Fashion and e-commerce are notoriously bad for the environment, with big brands often favouring the cheapest option, whatever the cost. Born Hybrid co-founders, Ashley and Emily, knew there could be a better way.
After two years of research, they have sourced innovative solutions to many of the problems associated with fast fashion. This small startup proves that affordable clothing doesn’t have to mean synthetic fibres, cheap labour and polluting factories.
Born Hybrid’s range of eco T-shirts are made from super soft, natural plant fibres. Their garments are soft to the touch, anti bacterial, and their organic fibres use far less water and pesticides to produce than regular cotton.
“Our T-shirts are manufactured using renewable energy and feature highly detailed graphic designs, printed using non-toxic inks” explains co-founder, Ashley. For good measure, Born Hybrid fund the purchase of 20 square metres of forest for every T-shirt sold, protecting it for future generations.
“We are exceptionally careful about how our items are presented—we’ve swapped out polluting plastic mail bags and parcel tape for recyclable alternatives” says co-founder and designer, Emily Browne. In addition to sustainable packaging, Born Hybrid gives buyers the choice of receiving their parcel by ship rather than air mail, to reduce their carbon footprint.
The fashion industry has faced scrutiny in recent years from human rights activists. Sources suggest that garment workers are often underpaid and have to endure poor working conditions. This came to the public’s attention in 2013, after the collapse of the Rana Plaza, an eight-story garment factory in Bangladesh, resulting in the deaths of 1,134 people. Born Hybrid state that their apparel is Fair Wear foundation certified, offering consumers assurance that garment workers have been paid fairly and work in safe conditions.
Environmentalists have also criticised fashion brands for their cheap production methods and poor choice of fabrics. Factories pump out vast amounts of C02, contributing to global warming. Petroleum based synthetic fabrics are non-biodegradable and cause long-term pollution through the release of plastic micro-fibres. On top of this, consumers are encouraged to buy more every week, with an estimated £140 million worth of clothing heading to landfill in the UK each year.
There are many flaws in the fashion industry, which will take years to fix. However, we are not totally powerless, as Ashley explains: “by avoiding fast fashion, we can exercise activism through our wallets. We need to take a leaf out of our grandparents’ book, and make and mend instead of throwing away. Make buying clothes an occasional event, not part of your weekly shop. Swap out our weekly hauls of low quality clothes for charity shop finds, swapping with friends and occasionally splashing out on high quality ethical clothing.”
The company are currently at 59% of their Kickstarter goal and you can view their project here: www.kickstarter.com
Useful links
Click here for images (attribution: Born Hybrid): drive.google.com
Kickstarter campaign: www.kickstarter.com
Born Hybrid website: bornhybrid.com
Facebook: facebook.com/bornhybrid
Twitter: twitter.com/bornhybrid
Sample social update
UK streetwear brand @BornHybrid are providing innovative solutions to fashion’s biggest problems. The sustainable startup are live on Kickstarter. Choose from detailed designs, eco friendly fabrics & find a style that suits you.
About Born Hybrid
Born Hybrid is a sustainable clothing brand based in Bristol, UK. From eco-friendly fabric choices to plastic-free packaging, they strive to be environmentally responsible at every stage of production. Plus, for every T-shirt sold they buy 20 square metres of rainforest, which is then protected for future generations.
You can support the work of this exciting new startup by checking out their latest Kickstarter campaign. They are looking to raise £4000 to fund their first line of graphic T-shirts, made from wood-pulp and organic cotton. Illustrated by streetwear artist and project co-creator Emily Browne, these intricate designs feature vulnerable or endangered species, helping to bring awareness to their declining numbers.
Press contact
Name: Emily Browne
Email: info@bornhybrid.com
