Fair Trade Certification is a Strong Part of prAna’s Commitment to Clothing with Conscience

CARLSBAD, CA (October 1, 2015) — prAna – the first major apparel company in North America to offer Fair Trade Certified™ styles in partnership with Fair Trade USA – is excited to celebrate Fair Trade Month again this October. This season, prAna has 37 styles in the collection that are Fair Trade Certified. A Fair Trade Certified label signifies a good product, made with good practices.

“We are happy to offer more Fair Trade styles than ever before. We are going from nine pieces in last year’s Fall/Winter collection to 37 this season. By committing to this program, we help workers invest in themselves,” said prAna’s Director of Sustainability, Nicole Bassett. “When I visited our factory Rajlakshmi in Kolkata, India, I was able to see how workers are spending their Fair Trade premium on things to improve their families - for many people this included buying books and clothes for their kids attending school.”

Fair Trade certification for apparel and linens is the first social, economic, and environmental standard that directly benefits the farmers who grow the cotton and the workers who sew the garments. It offers companies and consumers unprecedented opportunities to positively impact the lives of these workers. It is an empowering model for the entire supply chain: cotton farmers and factory workers trying to improve their lives, factory managers who want to do the right thing, brands like prAna who want to support these efforts, and conscientious shoppers who want to make every purchase matter.

This season, prAna is proud to offer a variety of Fair Trade Certified styles including the Demure Cardigan. Thanks to its Fair Trade certification, when you purchase it, a premium will go back to the factory workers who made it for social development projects. Its mix of sweater, fleece paneling and organic cotton comes in two colorways, making it a versatile layer for work or play. The Lukas Shirt for men offers the same sustainable organic cotton and Fair Trade certification. This classic, slim-fitting shirt features a subtle print and custom engraved buttons.

“When we invest in people, we join a virtuous circle that strengthens local economies and communities, protects our shared environment, and creates high-quality products that we need and enjoy,” said Bassett. “That’s why we continue to increase the amount of sustainable and Fair Trade certified pieces in our clothing collections.”

A Fair Trade certification is just one way prAna is focused on investing in the future health of our planet, and future generations of workers. prAna’s approach to sustainability also includes manufacturing within bluesign® system guidelines, protecting workers, the environment and customers from harsh chemicals and dyes. prAna also uses recycled materials wherever possible to cut down on the processing required for new fibers, along with organic cotton which helps improve the working conditions for farmers. prAna’s Fall/Winter collection also features 88 organic cotton offerings.

Every October, prAna celebrates Fair Trade Month with Fair Trade USA. Be sure to check out www.befair.org to learn more about Fair Trade, giveaways, and find out how you can get involved.  To learn more about prAna’s commitment to sustainability, please visit prana.com.

 

About prAna: 

prAna clothing and gear is made with intention. Every detail — from trim to fabric and hangtags — is carefully designed to enhance our lives today while still considering the needs of tomorrow. For more than 22 years, this vision has been at the root of prAna’s relationships with customers and retailers. prAna clothing is designed in Southern California with style and versatility in mind. prAna is deeply committed to mitigating the impact they have on the environment every step of the way, from manufacturing to retail.  It takes special care to ensure its clothing and accessories are made in safe and fair working conditions. prAna is sold in five flagship stores, online at prana.com, and in 1,400 specialty retailers across the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. prAna is one of the portfolio brands of Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM).

For a list of prAna retailers, please visit prana.com/dealer-locator.html

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