Carbon Zero Clothing
Redondo Beach, Calif., is home to Carbon Zero Clothing, a new venture from investment banker turned apparel executive John Calcagnini. The company, which launched in 2008 as a maker of eco-friendly T-shirts for men and women, has earned several certifications for its products, including one from Oeko-Tex and the Soil Association.
“We use only 100 percent certified organic cotton,” Calcagnini said. The line, which keeps its offerings narrow to two styles of T-shirts and one hoodie each for men and women, produces its T-shirts in an Indian factory that is powered by wind energy. The company uses eco-friendly dyes on the T-shirts and screenprints them with images that pay tribute to music (Calcagnini’s other interest) or the environment.
Calcagnini said he believes the brand’s appeal will blur retail borders. Currently selling his T-shirts online at his own e-store and at TJ Maxx, Calcagnini said his next and ultimate target is the specialty-store market. With wholesale prices ranging from $15 for T-shirts to $25 for hoodies, he said he’ll separate the two disparate distribution avenues by offering each unique designs. “There won’t be overlap between what I offer each [market],” he said. For more information, call (310) 415-1993. —Erin Barajas
