Lingerie specialist Gerhard Rösch supports the Cotton Made in Africa initiative (CmiA) for the first time with its 2014 fall/winter collection. The never out of stock (NOS) collection will be available worldwide starting from August 4, 2014. The long-established textile company from Swabia has been a partner of CmiA since June 2013 to focus on sustainably produced raw materials.
Starting August 2014, Rösch will integrate a new NOS collection as a mix and match group in single jersey 100 percent cotton made from CmiA yarn. The line will be offered in four colors, comprised of eight models and will be available worldwide. By using cotton yarn from the CmiA initiative, Rösch will support the cultivation of sustainably produced cotton in Sub-Saharan Africa. A specially designed hang tag on the product informs consumers about the work of Cotton made in Africa.
"We are working intensively on using sustainably produced material for our collection. Through our partnership with the Cotton Made in Africa initiative and thanks to our demand, we will be able to support the African cotton farmers. This is a win-win situation both for us as well as for the smallholders," said Andreas Söffker, Managing Director of Gerhard Rösch.
"The company has been increasing its efforts in developing sustainable product lines since the end of 2012. In addition to its cooperation with CmiA, the Saba project in China, from which the organic silk collection emerged, is already an integral part of the company philosophy. CEO Arnd-Gerrit Rösch explains, "With our commitment to African smallholder farmers and their families, we emphasize once more the significance of people as the center of our business activities."
The cooperation will enable Cotton made in Africa to expand its demand alliance. Currently more than 20 textile companies worldwide and 475,000 smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa participate in the initiative. Family members included, CmiA reaches over three million people in the poorest regions of the world.
