Under The Canopy

What is ECOfashion®?
A new concept in fashion, home & spa products - one that promotes ecological responsibility. ECOfashion®, a term coined by Under the Canopy's founder in 1996, embraces the idea of making a positive impact on the future of the planet. UTC ECOfashion® is comprised of innovative organic and natural fabrics and designs that utilize the earth's resources in an Eco-friendly and sustainable manner.

How long have you been in business?
Since 1996.

Why haven't I heard of Under the Canopy®?
UTC has grown organically from a seed to a garden. While we have been expending a great deal of effort over the past decade building our initial foundation, we also have been driving and spearheading the emerging industry of ECOfashion® and organic fiber fashion and home products. Our outreach is expanding along with our company and concept. Certainly, we have received strong validation and have been recognized in the catalog, fashion, spa/beauty, home and natural/organic product industries alike.

What is 108?
108 is an auspicious number signifying a "roadmap to the human soul." We have chosen this number as a core brand identity since it represents the body and mind via countless references to most major spiritual and physical modalities. It is a very powerful and fortuitous number.

What kind of products does Under the Canopy® carry?
We are the leading brand of exclusively organic and sustainable fashion and home products on the global market. Today, we carry women's fashion (basics and high-end contemporary) as well as robes and loungewear, baby/kids wear, basic men's apparel, and home products such as sheets, pillows, towels, kitchen textiles, and rugs.

What does organic really mean and why should I buy organic?
Unlike conventional cotton which is one of the most heavily sprayed industries in the world, organic fibers (such as organic cotton) are not sprayed with harmful pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers, which in turn helps save our water, air and environment as a whole. Organic methods of agriculture are inherently better for our bodies, our homes, our planet and for future generations.

Which official organizations classify a fiber as organic and what are their criteria?
The Organic Trade Association and its Organic Fiber Council defined the standards for US organic fiber certification for future Federal Regulatory purposes. UTC's founder is on the Council's National Steering Committee and she speaks regularly around the world about organic fiber and its importance in the global community. Today, organizations such as IMO and SKAL, which are IFOAM accredited, certify organic cotton and other fibers labeled as organic, based on specific organic farming methodologies comparable to that of organic food.

As of October 2006, the international fiber community has solidified a new set of standards, the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), which is the highest level of internationally-approved certification for finished organic fiber textile products. These standards incorporate certification from the fiber on the farm level through all processes (ginning, spinning, knitting/weaving, finishing, dyeing, transport, and social/labor practices).

How do I know that your products are really organic?
Upon your request, we will be happy to forward a certificate of authenticity for every fabric labeled as organic. Our company was founded on the principles of a triple-bottom line business: profitability, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. We pride ourselves on our authenticity and mission to create a "green, chic & healthy planet" and we track our production from the farm level. Most of our products have been developed from the raw material stage and today, our fabrics include certified organic cotton, organic wool and organic linen as well as countless blends with other fibers such as soy, bamboo, Tencel, silk, Lycra, angora, cashmere and more. Our content labels carefully specify our fiber ingredients.

Are organic fiber products more expensive?
In a young yet growing industry, the cost of organic fiber products will decrease as the demand for organic fiber products increases. Today, costs of organic farming and fiber are at a slight premium; however the longer-term costs to our health and society are not reflected in conventional fiber cost models. With sufficient volumes and efficient production, raw material costs can be amortized across the final finished product (farm to yarn to knit/weave to cut/sew to market) and an organic fiber product can be comparable in price with its conventional counterpart.

What is organic cotton?
It is cotton grown free of toxic chemicals using biologically based and sustainable growing methods (such as crop rotation) rather than with highly synthetic and destructive fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or pesticides. Certified organic cotton must adhere to a strict set of guidelines based on the scientific method of organic agriculture.

What is color grown cotton?
Color grown cotton contains no dyes but is grown in natural colors such as honey, sage, and mocha. Ancient Indians in South America were known to have used color grown cotton. In the past decade, these color grown cotton fibers have become available for textile manufacturing.

What is green cotton?
"Green cotton" is conventional. Not organic, but instead, cotton which is un-dyed and untreated.

What is soy?
Soy fabric is a new and exciting eco-friendly fabric made from a by-product of soybean oil production. It is a sustainable textile fiber made from renewable and biodegradable resources. It is part of an effort to move consumers away from petrochemical textile products and turn waste into useful products.

What is bamboo?
Bamboo fiber is made of 100% bamboo pulp fiber. The fabric is naturally antibacterial and eco-friendly. It breathes easier and is cooler than cotton in warm weather. It has been said to feel like a cross between cashmere and silk.

