5th Edition: Outerknown
In the fifth edition of A Commitment to Excellence, we focus on a California clothing company committed to changing how clothes are manufactured and sold. Outerknown was founded in 2014 by Kelly Slater, surfing legend, and designer John Moore to make clothes good for the planet and their customers. They are creating a better clothing ecosystem and partnerships with suppliers to achieve sustainability. I discovered the brand last year by searching for high-quality clothing companies that are better for the planet.???
Clothing is a nasty industry, from the products used to the workers making pennies in terrible conditions for companies promoting cheap, poorly made products that fall apart. Kelly and his leadership team are committed to changing the game of making clothes for men and women in a different way. Outerknown became the?first brand to be Certified by the Fair Labor Association before creating a single product. The commitment to sustainability begins at the source of the clothing material through an active partnership with their farming partners, material suppliers, factories, and workers. To push their commitment to their workers who make the clothes, the company partnered with the two leading Labor organizations worldwide to ensure their partners provide living wages to their employees. They even have a program where you can send in worn products to be recycled and resold. ????
Outerknown makes a wide array of casual and relaxing men’s and women’s clothing, clothes you would wear at the beach or hanging with friends. The clothing is comfortable and has an upscale surf vibe. Sure, sustainable items usually cost more, but as consumers, we need to ask ourselves what impact our purchases have on the world. I know the effect of buying a couple of pieces of clothing from a company with good practices is like a raindrop in Hawaii impacting the water level in the Atlantic.???However, a growing list of companies like Outerknown and Patagonia provides an alternative option for shoppers. Outerknown clothes are high quality, and you can feel a bit better about purchasing a $60 t-shirt knowing you are providing a better life for workers.??
Check out Outerknown at www.outerknown.com
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To close out the week, we go West to talk about Heath Ceramics and the beautiful pottery they have created since 1948.
Thank you for reading.??