NATURAL FIBRES — PART 1: OUR ORGANIC COTTON
Hello!
This week, I’d like to start talking about the fabrics and materials we use in our garments, and why these choices matter at SWENN.
Before becoming a SWENN garment, the material has already been on quite a journey, so I want to begin this series on natural fibres, starting with the organic cotton we use for our printed t-shirts and sweatshirts.
WHY ORGANIC COTTON?
There has been a shift in the fashion industry that follows an increase in natural fibers used in garments over synthetic material. Cotton is a natural, plant-based fibre known for its breathability, softness and durability — qualities that make it particularly well suited to everyday garments like t-shirts and sweatshirts.
At SWENN, we choose organic cotton for our printed styles because we care about knowing where our materials come from and favouring more responsible options whenever we can.
This is where certifications like GOTS comes in.
WHAT DOES GOTS MEAN?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, an internationally recognized standard for textiles made with organic fibres.
Organic cotton is grown according to specific agricultural standards that restrict the use of synthetic herbicides and other chemical inputs. The dyeing, processing and treatment of the raw material must also meet specific requirements for a textile product to be certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard.
What makes GOTS particularly interesting is that it goes beyond the organic fibre itself. It assesses the different stages of textile processing including environmental and social criteria. These criteria are designed to promote fair and safe working conditions for the people involved in certified stages of production.
GOTS isn’t only about choosing organic cotton. It also gives us, SWENN, a greater transparency about how that cotton is handled and transformed along the way.
If you’d like to learn more about what GOTS certification covers, you can visit the Global Organic Textile Standard website directly.
FROM MEXICO TO NEW YORK
For our printed t-shirts and sweatshirts, we work with a manufacturer based in New York State that produces its garments in the United States.
The certified organic cotton yarn used for these pieces comes from Mexico. From there, it is turned into fabric in the U.S., then cut and sewn into the t-shirts and sweatshirts we select for SWENN.
We chose this cotton not only because of where it comes from and how it is produced, but also for its quality. It has a particularly soft feel while offering the durability we want from garments designed to be worn, and washed, again and again.
THEN, ON TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Once the garments are made, they make their way to us in Charlottetown, where they truly become SWENN.
Our graphics, inspired by the East Coast, maritime culture, workwear and vintage design, are screen-printed locally here in Prince Edward Island.
Knowing where a material comes from and how a garment is made is part of making more considered choices at SWENN. No textile production is without impact, but we believe in understanding our supply chain, choosing quality materials and keeping production closer to home whenever possible.
This whole story begins and ends with our desire to adapt with our clothing, starting here, with a single thread of cotton.
— Maya
