As the annual Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, comfortable clothes enthusiasts have a creative way to reduce their fashion footprints.
Fabric made from melted recycled plastic chips gave a curious, nature-loving couple in Arizona a new manufacturing option. With fiber made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets, in 2015 this duo created high quality, sustainable garments that support people, the planet and all aspects of the yoga lifestyle.
"At Yoga Democracy, yoga isn’t simply physical movement. Yoga is meditation and mental health. Yoga is flowing through life. Yoga is holding space, for others and ourselves. Yoga is harmony between the outer world, and the inner world. At the end of the day, we create clothing to support every aspect of yoga, and those that practice it," says co-founder Travis Strote.
"We’re made for free range humans," he adds.
Yoga Democracy's co-founder, lead seamstress and creative captain Haley Byfield personally begins the sewing process on every single product they produce, which include leggings, shorts, sports bras, T-shirts and crop tops. A new "solids" line was just introduced.
YD clothes are made from 79% Recycled Plastic (P.E.T.) and 21% Spandex. "As part of our eco-friendly processing, we don't do any kind of pre-washing or silicone washing. This saves water and eliminates chemical runoff," explains Haley.
Holly Cannon, YV Yoga Democracy Active Wear partner, says the company's team takes every scrap of material that passes through their shop and turns it into something of use and beauty. "And we're proud to be a USA Made product."
Supporting and empowering women also is an integral part of the foundation of this sustainable, active wear alternative company.
"We aim to produce 95% of our products using recycled fibers and a low water impact in our production and supply chain. We are almost 100% vertically integrated from design to dyeing to sewing to order fulfillment; all carried out under one roof," says Haley. "Our tight supply chain allows us to keep waste to a minimum while connecting makers directly to the customers who wear the products."
Each limited-edition YD line features original artwork that showcases unique meanings, symbolism and expression. This environmentally conscious and fashion-forward team shares that they enjoy focusing on clothes that boost people's confidence while the product line helps clean the world's oceans.
info@yogademocracy.com
YogaDemocracy.com
Retail location: 7146 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 // 520.350.6070
