Look Fabulous to Help Local Farmers

by WiredBerries Editors — January 15, 2008

As the eco-fashion industry grows through the conscience purchases of informed consumers, the domestic organic cotton farms are clearly benefiting. As people become more aware of the need to buy not only organic cotton fashions but also those with a small carbon footprint, designers are looking to local organic cotton producers to meet the increased demand. Farmers in the United States grow a small portion of the organic cotton used by the apparel industry, which still sources most of its fibers overseas in countries like Turkey where labor and production costs are cheaper. The market is clearly booming, however: The nonprofit Organic Exchange predicts that sales of organic cotton fiber will reach $226 million by 2009, up from about $19 million in 2004. Sustainable fashion looks great on US organic farmers.