The Alternative: Organic Cotton

“Organic farming appealed to me because it involved searching for and discovering nature's pathways, as opposed to the formulaic approach of chemical farming. The appeal of organic farming is boundless; this mountain has no top, this river has no end.” 

― Eliot Coleman


The organic story is now broadening far beyond the health benefits of pesticide-free foods. Organic farming, whether it's asparagus or cotton, helps protect Mother Nature - it’s that simple & vital.

At Sui, we have always made clothes with a green heart, we are conscious of our actions and the impact it has on our planet Earth. Cotton is the most popular fabric used in garments around the world, and this thirsty plant takes 2,700 litres of water to make a single shirt, that’s enough water for one person to drink for 2 1/2 years! But organic cotton is 80% rain-fed, which reduces pressure on local water sources. The absence of chemicals also means that water is cleaner and safer. Cotton has reached a global market share of 80% in the textile industry and India is the largest producer of cotton. Organic Cotton (or natural cotton) is the alternative to this rising problem. One acre of organic cotton instead of an acre of conventional cotton reduces CO2 release by two tones a year. Natural cotton not only reduce carbon footprint but also invests in water conservation, cleaner air, improved health, better soil and farmer livelihoods. 

What’s so special about Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemical fertilizers.  It is grown using materials and processes which have a low impact on our environment. Natural cotton is a great eco-friendly fabric, with high moisture absorbent which makes it viable for dying in colours.

Clothes made from organic cotton have the feel of linen without the weight. Since natural kinds of cotton are not chemically stripped of its natural wax, most weaves have a characteristic smoothness and weight which makes the fabric particularly flattering in its drape and in the way it reflects and absorbs light. It is soft, durable and great for the skin.

Where does Sui’s Organic Cotton come from?

We source fabrics like hemp, GOTS certified cotton and other sustainable fabric blends from close networks, which, like us are working to make small differences for a greener world. We procure organic cotton from Herbal Fab and Aura Herbal, both of which are based in Gujarat and source their cotton from Madhya Pradesh. Herbal fab is certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and their mission is to be sustainable and give back to nature what we take from it in the most useful and least harmful forms. Aura Herbal works closely with farmers and crafts natural cotton in high quality. We also work with WomenWeave who provide us with handwoven organic cotton, created sustainably by being handwoven with no machinery used in its production.

How have we used Organic Cotton in our collection?

Organic cotton fabric is our champion, and we have extensively used it in all of our collections. You can find comfort, eco-elegance and a lovely texture in this uber versatile fabric. We have beautifully crafted clothing like our Estate top and trousers, our Del Mare dress and our Flower Child jacket and more created in organic cotton and soon we will be launching more outfits in this relaxed fabric in our next edit. 

How do you care for the fabric?

Natural cotton is easy to care for. Machine wash as per label instructions. Dry organic cotton fabric in the shade to prevent colour from fading. If using the dryer, use Air cycle, no heat. As organic cotton is not treated with chemicals it is more sensitive to heat and more likely to shrink as a result of being washed or dried at higher temperatures, when compared to conventional cotton

 

This farm-raised fabric is not only good for the earth but also good for you. Make it your staple, and embrace the all-natural, handmade, long-lasting outfits to build a greener planet and a strong green heart-er community. Adopt the philosophy of slow clothing, it is a choice of lifestyle which brings meaning, value and joy to every day. Happy weekend green heart-ers!

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