O Ecotextiles: Indulgent Yet Responsible

Two sisters co-founded a textile company based on the concept that sumptuous fabrics can be extraordinarily sustainable.

The O Ecotextiles Collection, made from bamboo, hemp, abaca, ramie, linen, and silk, debuted at West Coast Green last month with a simple message. Being an organic textile, means not just that a fabric uses organic fibers in the yarn, but that every step of the production process has been certified eco-friendly. O Ecotextiles produces organic fabrics, not just fabrics made with organic fibers.

The company was founded by two sisters from Seattle: Patty Grossman, CEO, and Leigh Ann Van Dusen, General Manager/U.S. Inspired by her children to go green on a sofa reupholster, but wanting fabrics as sumptuous as possible within that parameter, Van Dusen started doing research and hooked in her sister. Finding nothing that filled the niche of truly healthy and safe AND luxurious textiles–and horrified by the toxic nature of the textile process and final product–they spent four years scouring the world to find those that would help them make each step of their production green, with a healthy product for the end user.

“We are thrilled to show our product to people at West Coast Green who will share our excitement that our fabrics are not only safe enough to eat, but safe enough to use in your baby’s room and are fully compostable at end of life, but whose production is also safe for the earth and animals,” states Grossman, who also leads the textiles group developing green standards for the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

O Ecotextiles’ mission is to change the way textiles are made by proving that it is possible to produce luxurious, sensuous fabrics in ways that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable. Their worldwide production partners do not support the sale and use of pesticides and fertilizers, chemicals that poison our soils, and pollute groundwater. Their manufacturers treat their wastewater so it does not degrade waterways. Their products do not contain toxic chemical residues that may be absorbed through our skin and lungs. They are continuing to work on decreasing their carbon footprint.

Check out the Eco-stories section of the website. There are a lot of eco-facts and well as other good resources. These two women have an important message.