Cash Crop Clothing is a 100% organic clothing line, with a major focus on cut and quality. Their aim is to ‘Bring quality to the streets' through the use of recycled and organic materials to construct a clean fit. Cash Crop's designer Courtney Ogilvie, gives Joonbug, an exclusive insight, into what to expect next from the brand and explains why, she is so passionate about the use of organic materials in fashion.

Tell me about your background.

CO: Well, my father was involved in the garment industry. He had a lot of enthusiasm for clothing and I guess that enthusiasm is something I picked up from him. So, that was my base. In terms of fashion, I taught myself the details of design and production.

Did you work in fashion prior to ‘Cash Crop'?

CO: Yes, I worked for many years in the skate and active clothing wear market. I worked with some large, well known brands for many years. I won't mention whom, but it was men's clothing.

Men's clothing.....I have to admit I was shocked to discover you were female, ‘Cash Crop' being a men's brand.

CO: Many people are shocked to find out I am female, when they see Cash Crop clothes, but I really like the structure and finish of men's clothing. Women's clothes are very different to design. For me it's a personal choice.

Based on that, am I right to assume that you won't be expanding into women's wear? Or do you see that happening at some point in the future?

CO: It's funny you should ask me that question, as  we are set to launch a women's wear brand in Fall 2011.Its a completely separate brand to Cash Crop, but is still associated to it. There are similarities....So put a note in your calendar: Fall 2011!

Sounds exciting! I will look out for that.

CO: Going back to the topic of Cash Crop, what was your initial brand concept?

Our concept was to create a men's boutique clothing line, made purely from organic and recycled materials that was fashion forward. Fashion forward was very important to us.

I know what you mean. A lot of organic clothing lines are just not very fashionable.

CO: No, they are not and I really wanted to get away from that ‘baggy hemp pants and sandals' organic clothing cliché. My first love in life is fashion .My business partners, first love is the environment. We wanted to combine the two, but in strictly that order.

Interesting name 'Cash Crop' what are its origins?

CO: My business partner came up with the idea of calling our brand ‘Cash Crop'. A cash crop is a crop which makes money. Coffee for example, is the biggest selling cash -crop in the world.  So our brand name relates to the organic structure of our clothing...... Also of course, like all clothing designers, we aim to make money from our crop (our clothing).

Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?

CO: My inspiration comes partly from my life. As an adolescent I loved brands like Fred Perry, but I was also very much into skate and street wear. I take a lot of inspiration from that. I also take inspiration from around the globe. With our collection for example, we have combined, what is traditionally an American color palette with the European emphasis for fit. This means that if someone buys a medium from us -for example-they know they are buying a true medium and are not taking home something that won't fit.

I notice that you use a lot of organic materials in your items such as soy. Can you tell me a bit about how soy works, in regards to clothing?

CO: Soy acts as oil. We use it instead of regular oil in our ink print T shirts, for example. But a lot of people don't want to use it because it's an expensive product, which is a shame.

Are organic products generally more expensive?

CO: They are slightly more expensive, yes. But that is not a reason to not use them. The cost outweighs the benefit to our environment. Also, the end product is generally much more durable. Organic cotton for example, is much stronger and longer lasting than regular cotton. So even if you pay $10 more for an organic cotton T shirt, bear in mind it's going to last you 10x longer, than the non organic version.

Can you tell me about any other, interesting organic or re-cycled materials, you plan to use in the future?

CO: Yes. PDT is very interesting. It's recycled plastic, but it actually feels and looks exactly like leather. Also we have used re-cycled wool in our current collection, which is re-claimed scrap wool, sourced from wool factories. Our current collection is about recycling, encouraging people to be pro active and re-use. Our first collection was based around organic farming. 

Interesting...So, what sort of materials did you use in your first collection to promote organic farming?

CO: We used products such as organic cotton. We also shot our first catalogue on an old Cotton Mill to push the point. But of course, people can't just go out and start an organic farm! However, they can recycle! If you are wearing a jacket made from recycled plastic bottles, for example, it's going to remind you to recycle your bottles at home isn't it? You can contribute to the environment that way.

How would you like the fashion industry to change?

CO: I would like the fashion industry to become more aware of the environment and really push eco friendly products. The industry needs to take more responsibility over the goods they put out and stop making excuses for why they don't use more organic or recycled materials.

I noticed on your website your promotion of the ‘Post No Bills S.L.A.T.E' event which took place in February. Would you like to get more involved with these types of promotions and events in the future?

CO: Definitely, I am very keen to get more involved with environmental events and promotions. That is something we have in production right now and you will see more of on our website in the future.

I notice you have some of your merchandise in El Mercado in LA, any plans to expand to further stores in LA?

El Mercado is our main outlet in LA, but we also have our goods' in two other LA based store's : Kingsbury and Blackmarket. Yes, we want to expand to other stores, who wouldn't?

Any further comments you would like to address to ‘Joonbug' readers?

CO: I just want people to know that I am not trying to re-invent the wheel here. It's not like I am trying to do something completely crazy. My aim is to create staple men's wardrobe pieces, using organic and recycled products. It's a simple aim, but one that I am determined to achieve.

http://www.cashcropclothing.com/