Roger OngIt is always heartening to see customers making a conscious choice for ethical and/or organic products. We know that we are making an impact when small decisions like these are made globally. Japan is seeing changing trends that are environmentally friendly too! One such trend in Japan is the distancing away from fast fashion. Another one, which we’ll talk today, is selecting organic cotton.
What is Organic Cotton?
Organic cotton is cotton that is grown organically from non-genetically modified plants, and without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. Nothing synthetic is added during the production process.
For a good part of about 20 years, mass consumption and production demanded an increasing supply of cotton. Part of that demand came from fast fashion, where the clothing came with convenience. This meant there was little thought about where it came from, or who made it.
Furthermore, in order to meet that demand, yield-centric methods are used. Cotton farmers used genetically modified organism cotton seeds for higher yield. In addition, chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides are used to speed up the growth of these cotton plants.
But what makes organic cotton different from, or even better than, “tempered” cotton?
So it begs the question: why are people moving away from such cotton to choose organic cotton instead? Is yield quantity the only difference if the yield qualities are the same? Turns out, organic cotton cares about how it comes about.
Organic Cotton is environmentally friendly
As we mentioned, chemicals are often used to spurt growth in plants. Fertilizers and pesticides are often detrimental to the environment. Meant to target pests to prevent the loss of crops, these chemicals also affect unrelated ecosystems. Furthermore, they pollute the water, soil and air.
Organic cotton encourages fair trade
Environmental benefits are just one of the merits that comes with organic cotton. Organic cotton often comes from sources that practice fair trade.
By paying the farmers fairly, farmers are subsequently able to produce high-quality yields of cotton. This is as opposed to producing for mass production, where cutting cost is the main concern. Fair trade focuses on high quality agriculture and production instead. This benefits the farmer, us consumer and everyone in between.
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Understanding who made our clothes and accessories is a part of responsible consumption.
Organic cotton ensures health benefits
Organic cotton causes less allergies, and that is why many parents choose baby clothes made out of organic cotton. Even the dyes, for colored cotton, come from natural plant colors, like vegetables and flowers.
Organic cotton promotes quality
This links to the point about fair trade. The production process is part of what makes organic cotton organic. So it’s not just how the cotton is grown. By making sure the producers and manufacturers are fairly paid, we remove worries of livelihood. Their focus can then move towards achieving excellence.
Global Organic Textile Standard ensures authentic organic cotton
So by choosing organic cotton, we are not just building a greener world. Choosing organic cotton means we are opting to care for the environment, appreciating farmers for their work, and living an ethical lifestyle that avoids waste and overconsumption.
What fashion brands in Japan uses organic cotton? Well, we can look for the same global certification we’d find with international brands – Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
GOTS is the strictest certification for ecologically and socially responsible production of textile. The requirements include verifying the trades of the products, storage of the goods, processes in the manufacture, operations and many more. Therefore, receiving the GOTS certification means that the business is delivering quality organic cotton products to us.
5 Organic cotton fashion brands in Japan
There are many brands in Japan focusing on organic cotton products, and we will be looking at five of them today! These five brands have received the GOTS certification, can be found in Tokyo (shopping alert!), and have online stores.
People Tree
People Tree lets the concept of Fair Trade and Organic Cotton guide their fashion direction. They proudly put their logos on 100% Fair Trade products. Their clothes are all made of more than 95% organic cotton. In fact, People Tree also makes sure that their clothes are comfortable, stretchable and uses thread that are tough.
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An active contributor to #whomademyclothes on Instagram, People Tree’s commitment to Fair Trade is steadfast.
People Tree carries a wide variety of clothing, so there’s something for everyone. Ladies fashion, men’s wear, comfy baby clothes, trendy accessories, gift sets, bridal wear, dried fruits, coffee… probably the whole nine yards! And when you think about their insistence on fair trade and organic cotton, it makes shopping with People Tree feel really good!
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Even though People Tree has only two main stores, their popularity led many fashion stores to carry and display their products too. So it won’t be difficult to find their products in various locations of Japan. They also have an online store with free deliveries above 5,000 yen (within Japan only).
Oh, did we mention they have their own brand of chocolates too? Grab a taste of ethical chocolates!
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PRISTINE
As the name PRISTINE suggests, the brand’s concept is “Keeping things simple and clean.” This refers not only to their products, but also to their production process and to the environment.
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In fact, PRISTINE has five commitments it wants to fulfill. Other than making PRISTINE a “Made in Japan” brand, it also lets the cotton products retain their natural color. This means no dyes, even plant dyes. Thirdly, PRISTINE involves itself in the whole process, from cotton picking to finished product. This way, the brand is able to ensure authenticity of the cotton. Next, it makes quality products. Finally, it commits itself to the symbol of the ladybug, a reminder that organic cotton benefits from the presence of the ladybug. It can only be possible without the use of pesticides on a natural cotton field.
PRISTINE started its look book rather recently, which you can find here. It has fashion products for ladies, men and babies. Even though they are available online, they have multiple stores in Tokyo, as Nagoya, Hokkaido, Osaka and more.
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cofucu baby
Third on our list is cofucu baby, who is also GOTS certified. The organic cotton yards are spun in Japan, so like PRISTINE, the products are made in Japan.
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cofucu baby is a brand for baby clothing. They have but limited ranges for ladies and accessories. However, parents will enjoy a huge range of selections to spoil your darling child with! cofucu baby offers cotton cardigans, rompers, mantles, capes and such on top of the usual varieties. They even have gift sets for newborns and custom name sewing to delight!
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While they are mainly an online store, there are many malls that carry their products. These malls include Isetan and Takashimaya, which can also be found in various parts of Japan.
TENERITA
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A quiet, non-intrusive happiness that is always there. That is the philosophy of TENERITA. It hopes someday natural fibers will become so prevalent, that it becomes an unconscious part of our lives. We can see this philosophy in their products. In the softness and comfort that comes from the towels, pajamas and baby clothes. In the environmentally friendly detergent and organic soaps.
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Of course, the cotton TENERITA uses are organic cotton that is GOTS certified. On top of that, the cotton is also certified OCS100. This is a certification from the global non-profit Textile Exchange, which marks the amount of organic materials used in the process (save buttons or fasterners).
Like many of its counterparts, TENERITA can be found in various parts of Japan, with many of its stores in Tokyo.
Tenimuhou
The last, but not the least, Japanese organic cotton brand on our list is Tenimuhou. They are GOTS certified, while ensuring their products are of the best in terms of quality, production process, materials and more. They are actively involved in the process, even picking the best cotton at the farms by seeing and feeling the actual grown cotton.
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Tenimuhou utilizes two types of dyeing methods. The first is plant-dyeing, using mainly tincture, persimmon, yam and many more. The second method is Bengala dyeing, which makes use of Rred iron oxide. This is a traditional method of dyeing which the material is abundant and harmless to the body.
You’ll be able to find a variety of products with Tenimuhou, from towels to bedding to underwear to baby products. While you can find all their products on the online store, they also have two physical stores, one each in Tokyo and Yokohama.
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A glimpse of Japan’s organic cotton brands
As we mentioned, these are not the only Japanese organic cotton brands, even more so if we talk about organic brands. However, if you are coming to Japan for a trip, and looking to do some sustainable shopping, you can safely go for these GOTS certified brands! Stay organic cotton comfy, and happy shopping!
