Behind the Threads | Little Cottonwood Collection

When Little Cottonwood Collection was in the beginning stages of its life, providing quality products was the top priority in mind. Quality starts at thread level and we wanted the softest, best fitting graphic tees for our brand that showcased our thoughtful and creative design. Not only did we want a quality manufactured product that was durable and luxurious, it was very important to us that they were manufactured ethically and sustainably. Made in America? Even better. And we found the perfect match.

We have great pride in the products we offer to our customers. Everything from our baby bodysuits to our graphic tees are produced ethically in socially-compliant WRAP-certified factories that are USA strong, sweatshop-free, child labor-free and committed to maintaining and upholding responsible workplace and environmental standards. Our apparel is made responsibly with commitment to minimize our ecological footprint at every stage of the production process. They are made with exceptional quality, superior softness, and some of the best fitting tees in the world so you can shop with confidence. 

*What is WRAP? Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production is a globally recognized, independent 3rd party certifying body whose mission is to promote ethical, humane and lawful conditions and practices in all manufacturing facilities.

The secret to the buttery softness of our tees? It all starts with the cotton, which is a signature airlume cotton that is combed and ringspun, eliminating impurities until it meets the high standards of the manufacturer. Raw cotton is naturally very rough and dirty, and those impurities are what make some t-shirts feel very itchy and uncomfortable. Our cotton is 2.5x cleaner than your standard cotton tee, which you can immediately see and feel as soon as you put on your skin. Another key component is the long staple cotton that is used, which keeps the yarn tighter-knit and smoother, even on a microscopic level - this creates the perfect canvas for a graphic print! The purity and composition of the cotton fibers are what make this the highest quality cotton on the market, and ultimately why these tees are so loved and adored. Once the cotton has reached satisfactory standards, it is then dyed with eco-friendly dyes and efficient dye machines to create the most beautiful selections of colors that are available today, while also using 7x less water than average clothing manufacturers. The water used then goes through a filtration system that allows it to be recycled and leaves no harmful chemicals or pollutants behind that would ultimately damage ecosystems. 

Many manufacturers are notorious for being wasteful and harming the environment throughout their production process. Based out of California, Bella+Canvas focuses on sustainable practices and has implemented innovative technologies to make a positive impact on the environment while also giving back to our communities and leaving it better than they found it. They strive to reduce water and energy usage and having virtually zero waste. They have high efficiency machines that use less water (saving over 24 million gallons a week!), their warehouses are powered with the solar energy (with over 240,000 square feet of solar panels), and they recycle everything so nothing goes wasted.  Bella+Canvas encourages their employees to practice even the smallest habits to eliminate waste and pollution. All fabric, plastic, bottles, paper, etc are recycled in every office and warehouse. Damaged or unusable fabrics are repurposed into making other products such as pillow stuffing or dog bed filling. We at Little Cottonwood Collection also recycle everything we use in our production process and encourage our customers to continue to reuse and recycle by donating or handing down clothing that is outgrown or no longer needed. 

Bella+Canvas is based out of Los Angeles California, where all the fabric dyeing and cutting takes place. This is the largest dye/cutting facility in the world. They also have warehouses in South America where the products are sewn. They treat their employees well and have a really fun and unique culture. They stand by their motto to "Be Different", which has set them apart from any other manufacturer in the industry. They choose to put the Earth first before anything else, and we think that's super cool. Not only do they produce the highest quality tees while offering the latest color and style trends, they send a powerful and impactful message and are committed to bettering the world and we couldn't be happier to be apart fo their journey. 

 Who knew all the components that goes into making what seems like a simple t-shirt? The reality of it is, it's the attention to the small details that create the perfectly crafted t-shirt with the best look, fit, feel and overall quality that makes it so special, and the way it's manufactured is so important and valuable. We hope you find value in our products and the story behind where they come. Our goal is to bring you comfort, add a little joy to every day life and create memorable occasions.

Thanks for reading and happy shopping!

-LCC