Textile Exchange: T-shirts to support farmers

Textile Exchange has partnered with ethical clothing leaders Mantis World and Gossypium to produce its first limited-edition T-shirt collection for men, women, and children (pictures). Funds raised from the purchase of this t-shirt will help provide funding for farmers to attend the 2011 Textile Exchange Global Conference in Barcelona this September, according to PR Web. “We think the organic cotton T-shirt is a perfect way to connect our cause, raise awareness from field to street, and include consumers in directly supporting organic cotton agriculture,” said Liesl Truscott, Farm Engagement Director, Textile Exchange.

Textile Exchange works to improve the lives of cotton farmers by supporting the expansion of organic cotton production and markets. But the non-profit has to find the funds to finance farmers’ travel and accommodation, to enable farmers’ face-to-face participation in global networking and business-building opportunities. “We know coming to our conferences can take farmers to a completely new level of connection to market and business awareness. With the proceeds from our first T-shirt project, we hope to get at least ten small-scale farmers from Africa, India, and Latin America to Barcelona this year,” said Truscott.

The largest global meeting of textile brands and retailers with an increasing number of manufacturers, the Textile Exchange annual conference provides a fantastic opportunity for people within the Industry to meet, get to know each other, and transact business, as well as learn about more sustainable textile products and processes. This opportunity to connect has resulted in many long-term business relationships. By making farmers a part of the stakeholder discussions and allowing them to see for themselves where their organic fiber ends up, future trade relations are improved and mutual understanding and respect is built between growers and retailers.

The Support a Farmer fundraising T-shirt is the result of an innovative collaboration of the textile supply chain and friends in the industry. The artwork was designed by Gossypium, the independent, ethical clothing brand based in Lewes, United Kingdom. The Global Organic Textile Standard-certified organic T-shirt was ethically produced by Mantis World in their award-winning Tanzania factory from locally grown organic cotton, ensuring that the local economy gets the most value. The limited edition T-shirt comes in sizes for men, women and children, with a special discount for students.

PR Web