How hard is it to truly make a sustainable t-shirt?

This is the question we started with when we undertook our third project. The first thing that came to mind is, well first we need something that people, meaning men and women, would want to wear. If the design and the style don't work then who cares where and how it is made? So we laid down a few ground rules for the first manufacturing project.

1) The design must be jammin'.
2) The shirt must be made from a sustainable fiber. (Organic Cotton or Bamboo)
3) No toxins could be used in the dying or screenprinting of the shirt.
4) Thread must be made from Organic cotton.
5) All persons involved must be paid a sustainable and legal wage for their efforts.
6) No animals are to be harmed in any fashion during the process.
7) All manufacturing processes must be offset by carbon credits as Los Angeles still works on the grid.
8) Minimize transportation to "bare" minimum... meaning source fiber grown and spun in the U.S. and knit, dyed, screened, sewn and finished in Los Angeles.
9) Sell the shirts for $20 and turn a profit. (600 piece first run) As you can imagine, it is one thing to ask for these things and it is another story to ensure them to be truth. For our first run we decided to interview all parties involved, however we would not conduct physical tracking of the supply chain in version one due to limited cost, time and volume constraints. Inspections of facilities from knitting through finishing would be conducted to ensure the basic terms were met. As of 4/17/08 we have our design. Please contact us with feedback. Currently sourcing and research is being conducted to ensure smooth production and success of the project.

See the Barefaced Sustainable T-Shirt Gallery for Photos and Closeups of the art.