Comments on: SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Del Forte Organic Denim http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/25/sustainable-style-del-forte-organic-denim/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:55:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Abigail Doanhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/25/sustainable-style-del-forte-organic-denim/comment-page-1/#comment-82588 Abigail Doan Mon, 26 May 2008 15:27:56 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/25/sustainable-style-del-forte-organic-denim/#comment-82588 Thanks for the comments and interesting angle on cotton + sustainability. First of all, the jeans pictured at the top of this post are indeed Del Forte Denim. Aren't they great?We totally appreciate your concerns re: the true sustainability of a crop like cotton. This definitely comes up time and time again with Inhabitat readers.I encourage you to read more about the Sustainable Cotton Project - for US-based, locally-sourced, pesticide free and fair trade initiatives involving organic cotton. Although cotton and a lot of agriculture, for that matter, is far from perfect, SCP is a fairly encouraging approach as to how to support farmers and growers whose livelihoods still depend upon this industry. See http://www.sustainablecotton.org/html/growers/growers.htmlI also think that this recent article from GAIAM outlines the issues rather clearly and without greenwashing, per se: http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/How-Eco-Is-Organic-Cotton-The-Facts-on-7-Questions.htmlIt is important to add that if there is a way of supporting US-based farming that is clean and green, we should do so wholeheartedly. Having grown up on a small-family farm that struggled with staying afloat in the 1980's and 90's, it is vital to know that there is support for farmers' efforts to keep our countryside open, green, and free of toxins and unwanted development.Here's to supporting hardworking farmers and small-businesses while also being sustainably cutting edge in the process.Thanks for reading,Abigail @ Inhabitat Thanks for the comments and interesting angle on cotton + sustainability. First of all, the jeans pictured at the top of this post are indeed Del Forte Denim. Aren’t they great?

We totally appreciate your concerns re: the true sustainability of a crop like cotton. This definitely comes up time and time again with Inhabitat readers.

I encourage you to read more about the Sustainable Cotton Project – for US-based, locally-sourced, pesticide free and fair trade initiatives involving organic cotton. Although cotton and a lot of agriculture, for that matter, is far from perfect, SCP is a fairly encouraging approach as to how to support farmers and growers whose livelihoods still depend upon this industry. See http://www.sustainablecotton.org/html/growers/growers.html

I also think that this recent article from GAIAM outlines the issues rather clearly and without greenwashing, per se:
http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/How-Eco-Is-Organic-Cotton-The-Facts-on-7-Questions.html

It is important to add that if there is a way of supporting US-based farming that is clean and green, we should do so wholeheartedly. Having grown up on a small-family farm that struggled with staying afloat in the 1980’s and 90’s, it is vital to know that there is support for farmers’ efforts to keep our countryside open, green, and free of toxins and unwanted development.

Here’s to supporting hardworking farmers and small-businesses while also being sustainably cutting edge in the process.

Thanks for reading,

Abigail @ Inhabitat

]]> By: emmaglebhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/25/sustainable-style-del-forte-organic-denim/comment-page-1/#comment-82471 emmagleb Sun, 25 May 2008 13:42:33 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/25/sustainable-style-del-forte-organic-denim/#comment-82471 Organic demin is, to be honest, a lost idea on me. I find the idea of an organic cotton weird as it would just mean the cotton PLANT is organic, non of which, besides the buds, which are only organic by default, is used in the manufacture of the fabric. I very much doubt there is a trace of pesticides on the finished, non-organic cotton.Now SUSTAINABLE denim, thats a better one. Less transport means less emissions, a lower carbon footprint and a lower cost for the factory-to-shop of the jeans. BUT it also takes work from the people in developing countries who rely on it in order to live, so it can be a vicious circle. For the ultimate denim, perhaps locally made and finished jeans (sustainable in terms of potential energy) made from locally-ish sourced (easier for America, granted) fairtrade cotton?? For example, cotton grown in the same continent at least!! The same could potentially apply for all cotton clothing, but thats hopelessly utopic.On another note, I absolutely LOVE the top the model is wearing in the fishing boat picture (top of page). Is that from del Forte as well? Organic demin is, to be honest, a lost idea on me. I find the idea of an organic cotton weird as it would just mean the cotton PLANT is organic, non of which, besides the buds, which are only organic by default, is used in the manufacture of the fabric. I very much doubt there is a trace of pesticides on the finished, non-organic cotton.

Now SUSTAINABLE denim, thats a better one. Less transport means less emissions, a lower carbon footprint and a lower cost for the factory-to-shop of the jeans. BUT it also takes work from the people in developing countries who rely on it in order to live, so it can be a vicious circle. For the ultimate denim, perhaps locally made and finished jeans (sustainable in terms of potential energy) made from locally-ish sourced (easier for America, granted) fairtrade cotton?? For example, cotton grown in the same continent at least!! The same could potentially apply for all cotton clothing, but thats hopelessly utopic.

On another note, I absolutely LOVE the top the model is wearing in the fishing boat picture (top of page). Is that from del Forte as well?

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