Indigenous Designs, Inc

I found out about this Santa Rosa based company by reading the Wall St Journal last week (Tues 7-17) in an article called "Green Clothing Maker Indigenous Designs Puts Fashion First". The article basically discussed the growing market for eco friendly clothing and the beginning saturation in the market of these types of businesses lately as environmentally friendly products become more popular. The author interviewed many eco friendly companies who basically said that you cant beat people over the head with the green theme to get them to buy the products but instead should put fashion first (to get peoples attn) and then the green-ness of the product will be an added bonus.

This statement I got from Indigenous designs web site:
"Indigenous Designs is a 10 year old natural fiber wholesale clothing company located in Santa Rosa, California. Our product designs are eco-oriented in terms of using only organic cotton, alpaca, merino, tencel, and blends of these natural fibers, in addition to using no dyes or low impact dyes. Our products are only produced with fair trade standards by artisans and cooperatives around the world, mainly in Ecuador, Peru, and India. We are currently starting up a project in Guatemala including the growing of organic cotton, spinning the yarn, weaving the fabric, and sewing the garments with a cooperative of local farmers and artisans supported by a NGO."

Other cool facts about this company are:
20% of employees drive hybrids or cars that run on biodiesel
They highlight and help other companies that are using green business tactics
They used recycled materials for fashion shows aisles carpet and booths
They have doubled their profit in one year
They do business with over 300 retailers nationwide including Dillards, whole foods, Eileen Fisher......

Shopping green

A few things I have encountered recently while shopping that I thought would be of interest:

Positively Fourth in downtown Santa Rosa is Green Mommy friendly - from what I saw. I bought a couple of shirts from a company called "Green Label Organic - sustainable threads". Nice shirts, but I was most intrigued by the tag and label. The tag reads: "Certified 100% organic cotton, garment dyed with low impact dyes, printed with Rehance (c) - absolutely no plastics or harsh resins used, sweatshop free, and made in the USA." The tag on the shirt (which is one of the tagless kind) reads: "sustainable threads, please use non-toxic, biodegradable detergents, save energy - line dry (use dryer if you must), okay to iron - printed with Rehance (c) technology - there is no plastic on this shirt (do people really iron t-shirts?)"

Cute. And there was no plastic - the tag was attached with a pin and twine.

I went shopping at Pacific Market today and noticed an alternative to 7th Generation feminine products. Natracare is 100% organic, unbleached cotton. The liners are not indiviually wrapped like 7th Generation are. They had a large offering of products. The market also carries Glad Rags, Diva Cups (2 sizes) and the Diva cleaner.

On that note, I have tried the Luna Pads and find it okay (a little bulky). I am happy about the lack of landfill I contribute now. Anyone else trying it?

There is a big empty space in a shopping center on the east side in Petaluma where a JCPenney used to be. I am hoping the 4th Pacific Market opens there. (don't know there will be a 4th - but I am hoping!)