Why care about sustainable clothing?

Many people ask why we should care about sustainability clothing. The fact is that garment production is one of the most chemically reliant industries, one of the lowest ranking industries for fair labor practices, and it is also the second highest global polluter of clean water because of its use of toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, and other toxic compounds. This is how most clothing is now being produced, but we don’t think that is ok.

We believe in doing things differently. We believe that you do not have to sacrifice sustainability for style. We know that rivers don’t have to be polluted and workers don’t have to be exploited so we can make pretty clothes & bikinis - we want to prove that doing things the right way is beautiful.

At Sage Larock, things like the environment, people, and integrity have as much value as beauty, quality, and style. We want to work to change the world, but we want to help you look and feel gorgeous while we are all doing it together.

At most apparel dye houses, many heavy metals and chemicals go into the process of coloring clothes, and many remain in your clothes after they are dyed. Your skin is your largest organ and it absorbs a substantial amount of everything you put on it, so what goes into the clothes you wear really does matter. The chemicals that don’t stay in the fabric are often flushed out into waterways, such as rivers, lakes, or even the ocean. At Sage Larock, we use only low-impact OEKO-TEX Certified or natural dyes, and our dye house maintains responsible chemical and water usage, and is even partially solar powered.  We produce locally in Los Angeles, not only to further reduce our carbon footprint & support the local economy, but to make certain all our employees are paid fair wages, given full benefits, and always in good working conditions.

The fabrics we choose to use at Sage Larock are some of the cleanest and most sustainable around. We carefully research and choose only fabrics that respect the environment, the health of textile workers, and also that look and feel really amazing. All Sage Larock garments are labeled hand wash or machine wash cold, which are the most environmentally friendly methods of washing clothing. Here is what makes each of the fabrics we use so special:

Upcycled Marine Plastic Debris:

Why do we make all of our swimwear out of upcycled plastic debris from the oceans and upcycled ghost-fishing nets? Why not regular swimwear fabric?

Because 8 million metric tons of plastic (80% of all plastic created) ends up in the oceans every year, which is equivalent to five grocery bags of plastic trash being stacked up on every single foot of coastline around the globe. It is estimated that ghost nets (40% OF PLASTIC IN OCEAN), transparent plastic (non-biodegradable) fishing nets, often over a mile long, kill millions of marine animals every year as they drift beneath the surface of our oceans drowning seals, whales, sharks, turtles, dolphins and other fish, and wiping out thousands of miles of coral reefs.

Each year, at least 640,000 tonnes of nets and other fishing gear goes overboard and never comes back, and if left to drift in our oceans, these nets create mile long death traps - 640,000 tons is equivalent to almost 2x the weight of the Empire State Building.

But we believe this is unacceptable. Instead of creating new polyester fabric (the same PET as plastic water bottles), which all non-recycled content swimwear is made from, we only use ECONYL yarn, made from upcycled fishing lines and marine plastic debris. This not only stops new plastic (polyester) from being created, but also helps our oceans, and allows us to create all Sage Larock swimwear out of the finest material, which is chlorine & sun oil resistant and has an SPF of 50. 

It is estimated that if humans do not stop creating more plastic and disposing of it in our oceans - by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than any life.

Organic cotton:

Is grown and produced free from more than 100 harmful substances, including toxic heavy metals. Traditionally grown cotton is one of the most chemical and water intensive crops out there, so using organic cotton really does matter.  The Okeo-Tex standard organic cotton we use is grown and produced by a collective of Indian cotton growers, who still utilize traditional bio-dynamic farming methods that are respectful of their traditions and the land. This is a completely biodegradable material.

Hemp: 

Is grown without use of chemicals & pesticides, and can also be grown quickly with very little water. Hemp is also incredibly durable and is also super soft, and becomes even more so the longer you wear it. Hemp is one of the softest and most comfortable fabrics around and looks great on. This is a completely biodegradable material & does not contribute to deforestation as it can be grown in more arid climates..

Dead stock fabrics: 

Means less waste and less landfills. Every year, hundreds of thousands of yards of fabric go to waste from fashion houses and if this fabric goes unused. Instead of wasting this fabric - it can be given a new life by being made into garments.