It's time to rethink fashion
Olga Garibian from Burbank, CA, describes herself as an entrepreneur, minimalist and clean planet advocate. It's no surprise then that Olga and her husband Paul are leading the way in sustainable fashion.
Wanting to do more for the planet and to set an example for future generations, Olga and Paul decided to use their backgrounds in fashion and technology to create a high-quality ethical clothing item. And what could be a more staple fashion item than the t-shirt?
T-shirts are also the staple item of fast fashion. Low quality, one season t-shirts contribute to the fashion industry's massive negative impact on the environment. The Garibians wanted to change that.
So, The Classic T-shirt Company was born.
This wardrobe staple is non-binary, can be dressed up or down, goes with almost everything and is casually cool in a way that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking. It is essentially the anti-slogan, a radically plain garment that emphasizes the wearer. --OUR STORY, The Classic T-shirt Company
Their latest project is another step forward, but the Garibian's have looked for ways to make their product more sustainable, ethical, high-quality and affordable right from the start.
Designed and run from their Burbank headquarters, their 100% organic cotton t-shirts, are made in Los Angeles in one of the most ethical factories according to Paul Garibian. They insist on organic cotton for their product because the impact of non-organic on our environment, farmers, and workers, is unacceptable to the Garibians. As it should be to all of us.
Organic cotton farming practices according to the Global Organic Textile Standard improves soil fertility, supports biologically diverse agriculture, helps ensure the health of the local human and animal communities, is almost 100% less water polluting, and helps combat climate change.
According to WWF, our classic go-to outfit: a single non-organic cotton T-shirt and pair of jeans requires more than 700 gallons of water to produce.
The huge water consumption of fast fashion influenced the Garibians' recent announcement for their latest ethical-fashion effort. They have teamed up with sustainability focus charity, Water For People, based in Denver, Colorado. The Classic T-Shirt Company is pledging 1% of all equity, sales, and time to causes they believes in, primarily safe water access for people around the world.
Photo credit: Water for People
Water For People have helped bring clean water to millions of people across nine countries, as well as providing sanitation solutions and hygiene education. Their focus on the sustainability of their projects means communities can access clean water for the long-term, rather than a quick fix.
Water For People thinks about the long term from the beginning. We ensure districts can be independent from ongoing foreign aid and have reliable access to water and sanitation for generations. --Water for People
It doesn't matter whether you live in Burbank or Bangladesh, we are all able to do our part to encourage change.
"We can all make a difference by investing in ethical and quality basics that last longer and do less harm to the planet - there is no free lunch here," says Paul.
Long-term fashion, meets long-term aid!