When Rachel Karioki moved back to the United States after more than a decade working aboard, she set out to live a more sustainable lifestyle. That meant purchasing products from brands that were both socially and environmentally responsible. But Karioki is an avid tennis player and when it came to active wear, finding sustainable alternative was a challenge.
“I found I had a lot of resources for a more sustainable approach to everyday living, but clothing was a tougher nut for me to crack,” Karioki said. “Athletic wear was an area that I really struggled to find sustainable brands.”
With that in mind, Karioki decided to launch Tampa-based Court Bottoms, an active wear brand that strives to provide its customers with ethically made and sustainably sourced apparel.
As its name suggests, Court Bottoms is geared towards tennis players. The company offers three products designed for performance on the court: a skirt, cowl neck top and V-neck top.
“We put a lot of thought into the materials we use,” said Karioki.
Court Bottoms apparel are stitched together with rayon from bamboo, merino wool, spandex and recycled polyester, which is made when plastic waste is melted and made into a fiber. The process “takes something that's already in existence and repurposes it,” Karioki said. “Although it’s not as sustainable as a natural fiber, it is a good compromise for what we’re looking for.”
Karioki launched the self-funded company earlier this year. And although the playing field for ethical fashion is getting crowded, with brands like Girlfriend Collective and Alternative Apparel offering sporty, eco-conscious options, she thinks her brand stands out. Where many other companies use organic cotton in their clothing, Karioki said she chose rayon bamboo because it uses less water to produce.
Karioki credits two films, “The River Blue” and “The True Cost,” with being instrumental in her decision to launch a sustainable fashion brand. Issues discussed in the films include the micro-plastic byproduct of synthetic clothing, such as polyester, which can leach into the water system.
Court Bottoms works with manufacturers in the United States that “share our values with regard to providing safe working conditions and fair wages for employees,” Karioki said. The company uses manufacturers in Oldsmar, Fla. and St. Paul, Minn.
One of her company’s biggest challenges involves pricing for its apparel, which range from $60 to $90.
“We hold true to our values with regard to manufacturing and sustainable sourcing, which means our prices are higher,” she said. To offset those prices, the company focuses on direct-to-consumer marketing, but customers may still get sticker shock when they compare prices with fast-fashion brands.
Karioki said she communicates this with her customers whenever possible. “If you as a brand are not paying close attention to the different pieces of the supply chain, you can't guarantee that anyone else will,” she said. “We are committed to making sure that we are not contributing to an ongoing problem of pollution in fashion.”
