RYAN EDMOND TALKS TRUE THREADS

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

What do you want people to think about when they see the True Threads label?

When growing up, brands always had such a huge impact on my life. From soccer, to skateboarding and later surfing, it’s crazy how a brand can play such a huge role in inspiring, particularly a young, person’s life. True Threads is a brand that is in harmony with the environment, we love the outdoors and want to promote an outdoor kind of lifestyle. That being in nature surfing, skateboarding or just for your everyday wear. We are both surfers and snowboarders so we have always loved that type of fashion.

Co-founding this label with your partner, Rebecka Drake, how was everything first set up?

Initially we came across a 60/40 t-shirt that we absolutely loved, it was made from forty percent polyester from recycled plastic bottled out of the ocean and sixty percent recycled organic cotton, the tee was super comfy and had a great fit, this is when we also made our own first ever True Threads tee which was with a 60/40 logo, we were super proud to represent this t-shirt although with recent research we read that the plastic microfibers are making it through your washing machine filters and essentially back into the ocean. Which is extremely bad as the microfibers are so small that they are impossible to clean out of the ocean so the fish eat them and then in the end they end up back in our food. After more research, we decided to switch to hundred percent organic cotton products instead, which we also love. We do still use recycled polyester in products where you do not need to wash them regularly, such as recycled cooking aprons or bags!

So fashion’s harm to nature pushed you?

Once we began learning about the clothing industry and the negative impact it has not only on our planet but also the severely underpaid wages and the dangerous working conditions, we decided we wanted to do something. Did you for example know that it takes up to 2700 liter of water to make only one t-shirt? That's enough for one person to drink for 900 days! Pretty scary. Ninety-five percent of the water used for our organic t–shirts comes from the monsoon rainfall and has a ninety percent reduction on the carbon footprint. Living as sustainable as we can has also been a huge interest for both of us so we felt excited to be able to combine these interests.

Being certified under the Global Organic Textile and Global Recycle-standards as well as being part of Fair Wear, what does all these badges really entail?

We are super proud that all of our True Threads product carry so many badges, for example the Global Organic Textile and Global Recycle Standards that you mention, this cover all of the steps from the production, processing and manufacturing all the products to packaging, labelling and distribution to ensure that no harm has been done during the whole process. And the Fair Wear Foundation is an independent and non-profit organization whose whole main focus is to improve the working conditions in the textile industry. Everyone on this planet has a right to a safe and a healthy work environment, to be paid a living-wage and to fair working hours and to be free from any harassment. This is something we really want to promote and a huge part of why we started True Threads in the beginning.

How fashion-aware were you while growing up in Rockingham?

During high school we were all told about sweatshops and what brands to stay away from in some regards. Although I never looked to deeply into it all. I just bought my clothes from skate and surf shops and also second hand shops. My brother was the king at second hand-treasures. (Laughs) So I would usually just borrow his finds!

For many people, there just is not enough time in the day to think about anything beyond what looks good. Educating oneself isn’t always on the agenda when you're in the store. Where, in fact, more responsible brands are also less available to begin with?

Yes this is a hundred percent true. It is extremely hard to get people to opt for an organic tee over a cheap tee, that looks the same. Although, every time someone has purchased a tee shirt from us, they are always extremely happy with how comfy it is, the quality and also just the feeling of knowing you are supporting the clothing-industry from the farmers all the way to the delivery with minimum impact on the environment. This really makes it worthwhile. We want a True Thread-product to have a long life, not falling apart after a wash and then thrown out. We always urge our customers to wash cool and hang dry our products to prolong the life of the products.

Where can people get their hands on True Threads clothing today?

We mainly sell online at our webshop but occasionally also sell at markets or at events. And If you are in Australia you can always head to the Collab Store in Fremantle Markets! If you write to us via Instagram or Facebook we will also be sure to work something out. So you can get a feel and try on your tee before you purchase! Right now we are also offering twenty-five percent of all our sustainable clothing online!

What are some of the things we will be supporting by choosing a smaller brand as yours is?

You won’t just be supporting us as a small brand, but you will more importantly be supporting a sustainable fashion industry. Fair pay, fair working conditions and no harmful chemicals in your clothing.

Now strolling into the late summer and autumn. What are your favorite colors to wear this season?

For me personally, I can’t get enough of all shades of stonewashed colors. Stonewashed green, burgundy or a nice off-white. I like all soft tones!

What is your favorite thing to bring with you in your tote bag? 

Well all the essentials! Some True Threads-reusable straws, sunglasses, a pen and book for any lyric song ideas that pop up and always a reusable drink bottle to fill up during the day!

Also being a songwriter, do you also believe that fashion is able to tell a story?

Definitely, for instance, all our stonewashed organic tees have been individually hand-dyed so that every single tee comes in a little different shade to the other. When you wear one of these products, you know it is unique and that someone has put energy in making it for you. So it is important to show where it has come from and who made it!

Do you have any fresh music coming out soon?

I sure do! I'll be releasing my debut album in the coming months. It will consist of eight tracks and I can not wait to share them with you all, it has been quite a long process so I am looking forward to release them into the world. And move on to write some new songs.

True Threads is situated both in Sweden and in Australia. Have you been able to go back home with the traveling restrictions?

Unfortunately no, it has been crazy times for sure. I was suppose to be heading back to Australia in January although now I'm not sure when I will be heading back. I think the best thing to do during this peculiar time, is to just wait it out. I know that Australia and Sweden have taken two totally different strategies on the whole thing but hopefully they all work out and everything can somewhat return too normal soon!

How have you been self-isolating this summer?

We actually bought a sailing boat beginning of summer, and have learnt how to sail all summer, so most of our weekends and holidays have been spent out in the archipelagos self-isolating (laughs). It's been so great. Although Sweden has taken a different strategy on the whole Corona epidemic, things have remained open although there have been many restrictions put in place, such as max fifty people in bars and restaurants. Therefor live music has been put on hold, you must maintain your one and a half metre distance at all times, and people who have the opportunity to work from home must adhere to this. Thankfully the numbers are starting to come down. So if people continue to stick to the guideline hopefully it will be over soon and all of us musicians can start playing live again!

We’re in a moment of slow fashion, and slow living. Are you planning any new adventures post-lockdown?

Yes! I think now more then ever the entire world is waiting to get out, and be in the nature, go to see live music and visit friends and family! We're looking forward and hoping that this winter we will be able to head up to some mountains and enjoy the nature, go snowboarding and of course play some music!