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A HISTORY OF QUALITY

Knowledge Cotton Apparel is built on 45 years of family experience in design, innovation and responsible environmental practice.

We're so excited to welcome Knowledge Cotton Apparel to the Brothers We Stand family! The Danish menswear brand has built long term partnerships with some of the best factories around the world. Together with these factories they use recycled and organic fabrics to make a stunning range of really high quality menswear including jackets, shirts, chinos and jumpers.

Knowledge Cotton Apparel's jackets are made with recycled PET plastic bottles. It takes approximately 25 bottles to make one jacket. KCA estimate that by using recycled Polyester vs. virgin Polyester the CO2 emission from production is reduced by 80%.


The brand was launched in 2008 by Jorgen Morup and his son Mads, with Mad's sister Mette heading up production. However the Morup family have been involved in the textile industry for many years and they've pulled on all this experience to create a network of responsible suppliers allowing them to produce a wide range of technical garments.

 

Knowledge Cotton Apparel's network of specialist suppliers allows them to produce chinos, shirts, jackets and other items to the highest standards.  

From the start Mads and Jørgen decided to work only with people who share their vision and values. For example KCA's shirts, knitwear and trousers have been made in the same manufacturer in Denizli, Turkey since the brand launched. Mette, who is responsible for production and sustainability at KCA, told us, “A very close and trusting cooperation has developed over the years and we are all working with our sights set on the same goal. At least once a year we travel to Turkey ourselves to make sure that every production step is proceeding as we envisage it.”

 

A few of the staff who work at Knowledge Cotton Apparel's manufacturing partner in Turkey


To provide an extra layer of assurance, KCA also work with external certifications and the factory in Denizli is GOTS certified. Mette explains, “GOTS examines every single process. If you buy a Knowledge Cotton Apparel shirt with a GOTS logo, you can be certain that all production steps – from the cotton field to the further processing of the fibers down to the dyeing factory – have been carried out in adherence to the label’s strict criteria.” 

To avoid unnecessary air miles KCA’s shirts, knits and trousers made in Denizlie are made with GOTS certified organic cotton grown in Turkey and processed in nearby Izmmir. 

To allow them to expand their range beyond those items that their Turkish partners produce, Knowledge Cotton Apparel have partnered with specialist factories around the world. The Far East is where the most advanced manufacturers working with recycled materials are found so KCA have partnered with a GRS (Global Recycle Standard) certified supplier in China who produce their jackets. In India they work with a Fair Trade supplier on t-shirts and other jersey items. They also have partners in Portugal, Lithuania and Bulgaria. 

Knowledge Cotton Apparel have developed a truly impressive operation. When asked how they’ve done it Mette says, “it is only possible because we, and all of our suppliers, have a common goal: the vision of a fair fashion world. And that’s what makes them our “factory heroes”!” It’s a refreshing response and perhaps it highlights that collaboration and a shared vision must be key components of any efforts to create a more ethical fashion industry.

 

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