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Thieves
Materials Used Thieves uses the following fabric compositions and blends: Certfied Organic Cotton; 100% Hemp Canvas; Hempcel – 55% hemp, 45% tencel; Hemp Cotton– 55% hemp, 45% cotton; Hemp / Recycled Polyester Twill – 77% hemp, 23% recycled polyester; Hempsilk – 60% hemp, 40% silk; 100% Organic Cotton Poplin and Twill; 100% Organic Wool* Suiting; Organic Wool* / Organic Cotton Crepe – 75% organic cotton, 25% organic wool; Peace Silk; 100% Tencel jersey; Bamboo Film – 66% viscose from bamboo, 14% organic cotton, 14% cotton, 6% spandex; Fabrics certifications: Oeko- Tex standard 100, CU(SKAL) and CIA. Only Reactive dyes are used (low impact dyes) and Organic cotton is Control Union Certified. Production All garments are made in Toronto, either in house or with local small production facilities. The company has, however, used more appropriate terminology in their design philosophy: "All pieces are conceived and assembled in Toronto." In this way, the company has acknowledged that materials are sourced from outside of Canada. However, they do not carry fair trade certification (and Thieves does not make any fair trade claims). Thieves has a close personal relationship and direct contact with their seamstresses who own their own small contract manufacturing company. All employees are treated well and paid well. Design Thieves designs for women, and produces a small collection for men as well (mostly available in their Toronto retail location). Designer Sonja den Elzen successfully achieves her visual design goal of an "urban organic aesthetic" through the incorporation of organic materials into fashion forward, cutting edge, competitive designs, and considered design. Special Features Thieves has dedicated a section of their website toward consumer education, through the listing of facts about various fibres. Website contains the message, "PLEASE NOTE: The biggest environmental impact from clothing is how much washing and drying it needs over its lifetime. Wash in cold water and hang to dry." This has further highlighted the designer’s desire to limit the impact of designs at every stage, past the point of purchase. Also, fabric certifications are clearly cited on the website. FTA Comments : Designer Sonja den Elzen has clearly made a substantial effort to use responsible materials (hemp, organic wool and peace silk, with proper certifications). It would be great to see more information in terms of where/how the designs are manufactured. We also felt that in terms of fibre education, the facts surrounding bamboo is outdated and could use some further clarification. Because the heaviest impacts happen in the consumption phase (through regular wear and laundering), we are really impressed by Sonja's efforts to educate her customers on this point. Also the company has provided some definitions on their website for terms such as social responsibility and absorption which we really like!
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