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Building an Environmentally Safe Clothing Business

Friday 31st of August 2007 09:27:56 PM

Hector Estrada, the owner and designer of Triko, a clothing line that sells mostly men’s clothing including shirts and T-Shirts, wanted to do more than become just another successful entrepreneur. He also wants to help the environment by making his clothing from as many natural materials as possible.

"When I started Triko, I was at a point in my life when I wanted everything I did to mean something. A lot of times as a designer, you're reminded that this career isn't rocket science and that nobody's life depends on what you do. The more I thought about it, though, I thought, 'This may not be huge, but I can use it as a vehicle to bring awareness to more important things,’” said Estrada.

After working for a few larger companies designing sportswear, Estrada started his own lable, which is now featured in many small boutiques throughout the US and Japan. But even as his business grew, Estrada did not lose sight of what was important to him. “We try to use as many sustainable resources as possible. In the near future we plan to use only sustainable materials,” he said.

Even though environmental concerns is one of the top priorities for Estrada as he continues to build his business, his main goal is to show that people can find wearable clothing and still help protect natural resources. “I want people to wear clothes that they feel cool about, but also supporting something bigger than just nice clothes. It's my little way of making a difference,” he said. Currently, the company uses recycled materials including coconut shells to make buttons and organic cotton whenever possible.

(c)Zeeshan Qureshi, www.sxc.hu