Carl Ludwig and Fiona Su from Fibre for Good have invested their life savings to bring back an ancient variety of cotton from northwest China, in a region located along the Silk Road linking China and the Middle East. The cotton is called Organic Natural Colour Cotton (ONCC) because it literally grows in the same colours it will be when it becomes cloth – so there’s no need to bleach or dye it. The colour intensity of the cloth is entirely up to Mother Nature, which gives the resulting garments a subtly unique ‘marle’ look – and also why they say it comes in ‘shades’ of Winter White, Wheat or Sage. ONCC also benefits from a range of natural properties – naturally anti-static, non-pilling, hypoallergenic and it has an excellent natural UV protection factor. The fabric manufacture uses 80% less water than other processes and of course, zero dyes. It is GOTS certified – grown without using chemicals to control insects and weeds or to add nutrients to the soil. Crops rely on rainwater for irrigation.
Recently, Carl an Fiona launched a range of baby wear, which is available for ordering (wholesale and retail) for a December 2019 delivery.
We sat down with Carl and asked him what inspired him to start the business and he said that while working for a previous employer, Carl saw first hand the environmental ravages of garment production, and felt compelled to do something.
"I DISCOVERED THAT IT TOOK ABOUT 2500 LITRES OF WATER TO PRODUCE ONE TEE SHIRT AND I WAS SHOCKED TO THE CORE. THESE GUYS WERE GOING THROUGH 32 MILLION LITRES OF WATER A WEEK ON ONE STYLE ALONE. THIS WAS SIMPLY NOT SUSTAINABLE. EVER SINCE THEN, I HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO LEARN AND FIND WAYS TO DO THINGS BETTER.” With over 60 years of experience in the retail fashion industry between them added to their passion to deliver quality organic products in the most responsible and sustainable way, Carl and Fiona have taken this cotton and built a certified and sustainable supply chain just the way they wanted, before introducing their first line of products, a baby wear range.
“Our biggest challenge has been to create market awareness around consumerism and what it’s doing to our planet. It’s all about education. Consumers have no idea how they are impacting the planet and by offering alternatives like our ONCC is better for us and better for the planet. We believe this venture is so important that we have pumped our life savings into it.”
When we say Fibre for Good – from Seed to Skin, we mean it. Our products are made only from GOTS certified organic cotton - cotton created purely by Mother Nature - no chemicals, no fertilisers, no toxins, hypoallergenic, 70-80% less water used, perfect for a new born baby's sensitive skin. Farmers, farm workers and workers on the production line must also be looked after as per the key conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Even the swing-tags on our garments must be recycled.
We are currently working on our adult fashion and homewares ranges.