Farm-to-Closet
When we started Christy Dawn, we just wanted to make beauty. We used deadstock because it was better for the Earth (and the most affordable).
As we grew, we realized:
Sustainability Is Not Enough.
We can’t just sustain.
So we asked ourselves:
How can we honor Mother Earth as we’ve promised to do?
How can we work together?
The answer, of course, is soil.
We stand on soil.
Replenishing the soil through regenerative practices is proven to reverse climate change.
Slide for before and after
In a giant leap of faith, Christy Dawn paid for the regeneration of 80 acres of depleted land in Erode, India. Working directly with the farmers and artisans at Oshadi Collective, we’ve been working to replenish the soil through ancient practices of regeneration and traditional wisdom.
Over the past two years,
the Christy Dawn x Oshadi Farm has:
Nourished 80 acres of land where our cotton is farmed, ginned, woven, vegetable-dyed, and block-printed using centuries-old methods in harmony with Nature.
Directly addressed climate change, successfully drawing down more than 1 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biodiversity in the soil, meaning organisms, insects and animals have returned to what was once chemically-treated, barren land.
Farmers have gained financial independence. Everyone from Farm-to-Closet was paid a living wage.
Implemented indigenous practices of regenerative agriculture and traditional artistry.
Yielded beautiful, healthy, regenerative cotton for Christy Dawn’s Farm-to-Closet Collection.
Regenerative
Cotton Fabric
The Truth Is:
We Can Stop Global Warming.
The Farm-to-Closet Collection
Shop Farm-to-Closet. Heal Mother Earth.
When you shop Farm-to-Closet, you are actively joining the Regenerative Evolution. Each purchase helps replenish even more soil, sequester even more carbon. Plus, you’re wearing a garment with reciprocity stitched into every seam. If you pay attention, you can feel it.
Where We’re Headed
We envision ourselves as land stewards first and clothing makers second. Our goal is to only make pieces that come from land we steward.
What this looks like: We take care of Mother Earth, and she takes care of us — giving us beautiful, healthy cotton that we spin into dresses. The more dresses we can sell, the more land we can steward, the more healing we can do. The cycle continues, and we’re all in it together.
“Take care of the ones who take care of you and the earth will last forever.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
Regenerative Evolution
Your questions answered:
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How does regenerative farming heal Mother Earth?
Nature is self-healing — regenerative farming fosters the plants and soil’s innate ability to build the health and resilience of their ecosystem. By using native seeds and holistic, indigenous farming practices, farmers can revitalize soil and draw down carbon. Regenerative farming not only heals the land’s immediate ecosystem but helps heal Mother Earth from climate change. -
Why India?
We chose to work with India as much as India chose to work with us. Two years ago, we started our journey towards growing regenerative cotton and immediately connected with the community at Oshadi Collective in Southern India. The synchronicity of Oshadi Collective’s expertise in light-weight cotton, natural dyes, and block prints combined with our love of flowing, effortless dresses has evolved into a beautiful collaboration. -
How did Farm-to-Closet foster mutually beneficial relationships?
As we’ve grown, we’ve come to realize that relationships are at the core of everything we do — relationships to people, to Mother Earth, and to ourselves. Our farm with Oshadi Collective in India, the cotton plants aren't burned and depleted, but grown in a way that nourishes the soil for future plants and provides farmers, spinners, weavers and dyers with a living wage, access to healthcare, opportunities for growth and education, and a method for preserving ancient practices and traditions. This in turn gave us healthy, regenerative cotton for this collection. What’s good for Mother Earth is good for us, too. -
What is Oshadi Collective and how did Christy Dawn and Oshadi Collective collaborate on Farm-to-Closet?
The farm is a collaboration between Christy Dawn and Oshadi Collective. Christy Dawn pays all farm costs — from the lease and farmers’ wages to the neem oil used as a pest repellent. Oshadi Collective has managed the farm and made sure our joint vision for a regenerative ecosystem comes to fruition. After farming, the artisans at Oshadi Collective weave, dye, and print the farm cotton, transforming it into beautiful fabric. -
Are there going to be more Farm-to-Closet collections?
Of course! Our vision is to grow Farm-to-Closet over the next few years so that all our cotton comes from regenerative farms and all of our dresses are created from direct relationships with farmers and soil. We will achieve this by investing a part of the profit from every Christy Dawn dress back into the soil with the awareness that regeneration is a continuous practice. We are excited to improve and foster even more healing in the future!