When the Iroquois joined their 5 smaller tribes into one, an arrow was given to each tribe. One arrow is easily broken, but when you put all five together, it is almost impossible to break. This became a symbol of their strength through unity. I love that sentiment and it rings to true to me in so many ways. Everyone can benefit from each other's strengths and knowledge if we are united. My clothi
ng could not be made without the labor of people growing the cotton, raising the sheep, working in the textile mills and notions factories, and countless other things that are too easy to overlook today. At 13Arrows, I am dedicated to using only American-made materials in my clothing, from the fabric to the snaps and buttons. Most fabric today is made in Asia because of the lack of government restrictions on labor, safety, and environmental standards. By buying American-made products, you know that the people who were working had government protection and regulated wages, that laws exist to decide what is dumped into our rivers, and that fossil fuels weren't used to ship anything across an ocean to get here. By purchasing American-made products, I am showing my support for everyone involved in the process and for the companies that are keeping their mills here instead of outsourcing. 13Arrows is my contribution to an environmentally and socially responsible way of doing business while making quality clothing for the conscientious consumer. Every piece of clothing is made to order. When you buy something from me, you know that someone sewed it from start to finish with attention to detail. This means that every shirt is unique in some way from any other shirt. To me, this individuality is a component of the connection I like to feel between the things I buy, the individuals that make them, and the world we're all a part of.
