People Tree and Really Cool Fabric

People Tree arrived today, and it's super darling.  I started to do a little reading about the fabrics, and it got even more darling.  The dress in particular (which I think is yummy like a sherbet ice cream cone), is made of hand loomed organic cotton.  So I wanted to break down what that mean for my own edification.  

First off, People Tree sources GOTS (Global Organic Certified Cotton) organic cotton, and uses all low impact dyes.  Their goal is to make as little damage to the environment as possible which seems like a pretty good idea since the environment seems to be dying a slow death.  I can't say it better than they can, so here is what the use of organic cotton actually does from a, "how does it help" standpoint:

So that's the cool organic cotton aspect.  Then, the second cool thing is that the cotton is then hand loomed.  What does that mean?  Instead of being loomed by a power loom (i.e. machine), people do it by hand, preserving the traditions passed down by generations of hand looming artists.   Hand looming provides 9 times the labor to produce the same amount of fabric, which means there are more jobs for people to feed their families and continue their livelihoods. People Tree works with producer groups to ensure that people are paid fairly for their work, and it in turn helps many, many people climb out of poverty and continue the skill set passed on by generations. It's a super cool concept to think that someone, an actual person, wove the fabric you're wearing.  There is a special energy and uniqueness about something made by hand.  

I'm so impressed with the commitment People Tree has made to the environment and to humanity in each and every choice they've made along the way from design to production.  They prove that fashion CAN be done right--with care and concern first and foremost for the planet and then respect for the people who live on it.  

Lastly, the people who actually run the company are awesome (but the Brits are always cool right?), and their mindset and dedication to their mission is inspiring.  It's a company I feel SO good supporting!

Signed, ME {lv}