Made in USA
Clare Bare
How we make it
Fabrics:
Most of our styles are made from upcycled vintage fabrics in limited editions. I mostly source these fabrics on trips to the desert where all the good stuff hasn't already been picked through. I look mostly look for cotton prints from the 60's & 70's, but also look for stretch fabrics in the vintage lingerie section, and silk scarves with beautiful prints. There is so much joy that comes from finding a few yards of something really special! I truly believe that repurposing materials that already exist in the world is the most sustainable way to bring anything new into being.
We are lucky enough to have a local supplier and manufacturer for our eco friendly fabrics. We used Bamboo Jersey for years, but have recently switched to Lenzing Modal for our jersey pieces. The production process is more sustainable and the fabric is more durable and long lasting, while still biodegradable. Modal is a cellulose fiber made from reconstituted cellulose from beech trees that multiply by "rejuvenation" which means that the trees propagate by themselves. No artificial irrigation or planting is required, thus beechwood forests are a completely natural and sustainable source of raw material. We are aiming to start using Tencel, but are still on the hunt for the perfect blend.
We also use silk, satin, organic cotton, and remnant fabrics that are sourced locally. We plan to evolve with the fashion industry as innovations in sustainability are made.
Elastics & Hardware:
Our strap materials are mostly new and purchased from our local supplier. Occasionally we use remnant elastics from larger manufacturer orders, or deadstock vintage elastic and hardware in special colors.
Dyes:
Besides black and off white, all colors are hand dyed. We use the following organic dyes: Brazilian Logwood (purples, blacks) Indian Lac (pinks, reds) Caribbean Plants (teals, blues) Osage Orange (yellows.) Indian Lac is sourced from the excrement of the Cochineal insect rather than using the actual insect itself, but we can provide a synthetic alternative for vegan customers who would prefer us not to use this dye.
Galamaar Swim
No detail is too small to consider; from our made in LA pad inserts, recycled hang tags, regenerated mixed metal hardware and eco-packaging materials, we do our best to minimize our negative impact. The biggest player in the process is our amazing sustainable techno-fabric made of nylon from discarded fishing nets that account for nearly 10% of all ocean pollution. Not only does our fabric have waste-to-wear properties, but also it's engineered to last a very long time with amazing fit retention. Combine that with our quality construction and you’ve got one long lasting swimsuit.
All of our products are proudly made in Los Angeles, California.
Irthly
Irthly plays a role towards sustainability by using recycled or eco-metals as much as possible. We use Harmony Metals from Hoover & Strong wherever applicable. All of our diamond suppliers are Kimberley Process compliant, which is a certification system that prohibits the trading of diamonds from war-torn regions. Most of our gems are fair trade, meaning that we can confirm that the supplier and gem cutters are practicing fair trade protocol. In terms our own production, we are not involved in any overseas production. Everything is proudly produced in Los Angeles.
MATE
Sustainable and ethical practices are paramount to the brand's ethos. MATE has chosen to partner with factories within a five mile radius from their Arts District Headquarters in DTLA. Each piece is thoughtfully designed, carefully sourced and proudly produced in small batches season after season.
RAFA
RAFA is a women's luxury footwear collection designed and hand-crafted by a group of 20 artisans in Los Angeles, California. Born out of a need for smart and timeless design that transcends trends, RAFA is committed to the use of local craftsmanship combined with top quality materials to create a collection of accessible luxury footwear. All our products are made using ecologically friendly materials and sustainable processes.
Snacku
Snacku leather is thoughtfully sourced from only 2 limited suppliers. One of them is located in Napa valley and the other one is in NY. The raw material that the supplier in Napa uses is domestic and also bi-product with food industry. As for the other supplier in NY, the raw material is from LWG certified tannery from Argentina and it is processed to get the beautiful finishing in Johnstown, NY. Processing the leather takes time.
Tiffany Kunz
Intrigued by the deconstruction of shapes, repetition and texture, Tiffany designs environmentally conscious pieces of jewelry. Her collections are cast from locally sourced, reclaimed metals, and accented with certified fair trade stones, which are then finished by hand in her studio in Los Angeles, CA. She strives to create artful pieces in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner. All her supplies, from pricing tags, look books and business cards to shipping parcels and jewelry pouches, are made from renewable resources or recycled materials.