Terra Thread is moving beyond the backpack.

The sustainability-focused company has just launched its first clothing collection – a line of genderless everyday staples created with traceable Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) cotton.

A Certified B Corp, Terra Thread is one of the first companies to offer apparel made with ROC cotton, joining the ranks of Patagonia – one of the companies that spearheaded the relatively new cotton certification.

Hoodies made of Regenerative Organic Certified cotton are among the everyday basics Terra Thread is offering in its first apparel collection.

“By creating ROC T-shirts and hoodies, two everyday staples, we can make a dent in fixing the fashion industry’s broken system,” said Vizan Giri, co-founder of Terra Thread. “We’re starting with these basics that a large group of people are wearing to have the greatest impact.”

Regenerative Organic Certified is considered by many to be the highest standard in the world for organic agriculture. It lays out stringent requirements for soil health, animal welfare and the social wellbeing of farmers and workers. The ROC designation is overseen by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), which was founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia.

“We’re honored that Terra Thread is now offering apparel with the Regenerative Organic Certified distinction,” said Elizabeth Whitlow, executive director of the ROA. “We know consumers and retailers are increasingly searching for more sustainable, planet-friendly products, and our certification standards are the North Star.”

The new T-shirts and pullover and zipper hoodies are made of ROC cotton in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India. They’re also GOTS certified.

Terra Thread was founded by father-daughter duo Vik and Vizan Giri, who aimed to provide more affordable, ethical and sustainable options to shoppers who may otherwise turn to fast fashion. They say they’ve built the company through a mutual passion for social and environmental justice, ensuring all of their products are sourced transparently, using a people- and planet-friendly “farms-to-arms” approach. 

“The Regenerative Organic Certification is much more than just a checklist,” Vik Giri said. “Not only are farmers focused on rebuilding soil health, but there’s an emphasis on ensuring that social standards are also met at the farm- and factory-level. We believe it’s the next step toward transforming fashion and addressing the massive environmental and societal challenges we’re facing.”

Terra Thread currently offers several of its bags to the promotional products industry through Leed’s (asi/66887), a subsidiary of Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America (PCNA; asi/78897). The company says it does not currently plan to offer its apparel line to the promo industry. In addition to its many certifications, Terra Thread also gives back to Feeding America, donating over 1.8 million meals so far to the nonprofit.

Interest in sustainable products has been on the rise, both within the promotional products industry and beyond. Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070), for example, recently announced a partnership with Out of the Ocean to offer bags made from recycled ocean plastic. And sustainability is shaping up to be a major force on the show floor at industry trade shows like ASI Orlando this year.

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