Collection list
NEXT POP UP SHOPS:
Saturday May 22nd at the Cherry Creek Farmers Market : 1st ave + University blvd. from 9a -1 p
Saturday May 29th at Amethyst coffee in Lakeside : 4999 w. 44th ave. from 9a - 1 p
Round Trip Goods is a design studio + shop based in Denver, Colorado created by me, Leah Rich.
My products are hand made in small batches from post consumer cotton and dyed with botanicals and earth pigments. Round Trip is a celebration of the plant world and an experiment in creative and environmentally considerate design practices.
New items are added often so come back soon!
Why Plant Dyes?
Synthetic dyes are often single molecules with no other purpose but to color a textile. They are not dynamic and are often produced from petroleum.
Colors from plants carry the properties of the plant with them into fabric. Dyes from plants like indigo and madder root have a human history, an aliveness, and a quality of color only the natural world can provide. Some botanical dyes are even medicinal to the wearer when absorbed through the skin.
Ethically sourcing dyes is very important to me- the plants I don’t responsibly forage for, I source from Botanical Colors in Seattle.
Why Post-Consumer Cotton?
A majority of newly made textiles around the world are fabricated in often unsafe factories by underpaid workers, while approximately 5,000 gallons of water is required to produce 2 lbs of new cotton clothing (wwf study). Bypassing new fabric production eliminates supporting these ethical and environmental inequalities.
I opt out of this new production industry and search the Colorado area for second hand 100% cotton fabric in good condition to use for my products. This also helps curb shipping and packaging waste. I then wash, scour, dye, cure, and wash fabric again before it gets to you, using a fraction of water and resources in the process.
Origin Story
I grew up in wooded neighborhoods of Kentucky, playing outside, drawing, and building and making stuff. I went to a number of different schools, in and out, unmotivated to start a 'career' until 10 years of food service jobs started loosing their luster. A dear friend told me about industrial design school, how it was like a mix of art and engineering. It sounded perfect for us and we started school together in 2012.
After graduating with a BS in Industrial Design I worked in product and event design. A handful of years in these industries left me disenchanted with the normalcy of material waste and machismo culture while I knew deep down, I still wanted to keep designing. It became obvious to me that I needed to carve my own path, letting my values and instinct to lead the way.
I combined my love of textiles, the living world, and sustainable design to create Round Trip Goods. I am fortunate enough to work from a small studio and garage space at home in Denver, Colorado. Round Trip Goods LLC is founded by me, Leah Rich with huge help from my partner Jasper Segal. Designing with nature connects me to the living world, to the seasons, and I hope to bring that 'plant power' to others through my work.
Design Philosophy
I design for multi-functionality and a low waste lifestyle while letting botanicals play a big role. Letting nature take the lead and eliminating the desire for perfection makes room for surprises while dyeing that are more rewarding than following a strict design process.
Patterns for products are derived from templates that allow for modularity in production while minimizing waste. I look to continually improve my dyeing and design skills as well as my ethical and earth conscious practices through life-long learning, waste centered design, and building community.
My goal is to provide beautiful, honestly made, unique products that can join you on your various daily tasks and adventures while connecting both of us to nature in the process.
Slow Fashion for All
Round Trip Goods is about providing items for every body size and shape and all items are free from gendered labels.
I offer second-hand, revived with plant dye, cotton clothes in all shapes, styles, and sizes.
Each piece of clothing is one of a kind and a labor of love without supporting the ethical wrongs of the fast fashion industry. Slow Fashion is something I believe in as a practice to enjoy, not a perfection to attain. As Vivienne Westwood says, "Buy less, choose well, make it last"
From tank tops to sweaters, all clothing items are available year round rather than following seasonal trends. It's always hot (or cold) somewhere!
Reducing Waste & Rethinking Systems
Shopping second hand, small business, and local first rather than supporting big companies for all studio needs is one of the ways I help reduce my environmental impact while also voting with my money. Minimizing the consumption of new materials, shipping costs, packaging materials are tangible everyday practices that add up.
Our shipping envelopes are pre-used from packages we have received in the past. The dyes and binding string are made of safe, biodegradable materials. I divert the vast majority of materials used back into production needs and product creation and constantly work to minimize my landfill contribution.
Education regarding sustainability is integral to my work, as I know that there's always room for improving our relationship to the earth.
Patreon Support Makes Magic Happen
If you feel passionate about womxn entrepreneurship or sustainable practices in fashion and art and have as little as $3 a month to spare, consider becoming a Patreon Member.
Members help me survive in a very real way by contributing what they can monthly.
Patrons see new products first, have exclusive access to design insight and processes, foraged color tests, and behind the scenes in my studio.
Members also get a copy of the quarterly zine mailed to them every season!
FAQs & Good To Know Information
SHIPPING : Items in stock will ship out within 2 days unless I am traveling. If I am away from my merchandise (most likely on a short trip to help out with family needs) I will have a notice at the top of the page of the next soonest ship date.
RETURNS: We do not do returns but are happy to exchange items if you are not satisfied with a new item in the first 30 days. We strive to show items accurately and with enough detail to convey each items' qualities. Proper care of products will ensure a long life of the item and it's infused colors. If you have any questions about an item, don't hesitate to email us.
MARKET DAYS: On days where I am selling goods at a market or pop up, items will be off the website, as soon as I am back in the studio with updated inventory, items will back online!
SKIN SENSITIVITY: I use only biodegradable, non-toxic, planet safe soaps and fabric softeners to make sure our fabrics are safe for all skin types (our favorite is 7th generation products). Most plant dyes we use have almost no record of allergies but do please make sure you are not allergic to any of the plants used in our dyes before wearing our textiles on your own skin. While natural dyes are often much safer than synthetic for the skin, and can even be medicinal when worn, some people are allergic to certain plants.
LOW INCOME OPTIONS / TRADES & BARTERING : Because money isn't everything and I believe we all have skills and gifts to share, I happily do trades and barters for goods and services. I have traded my wares for pottery, stained glass, tai chi lessons, and clothes from other makers. Feel free to email me if you want to make a trade!
Product Care
In short, "Hand made? Hand wash." Round Trip Goods are embedded with living plant dyes and will change with you over time. This is natural and part of the journey of the fabric and plant infusion. Some colors darken, some lighten, some shift from pinks to reds or blues to purples.
The best way to keep your items from fading is to hand wash them in cold water, with a gentle soap; this is also much better for the planet than machine washing and drying. Ironing items after they dry works great at getting cotton back to a smooth finish. Store away from direct sunlight when not in use. Washing items in the bathroom sink with hand soap, then hanging on a towel rack works pretty well!
Pieces are treated and dyed with great care to be lightfast and washfast; even so, long exposure to sunlight, harsh soaps, citric acid (think lemonade), and hot water will change your items’ colors faster
Make the Round Trip
Our items are designed to be unisex, user-friendly, and multi functional to encourage creative interactions and a long life for the product. Hopefully you use your Round Trip Goods until they are worn out from love and daily use. We encourage you to repair, and repurpose your products if you think it’s at the end of their life cycle. We would love to hear of ways you reuse old textiles of any kind. Post on social with #maketheroundtrip to share ideas.