What kind of dyes and methods does UTC use?
Fiber-reactive or low-impact, which has the least amount of toxic run off into the environment: 5% compared to 50-60% in traditional dye methods. On occasion, we also use color grown cotton, clay-dyes and organic plant dyes such as oregano and bilberry. Our organic denim is dyed using an environmentally-friendly recycled indigo process. Our main dye factory does not burn fossil fuels; instead, it is powered using rice husks.

How do I clean my organic fiber goods?
Almost everything at Under the Canopy is machine washable/dryable, and products are pre-shrunk. Some items may require hand washing and flat drying. We do not recommend dry cleaning. Please follow the care label inside for specific instructions.

Chemicals do not wash off of non-organic fibers any more than chemicals wash off of non-organic foods. The pesticides are in the soil and thus, the root of the plant.

How does organic fiber farming benefit the earth?
It takes one-third of a pound of chemical pesticides to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt. Last year, in the U. S. alone, over 84 million pounds of toxic pesticides were sprayed on conventional cotton fields. Multiply this by the enormous number of cotton products sold, worn and/or used, and it becomes clear that its effect on our earth, water, and air resources has been devastating.

While cotton is justifiably enjoyed by many as a comfortable and versatile fabric, the popularization of organic cotton would greatly benefit not only those who wear it but also our planet, our health and that of future generations. Additionally, 60% of the cotton plant goes into the food stream as animal feed and cottonseed oil. To promote organic feed for free range chickens and beef, and organic cottonseed oil to be used in countless products, we need to grow cotton organically.

Saying that conventional cotton is a natural fiber is the equivalent of saying that a conventional strawberry or apple is natural. Without being pesticide-free, or organic, there is significant "poisoning" to the plant, the soil, the air and the waterways, and ultimately to human life and the environment. Conventional cotton farmers have some of the highest rates of cancer than any other type of farmer. Because of drift in agriculture, the interconnectedness of plants and the need for crop rotation in sustainable farming, it is essential to support both sides of the agricultural equation - food and fiber. Although cotton represents less than 3% of the world's agriculture, it accounts for over 25% of the world's insecticide use and over 10% of the world's pesticides.

What are your labor practices?
We are very conscious about fair labor. Neither child labor nor sweatshops are employed and our factories guarantee fair working conditions and wages. We have our representatives audit our manufacturing facilities regularly with an Under the Canopy Social and Environmental Audit.

What is Fair Trade?
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. Fair Trade products range from coffee and clothing to rugs and wall hangings. FTF directly links low-income producers with consumer markets and educates consumers about the importance of purchasing fairly traded products which support living wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers in the developing world. FTF also acts as a clearinghouse for information on fair trade and provides resources and networking opportunities for its members. By adhering to social criteria and environmental principles, Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) foster a more equitable and sustainable system of production and trade that benefits people and their communities.

Are your products Fair Trade?
All of Under the Canopy's products are produced in a socially responsible manner, adhering to Fair Labor practices. As a further step, our factories in India and Peru use fair trade certified cotton and produce our products in fair trade certified factories. This means that our farmers are paid a premium on their cotton, and thus, we are contributing to the betterment of our farmer communities. By receiving higher prices, better working conditions, and a percentage of profits, our farmers can invest in better living conditions, healthcare, education, and community development.

How can I easily understand the terminology and definitions which are commonly used when talking about natural fiber, organic farming, and fair trade?
Natural fibers are those which are non-synthetic and grown under natural conditions: cotton, linen, hemp, flax, wool, silk, Tencel and more. Organic fibers are natural and are grown without pesticides and using sustainable agricultural methods, unlike their conventional counterparts. Some fibers, such as hemp and bamboo, are grown organically without the use of toxic chemicals but because of the organic fiber industry's youth, these fibers may not yet be certified organic. Several new fibers are undergoing organic certification review so we will see other certified fibers in the future. The leading certified organic fiber crop today is cotton.

Which countries are sources for the fabric, yarn, and finished goods you sell?
Our products are made in the US and overseas. Our main factories are in India, Peru, and the USA; however, we have also produced our products in China, Hong Kong, Romania, Turkey, Israel, Canada, Portugal, and Thailand. We have solidified relationships with these contractors who share and/or accept our social and environmental standards.

What does GMO free mean?
GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. These are plants which have not been manipulated by genetic engineering. The term "organic" includes the exclusion of GMO seeds in the farming process.

Why do we carry Lycra?
We use no more than 10% in any garment. Lycra increases the life of a garment, making it more sustainable. It adds stretch and versatility and contributes to a wider array of fashion fabrications. We add very small amounts to some of our garments in order to reach more people with the importance of organic cotton (and other organic textiles). We continue to seek natural alternatives to Lycra for future fabrics.

Under the Canopy
3601 North Dixie Highway, Suite #1
Boca Raton, FL 33431
ph 561.955.9311
fax 561.955.9085
www.underthecanopy.com
info@underthecanopy.com