James Tailoring was founded on the idea of bringing together the very best in responsible trims to designers and makers across the world. Our innovative products have been designed to be responsible, ethical and a sustainable choice for the fashion industry and home sewists.
Richard set about curating a range of essential sewing products that are responsible, sustainable and eco-friendly. Richard’s extensive background in the textile industry has given us a wealth of experience and knowledge of the products we need to provide. Richard saw first hand the inevitable, widespread damage of the fashion industry. As well as the race to profiteering over accountability, but now we welcome the increasing demand for change in the fashion industry by consumers.
James Tailoring is our family run business, since launching in 2018 Richard’s two daughters now work for the business and manage the growing team. We are committed to minimising the environmental impact as much as possible within the fashion industry. We source all our products from sustainable and responsible suppliers who share our values and are as passionate about changing the fashion industry as we are. GOTS and Oeko Tex certificated organic elastic, threads, fabric and buttons are just some of our game changing products that are revolutionising the way clothes are made.
Organic and Sustainable Textile Certifications Explained
Sustainability Made Simple for the People and the Planet
Here you will find useful information, links and some of our thoughts that we hope you will find useful!
GOTS
GOTS is a global standard for textiles that are made from certified organically produced raw materials and includes very strict ecological and social standards throughout the entire supply chain. Our Elastic, Thread, Zips, and Fabric are just some of our GOTS certified products. Organic GOTS cotton is 100% pesticide free. Pesticides used in non organic farms pollute soil and water, killing wildlife and can harm local communities. Only natural rainfall is used in the production of cotton, which is as much as 90% less than ordinary cotton water uses. To appreciate how much water is needed this means that 2700 litres are required to make one ordinary cotton t shirt and an organic version uses 90% less water. Enhanced welfare standards ensure safe, well paid work environments for all employees. Organic cotton is also softer, kinder to the skin and lasts longer than ordinary cotton which is chemically processed.
GRS
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a product standard for tracking and verifying the content of recycled materials in a final product. The standard applies to the full supply chain and addresses traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, chemical content and labelling. Threads, Zips cord ends and Elastic are some of our GRS products.
OSC
The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is a standard for tracking and verifying the content of organically grown materials in a final product. The standard verifies the presence and amount of organic material in a final product. Elastic is one of our OCS products.
Tencel
Tencel by Lensing is material made from sustainably sourced (cellulose) wood fibres using sustainable, circular responsible processes that cause no harm to people and planet. Our Thread, Tape, Zips, are just some of our Tencel products. Tencel is the only cellulose closed loop process that causes no harm to the planet.
Green Washing
Greenwashing is a term used to describe some companies who want to ‘appear’ more sustainable than they actually are. They may make false claims about their green production practices or even purposefully are vague with facts about their material or even how their garment workers are treated. They do this because they are becoming aware of increasingly educated consumers who are demanding better from their clothing suppliers and because by their fast fashion, exploitative greed model it would be virtually impossible for them to be genuine about their materials, production methods and their work conditions.
B Corporation
Certified B Corporations, or ‘B Corps’, are companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The certification process grades brands on a points system that measures five key areas: Governance, Workers, Environment, Customers, and Community. This certification is becoming more popular and their site allows easy access to their grading system.
Cradle to Cradle
The standard requirements are based on the Cradle to Cradle® design principles outlined in William
McDonough and Michael Braungart’s 2002 book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. This programme outlines five key principles. 1. Material Health of people and planet. 2. A Products Circularity. 3. Clean Air & Climate. 4. Water & Soil Stewardship. 5. Social Fairness. The Institute sets the global standard for products that are safe, circular and made responsibly.