Organic cotton, move on over because bamboo might just be the next big thing to hit the eco-friendly fashion market.
The sudden increase in awareness of environmental preservation has made many designers, boutique owners and clothing companies think about putting eco-friendly clothes in their stores.
‘Once you try our bamboo shirts, you’ll never want to go back to cotton,’ said Jeff Fulmer of Bamboo U.
Bamboo U is an eco-friendly line for young women that started blending their shirts with 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton a little over a year ago.
Why bamboo? The environmental benefits that implementing bamboo has over cotton are easy to see. Not only it is good for Mother Nature, but also it is better for you.
A unique characteristic of bamboo is that it naturally carries an anti-bacterial agent, making it need nothing to grow but natural rainwater. This means no need for pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers.
‘These harmful chemicals mix into our soil and water systems,’ said Fulmer.
Unlike bamboo, it takes one third of a pound of synthetic fertilizer to produce the cotton used to make just one shirt.
‘Cotton is considered the world’s dirtiest crop,’ Fulmer said.’
According to Fulmer, bamboo is not only the fastest growing plant on the planet, but also it is sustainable and self-regenerating. An additional bonus for bamboo clothing it is 100 percent biodegradable.
‘I was blown away by how soft it was compared to regular cotton,’ said Fulmer.
Other benefits from wearing bamboo are its softness over cotton, elimination of odors, UV protection and being able to absorb moisture up to four times better than cotton.
Bamboo U also offers their designer shirts to be printed with water-based ink instead of the plastisol chemicals that are used on most printed shirts.
‘The water-based inks provide a softer, more natural look and feel,’ Fulmer said.
Bamboo U women’s T-shirts cost about $30 with four different colors and two different logos to choose from.
Not only are the fashion market buyers becoming more aware and self-conscious, but local boutiques and companies have made their way in Houston selling eco-friendly clothing.
Lot 8, on 6107 Kirby Dr., has also recently offered eco-friendly to her boutique shoppers and Bebe Verde, on 1741 W. Alabama, is an eco-friendly products and clothing store designed especially for babies and toddlers. In addition, Forever 21 has also launched organic cotton shirts onto their shelves, as well as American Apparel, who offers sweatshop free organic cotton T-shirts.
For additional information on Bamboo U clothing, visit their online store at http://www.bamboo-u.com.
