Q&A with Playtime

TANE organics recently exchanged a sustainability-focused Q&A with Playtime, the world's largest kids' fashion & lifestyle tradeshow for independent brands and professionals buyers. Read on to learn more about TANE's sustainability practices and find TANE at Playtime in New York this February. 

Playtime: Please introduce yourself and Tane Organics.
Creative director and founder Sheree Lee saw a blank space in the market, 16 years ago.  TANE organics was born with the intention of offering a well curated, heirloom designed children’s wear collection, focused on the luxurious quality of organic cotton.  Chemical free, naturally grown organic fiber is at the core of TANE organics’ offering.  After decades in the ready-to-wear space, Lee used her design skills and expertise by mentoring and partnering with fair trade artisans in Peru.  TANE organics has continuously crafted a variety of collections, made not only from organic cotton, but also from baby alpaca, which is indigenous to the Peruvian Andes.

Playtime: How do you produce sustainably?
TANE products are produced using GOTS certified organic cotton.  This means, at an environmental level, the organic cotton fibers are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.  The use of organic farming also means it protects farm workers, water quality and soil erosion.  Using GOTS certified low-impact dyes, TANE’s fabrics and yarns are Azo dioxide free, and finished using a non-toxic process.  

TANE’s partnership with Peruvian artisans supports fair trade practices and celebrates our commitment to fair trade wages and mutual creative exchanges.  We believe that mentoring and providing work elevates ones' self esteem and confidence, therefore creating a kinder, more community-driven business.  Our business model promotes greater innovation with steady growth and stability based on respect and trust.

TANE is proud to create and produce well-crafted products that can be passed on, shared, and treasured intentionally.  Producing in small batches means more attention to detail and perfection.  Collectively, we can circulate quality clothing to continue telling stories and to lighten our impact on planet earth.

Playtime: Can you tell us about the materials you use? 
GOTS certified organic cotton for all seasons and baby alpaca for winter.

Playtime: How do you incorporate fair trade into your process?
TANE follows the fair trade guideline by paying a fair living wage for all of our artisans.  We inspect and ensure safe and healthy conditions for workers, including cottage industry set-ups where artisans can work in homes.  TANE provides consistent work, especially during challenging times, so artisans can have continuous work and pay.  

Playtime: You define your products as “Sustainable luxury”. Can you explain what this means?
TANE believes in integrating environmental, ethical, and social responsibility into luxury products.  Our focus on quality, longevity, and craftsmanship while minimizing negative impacts equates to sustainable luxury.  Sustainable luxury means transparency, fairness, and the integrity of great design.  We value this process in delivering a high-end product, intended to be circulated for an extended lifecycle.  We believe that our support of positive environmental and community outcomes makes TANE products more than just a purchase. 

Playtime: What makes Tane Organic’s production process unique? 
16 years ago, there weren’t many brands with the intention or skill to seek out and to establish a meaningful creative exchange such as those TANE does today.  Our strength in textile, fabric and stitch development, made for an easy transition to explore collaboration by designing products to market.  It alway starts by mindfully designing fabric and stitches, and assuring high quality material.  It has always been about mutual growth and elevation of artisans' crafts and visibility.  This trust continues today.

Playtime: How do you take care of the products you put into the market after they’re no longer wearable?
In a way, this issue has taken  care of itself with the rise of awareness over sustainability combined with newer technologies, as we continuously see TANE products in resale marketplaces.

Playtime: Are there any areas you’re striving to improve in terms of sustainability? 
We are exploring ways to partner with circular market places where we can connect the TANE community to recycle-to-repurchase options.

Playtime: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your sustainability story?
As TANE’s founder and creative lead, I feel strongly that sustainability is a commitment which demands consistency.  We have worked diligently to earn the trust of our partners and to sustain our collections, even during periods of hardships.  Our quality and service continue to meet expectations.  The longevity of our brand means the world to me.  I thank not only our fair trade artisans but also our long time and new buyers who have shared this sustainable journey with me.