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We’re on a mission to create high-quality, outdoor clothing that respects both people and planet. As you know, the natural fibers that go into our clothing have meant everything to us since we founded PAKA in Peru 8 years ago. Today, we’re excited to unveil our new collection of supersoft graphic tees made from 100% Organic Peruvian Pima Cotton. Before we show you the tees we’re releasing (which we know you’re going to dig), we wanted to transparently share with you where the fiber comes from, the people behind it, and what makes it so special.
A Natural Fit (Literally)
Evolving right alongside the native alpacas we know and love, the Organic Pima Cotton we use comes from heirloom seeds planted in the rainforest regions of Peru. This means the seeds are a natural fit to grow here, thriving like the true locals they are.
By comparison, when farming is done in the U.S. and Egypt (where seeds need to be imported despite being the two largest cotton producers in the world), it can easily take numerous cycles of fertilization to be successful, which damages the land. Pima on the other hand? Only three cycles needed. And because of that, Peruvian farmers can be more intentional in what they use—fertilizing with natural options rather than synthetics.
Pima also thrives because it’s often grown in the rainforest region of the country. But if you’re thinking of picturesque tree canopies full of screeching monkeys and flocks of birds, fear not! These areas of the rainforest are far away from any natural reserves, and have long been used as ancestral farmlands. As a huge bonus, growing here allows for extremely efficient water use (they call it a rainforest for a reason after all).
Picture a Cotton Farm in Your Mind…
When you think of cotton farming, the first thing that pops up probably isn’t Pima. And that’s a good thing! Because as it turns out, traditional methods are tried and true for a reason.
- Rather than sprawling fields of cotton as far as the eye can see, the organic cotton farmers of Peru grow on 3-acre plots as opposed to 300. This helps protect the natural footprint of the land they honor and respect.
- Smaller fields also mean less insect attacks. And when bugs do become a pest, they can be handled with more responsible methods.
- These farmers often use crop rotation methods, switching between things like cotton and corn rather than keeping the same crops in the same plots each season. Doing this saves the soil from becoming leached. In fact, with each new crop, fresh nutrients are left behind, so the soil is always rich and ready to grow.
- It may not be the fastest way to farm, but Organic Pima Cotton farmers harvest crops by hand rather than machine. This not only preserves the nature of the Pima fiber, but protects the integrity of the land as well.
An Organic Partnership
Organic Pima Cotton is clearly beneficial to the environment, but just as important is how it positively impacts the farmers and their families—who receive financial premiums in addition to fair pay for their work.
To make our new graphic tee collection, PAKA and Cotton Nation partner with ~2000 Peruvian farmers, providing them with the tools they need to be successful: Pima Cotton seeds, organic fertilizer, and expert engineers to ensure everything is being done correctly.
And by partnering with Cotton Nation, we can feel confident that these three organic cotton farming conditions are being met:
- Only non-GMO farming practices are utilized
- Only organic fertilizers are used, never synthetic
- Only farmed in locations that allow for natural, organic growth
"Our partnership with PAKA is founded with the same principles as us: to serve the world with the best quality materials while empowering low-scale farmers and their families. This will help bring more opportunities for the farmers and their communities.” Augusto Cespedes, CEO and Owner, Inperca
"Our partnership with PAKA is founded with the same principles as us: to serve the world with the best quality materials while empowering low-scale farmers and their families. This will help bring more opportunities for the farmers and their communities.” Augusto Cespedes, CEO and Owner, Inperca
Now Meet Your New Favorite Tee
Responsibly grown and harvested, Organic Pima is clearly a cut above the rest when it comes to cotton. Now, let’s find out why the fiber itself makes for a truly amazing tee.
Pima has an extra-long staple fiber, which makes it better suited to spin yarn with than more common cottons. This also means that the soft, breathable fabric of your new graphic tee is a lot more durable and long-lasting than those made from other cotton varieties (and everybody wants their favorite tee to stick around, right?) It also doesn’t shrink like the cotton clothes you’ve dealt with in the past—score!
What makes this fabric even more special is our unique pigment dyeing process we’ve developed which uses a washing, color application, and tumble drying technique to give this premium fabric a lived-in look and feel from day one. It also means that no two styles are exactly alike, so your tee is truly one of a kind.
The first round of our graphic tees release this Friday, 8am PT. Only 200 of each design.
See you soon!
