In March of 2009, two partners decided to start Bamboo Clothing Company with a handful of bamboo shirts, $500 and a road map. Their goal was to build a cottage textile company, in America, that was based on sustainable fabrics and a light environmental foot print. Their t-shirts quickly became known at festivals and artisan markets across the Pacific Northwest, for their amazing comfort, intelligent designs and unique fabrics.

The two original partners of Bamboo Clothing Company, M. Light Shields and Alexandria Rain Smith found their way to Portland in October of 2010 and found the place that, like the city, loves the outdoors and cares about the environment. They acquired their first silk screen press in February and began printing and designing their first line of clothing, Spring 2010.

As the 2010 line of clothing begins to unfold, expect to see some new amazing ideas played out in silky soft Bamboo Fabrics of all kinds. Expect to see patchwork hoodie shrugs – dyed with natural dyes like Indigo, Vintage recycled dresses, Bamboo Denim Jeans, as well as casuals and something special we are currently working on for Fall or next Spring! You’ll see!

About the Artists:

M. Shields aka. Light.. was born in Ventura CA in the early 60’s and grew up drawing from an early age. He has been marketing his art since 1995 when he began a freelance Art career on Maui. During that time he has worked with several well know artists including Jerry Jasper and Friends to produce several nationally published works.

Alexandria Rain Smith was born in Wisconsin and studied Art and Anthropology at the University of Minnesota-Morris. She has been designing clothing for the last 10 years that reflects her interests in human culture and art. Rain’s conceptualizations are truly unique to her eye for style and fabrics, while staying true to the time they are tailored in. These qualities blend to become one of the most intelligent looks, full of innocence and simplicity you’ve seen. Something new!

The Formula:

Our goal is as simple as our love for the fabrics. Our first love is putting our art into Bamboo Fabric, through printing, mixing, or designing entire lines of clothing from Bamboo… To us it’s all the same. We just love the process. Everything from making it to seeing the smile it creates in everyone who wears and enjoys them.

That said, our path and direction along this basic concept is easy. We want to let everyone find a way to satisfy their Bamboo interests, whether that’s clothing, blanks or fabrics. First we’ll begin with shirts and dresses, move through wholesale and eventually we will be able to import threads to create new fabrics, like knits and prints that are fun and holistic. Natural Dyes and fair trade or made in the US. Frankly we see a way to help the Earth to heal from mainstream collisions with the balance of our surrounding environment. So that’s what we’re doing!

It’s important we each do something to change the current paradigm of unconscious behavior; ride a bike, spend time with the people we love, and support positive environmental decisions. It is included in every part of our company, from the 18 watt bulbs in our Festival Booth to the plan to convert all our vehicles to veggie oil and our power to solar.

We are very excited about our future, our direction, with Bamboo Clothing Company. It’s exactly what we’ve always wanted to do. Create amazing things for people to enjoy! Eyes wide open!

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