Organic cotton isn't so organic after all!

A New York Times investigation shows that organic cotton is not so organic after all. This news was a shock to us. Indeed, since 2004, we have been offering you certified organic cotton lingerie. And now we learn that the certificate may not be real. Cold shower.

How did this happen?

First of all, this concerns cotton exclusively from India. Today, India accounts for 50% of organic cotton imports and is one of the world's leading producers of organic cotton. Yet, not all of it is organic. We have already talked about India and the scourge of GMO cotton, and now we find ourselves with organic cotton that isn't. It's important to know that organic cotton costs more than conventional cotton. Normally, there's a lower yield (about 28% less than conventional). So, we buy a more expensive product that, in the end, isn't. Great.

Whose fault is it? Doubtless, it's the fault of this opaque and corrupt certification system. To simplify, the first step, which should guarantee the use of organic cotton, is not right. Indeed, certification bodies send "inspectors" to inspect farms, test seeds for GMO contamination... There is a certificate confirming that it's OK. It is then sent to clothing manufacturers and then to brands. And that's where the problem arises. A company can sell a pile of conventional cotton as a pile of organic cotton, and no one will check. And above all, there will be a fake certificate for the so-called "organic" cotton.

To be honest, that sentence hit me like a punch to the gut. From the beginning, we've been using organic cotton precisely so that farmers don't get into debt. And it turns out that's not true?!

Learn more about organic cotton

What avenues should we explore?

Should we stop using organic cotton? Because in the end, who gets rich? The intermediaries, not the producers. Especially when we advocate responsible, ethical values. Knowing that the cotton we buy isn't actually what we're sold makes me lose hope. Even though what we do is an alternative to fashion.

The other option would be to work directly with producers. Basically, set up our own supply chain. But that's only possible for fashion giants. With our small volume, we won't be able to do anything.

Or consider introducing materials other than organic cotton. We've thought about it before and never followed through, but it's true that linen, which is a French material, could work. To date, we've never been truly enthusiastic.

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