Sustainability
THE PROCESS
Expertly sewn in Los Angeles, each RCT garment is cut from the highest quality linen and colored with low-impact dyes.
THE FABRIC
Linen is one of the oldest known fibers in the world. Woven from flax, the fabric offers benefits to both humans and the planet. Linen is antimicrobial, breathable, lightweight, absorbent, moth-resistant, and cooling.
Linen is also one of the most eco-friendly, sustainable and durable materials on Earth. Flax grows naturally, requiring no pesticides, fertilizer, and no additional water other than what falls from the sky.
When woven into textiles, flax is two to three times stronger than cotton. This durability means that your RCT garments last longer, allowing you to consume less.
SHIPPING & RECYCLED MATERIALS
We source our supplies from EcoEnclose, a leader in the world of sustainable packaging. Our mailers are made of recycled plastic, and when the weather is favorable we ship plastic-free in recycled paper mailers. Our shipping labels and postcards are made from recycled paper. We package bulk orders in large bags rather than individually, reducing the amount of plastic needed to keep our garments undamaged.
We also choose to use the US Postal Service (USPS) for our shipping services. The USPS is a vital civic institution providing universal mail service at reasonable rates and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Read more about the threat to the existence of the USPS.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
We are committed to investing in our community.
We believe we can make the most impact close to home. By partnering with LA companies for our fabric, dyeing, and sewing, we can ensure that our dollars flow to support jobs and business within our community.
Inexpensive garments come at a high cost for sewers.
The garment industry around the world is notorious for poor working conditions and extremely low wages. Common conditions include crowded factories with poor ventilation where workers are required to work long hours, or must do so in order to make ends meet. The problems with our industry are clear, and very serious. The United States has workplace regulations designed to prevent worker exploitation, but they don’t always go far enough.
What is piece work and how does it hurt sewers?
In the Los Angeles garment industry, piece work is the cheapest option for manufacturers, and a common way to get around paying the minimum wage. Piece work is an antiquated wage system where sewers are paid per the item sewn, and required to complete a specific quantity in a limited amount of time. While the lump sums may appeal to some workers, it often requires long hours to complete the assigned quantities, and so in the end the average hourly wage is often very low.
Rachel Craven Textiles are sewn at Polytime Atelier.
Since 2013, we have been working with Polytime Atelier, located in downtown Los Angeles. Polytime was founded on the concept of artisan craftsmanship and fair labor practices, and pays its workers an hourly wage instead of the wage-gouging piece work. Polytime’s expert sewers, cutters, and sample makers are essential to creating the high-quality, long-lasting RCT garments our customers love. Polytime is named after owner Ali Barone’s mother-in-law, who founded a clothing atelier in Athens, Greece in the late 60s, making custom dresses and paying college tuition for three of her siblings.
Left: Polytime team members GG (Quality Control), Karena (Atelier Manager), Andres (Floor Manager)