chris (Steinkamp) and Jeremy (Jones, Founder of POW) have really shown such a passion and made an impact in fight for change. We wanted to support them in the ongoing efforts. At the end this is the

only play round we have and we would like to pass it on.”

About POW

Protect Our Winters (POW) was started in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones who witnessed first-hand the impact of climate change on our mountains. After having been turned away from areas that had once been rideable and seeing resorts closed due to lack of snow, Jeremy saw a gap between the winter sports community and the action being taken by us all to address the problem. 

Snow-based recreation in the United States is estimated to contribute $67 billion annually to the US economy and supports over 600,000 jobs. So when we look at the cost of inaction, it’s serious business. We represent the global snow sports community – there are 21 million of us in the US alone. Clearly, it’s time for us all to step up and take responsibility to save a season that fuels our passions but is also the foundation for our livelihoods, our jobs and the economic vitality of our mountain regions. 

Protect Our Winters is the environmental center point of the global winter sports community, united towards a common goal of reducing climate change’s effects on our sports and local economies. POW was founded on the idea that the collective power of the winter sports community is massive, and if we can all work together, the end result can be revolutionary. Together We Can Protect Our Winters. More information on POW can be found at protectourwinters.orgor by contacting partners@protectourwinters.org

About Holden 

Holden outerwear, is the modern, independent outerwear brand. Timeless quality, market-leading style, innovative ideas, eco-friendlier options and an openness to be yourself— are the principles that set us apart.

Based in Portland, OR and Founded by renowned professional snowboarder Mikey LeBlanc and designer Scott Zergebel, Holden grew out of a desire to bring street fashion to the mountain.  Holden fills the void in the market for progressive aesthetics and companies with a conscience.

2012 marks the 10 year anniversary of Holden widely recognized leader in style trends, fabric and technical innovations, and environmentally committed outerwear.  From inception, Holden has sought a singular goal: creating products that make people happier and healthier in the pursuit of a life well led.

Thank you for being you. holdenouterwear.com.

story by transworld business