10/24

The best organic cotton. Nothing else.

Through our meticulous sourcing process, expert knowledge, and direct relationships with farmers, we’re going above and beyond to secure the finest, most responsibly grown organic cotton.

  • Sustainability
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The best organic cotton. Nothing else.

At Stanley/Stella, we’re known for our passion for organic cotton. When we started out in 2012, we made the commitment to use exclusively 100% organic cotton. We believe this is the most responsible choice, both for our planet and its people, and our view hasn’t changed. Today, we’re proud to be one of the largest purchasers of organic cotton in the world.* 

All the cotton we use is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the leading worldwide standard for organic fibres. However ‘organic’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘quality’. Because we pride ourselves on offering premium blank garments that last, we’ve developed our own processes and methods to make sure we consistently source only the best organic cotton. 

Diversifying our cotton sourcing  

Globally, only around 1.4% of the cotton produced is estimated to be organic.** Twenty-one countries grow organic cotton, with India being the largest producer, accounting for 38% of production, followed by Turkey in second place, at 24%. 

Initially, we sourced all our organic cotton from India. But in 2021 we decided to diversify our sourcing, and began purchasing some of our organic cotton in Turkey. 

Diversifying our sourcing allows us to have a consistent supply of high-quality organic cotton. It means we’re not reliant on one region or supplier. We’re less vulnerable to risks such as extreme weather events, and we have more control over the quality of the cotton we buy. 

Hiring in-house cotton-sourcing specialists 

Given that such a small percentage of the world’s cotton is organic, the increasing consumer demand for sustainable fabrics is making the organic cotton market increasingly competitive. To stay ahead, we’ve expanded our teams to include our own cotton-sourcing specialists. 

One of those experts is Anil Konan, our Cotton Sourcing Manager. Anil is based in Turkey and also travels to India and Tanzania. With his background in agricultural engineering and cotton breeding, he means he knows exactly what to look for when purchasing cotton. He only works with the best organic cotton traders and requests samples to check the key characteristics, such as colour, purity and fibre length. These key indicators tell Anil if the cotton has been harvested at just the right time. 

Even though he only works with organic producers, he still has the samples tested for chemical residues that might have contaminated the cotton. Around 75% of the cotton Anil checks fails to meet our exacting standards, with only the very best cotton receiving his stamp of approval. 

Why is fibre length important?

Longer cotton fibres make stronger and softer yarn. This results in softer, more durable fabrics with have a smooth surface that gives excellent print results.

Working directly with organic cotton farmers 

As well as buying cotton from traders in India and Turkey, in Tanzania we go straight to the source thanks to our partnership with the Remei Group. Remei Tanzania works with around 2,000 smallholder farms in the Simiyu region of the country. They provide farmers with stable and fair payment for their organic cotton, as well as ongoing education and support in organic farming practices. 

Remei have their own ginning facility exclusively for the organic cotton grown by the smallholder farmers. This prevents any contamination from conventional cotton. They also have qualified extension officers that carry out regular quality controls. 

©Remel

With this direct-to-farm approach, we can trace the cotton’s journey from the field to the finished blank garment. This level of transparency ensures the highest quality and supports the farmers who grow our cotton. 

Never compromising on quality or sustainability 

Our quest for the finest organic cotton goes hand in hand with our commitment to sustainability. Through our meticulous sourcing process, expert knowledge, and direct relationships with farmers, we’re going above and beyond to secure the finest, most responsibly grown organic cotton.  

That’s better for the planet, better for the people in our supply chain, and better for those who buy and wear our garments. 

* Source: Textile Exchange 2023 Material Change Index  
** Source: Textile Exchange Organic Cotton Market Report 2022