Fabrics
We all love this breezy summer fabric, but did you know? Grown in the right conditions, the earth loves linen too. Linen comes from the flax plant and is grown on marginal land unsuitable for food crops. Linen uses less water than cotton production and is naturally toxin free, requiring no pesticides and little to zero fertiliser. Linen is strong, durable and made to last, making it ideal for timeless pieces that will outlive trends!
Rayon has gotten a bad reputation (and rightly so) for being traditionally made of acrylic, polyester, nylon and other petroleum-based synthetic fabrics. Eco Rayon is a natural alternative, made of 100% wood cellulose. The wood fibre is sourced from sustainably managed plantations and forests. These trees are renewable resources which are harvested within 5 years for the next cycle of planting and harvesting, thus ensuring a constant supply of renewable raw materials.
The highly absorbent nature of cellulose fibre enables it to take dyes very well, bringing about rich and radiant colours without losing its natural lustre. To wear, it’s as soft and breathable as cotton and smooth as silk. Eco Rayon drapes beautifully, making it satisfying and comfortable to wear. Consisting of natural plant-based polymers, Eco Rayon is biodegradable and will naturally decompose into the soil at the end of its life. Our Winnie blouse, Remy skirt and Frankie midi dress are made from this elegant and excellent fabric.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading processing standard for organic cotton. It outlines a strict criteria for social and ecological processes, backed by independent certification of the entire supply chain. This ensures the cotton is produced using; safe working conditions, living wages, workers rights, no forced labor, and no child labor. We only use organic cotton that meets the GOTS. That’s why we say at Cor, “It’s GOTS to be organic!”
There are further environmental benefits to GOTS fabrics. Organic cotton produces up to 94% less greenhouse gas emissions than regular cotton. GOTS certification means hazardous pesticides are banned, and less energy and water are used. Farmers are free to choose what they grow and are encouraged to companion plant – growing their food alongside fabric crops. GOTS makes for better lives for farmers, better soil and a more sustainable future for farming. It also makes for better clothes, because we can be confident our fabrics have a positive footprint – and you can feel good about looking good.
Thoughtful practise
We aim to produce only what we need. All design prototypes are drawn, cut, pinned, sewn and revised by hand from our studio in Byron Bay. Before the designs are sent to our garments makers, Cor pieces will go through 3x review stages to ensure we’re putting the ‘fit’ in perfect.
So we’re using as much of the fabric as possible, we employ minimal waste pattern making techniques such as designing patterns that require less cutting, and working to the widths of the fabric. It’s a longer, more involved design process (think of it as pattern Tetris) but when it means less fabric is wasted, we know it’s worth it.
Offcuts are inevitable but we consider this “waste” to be a resource, so we turn larger scrap pieces into tote bags and floppy hats and smaller pieces into scrunchies! We’re always looking to reuse, reduce, and refine our practices to prevent waste.
We choose to use a sustainable digital printing process because it requires less energy and does not produce any wastewater or effluent. We use high-end biodegradable pigment inks, such as Eco Passport – the first of its kind on a commercial scale in Indonesia. OEKO-TEX certified inks are used in dye lots for linings and pockets to ensure harmful chemicals do not enter our waterways through runoff. These inks are also safer for the wearer, and prevent the absorption of harmful chemicals through our skin.
Digital printing enables us to produce the exact amount of fabric that is required for production. Digital printing technology uses less electricity, and the EXACT amount or ink required for each job, resulting in very little waste and very big results!
Before they’re ready to adorn the display racks, Cor garments are embellished with a branded swing tag, made of PEFC recycled paper. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation, they’re dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. This means that the PEFC endorses national forest certification systems tailored to local priorities and conditions to advance responsible, local forestry.
From Cor HQ, orders are posted using biodegradable mail sacks by Better Packaging Co which are made from corn starch, PLA (Polylactide, which is also made from corn waste amongst other plants) and PBAT (Polybutyrate Adipate Terephthalate). These mailer bags are compostable and biodegrade within 90 days.
When resisting fast fashion and throwaway culture, caring and repairing our clothes becomes a key part of sustainability. Whether it’s professional alterations or the more punk style of visible mending, we encourage you to embrace the radical act of repairing! We offer complimentary repairs on any existing garments faults, and if your Cor piece has been well lived in and has the battle scars to match, a repair service is available through our Byron Bay studio for a modest fee. Learn more on our Care & Repair page and get in touch for a quote.
All our pieces are made in an ethical cut, make, and trim facility in Bali by a team of garment workers ‒ 80% of this team are women and are all paid a living wage, pension fund (superannuation equivalent), paid holiday leave, sick pay, medical insurance and overtime pay. The way we see it, for a garment to be well made the garment maker must be well paid, so we’re thrilled to partner with like-minded producers who celebrate great crafts(wo)manship as much as we do.
Whether we’re collaborating with photographers, models, ambassadors, or stockists, we’re always committed to seeking out like-minded individuals and businesses that adhere to the same ethical standards and processes we do.
If you’re a wholesaler or individual with a focus for sustainable fashion, we’d love to connect!
For a few years now, Cor has been a regular face at local markets between Byron and Brisbane. We cherish being able to engage directly with our customers and showcase the quality of our products first hand.
Being part of the market community is not only a huge driver of creativity for us, it’s an opportunity to educate customers on how to care for garments and encourage slow fashion habits like alterations, repairs, and upcycling. To find out how you can prolong the life of your garment, visit our Care & Repair page.
