What makes this product sustainable?
At Eugenie, we do the research to make it easy for you to find products that you can feel good about purchasing, using, and wearing.
Each new designer we work with starts with a conversation about sustainability and how it relates to their brand and products.
Sustainability can mean many different things, we tried to break it down for you in a way that is easy to understand.
Natural Materials
Alabama Chanin uses organic cotton that is fully grown and processed from field to final product in the USA. They specifically source this organic cotton solely from a USA co-op called the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC). This co-op tracks each cotton bale straight from field to customer, which allows Alabama Chanin the ability to know exactly from who and where their cotton was grown and picked.
Through non-toxic and minimal intervention growing techniques, organic cotton farming has the potential to significantly reduce the potential for global warming, soil erosion, and energy waste compared to conventional methods.
Carbon Footprint
This brand uses Texas-grown organic cotton that is processed, spun, knit, and dyed in North and South Carolina. The fabric is then sent over to artisans in Florence, Alabama to be crafted into sustainable apparel. By keeping their production so close to home, Alabama Chanin is continually working to reduce their carbon footprint.
Low Waste
This brand is part of the slow design movement, which values products beyond the typical fashion industry seasons. A piece from Alabama Chanin is made to be timeless and worn for a lifetime, which enables their community to build an intentional waste-less wardrobe.
Alabama Chanin prioritizes waste reduction by practicing lean method manufacturing, made-to-order production, and material repurposing whenever possible.
People
Alabama Chanin’s commitment to sustainable fashion extends beyond their own apparel and into the educational work they do through The School of Making. This program offers workshops, tutorials, and kits around repurposing and upcycling textiles online and in-person to empower their community.