People live in close contact with fabric daily, including what they sit on, sleep in, wear, and decorate with. What if these materials quietly compromise their health, pollute the planet, and support unethical labor practices? The founders of Two Sisters Ecotextiles, Leigh Anne Van Dusen and Patty Grossman, believe they are. “Most people don’t know it, but we could improve the health of our homes, our families, and the ecosystems we rely on by choosing the right fabric,” says Grossman.
The sisters founded Two Sisters Ecotextiles because of frustration, curiosity, and a fierce sense of responsibility. Nearly twenty years ago, Van Dusen set out to reupholster an inherited sofa. As a mother, she wanted a material that was stylish but, at the same time, safe for her family and the planet. What did she find? She was given a choice between beautiful but toxic fabrics or “greener” alternatives made from recycled polyester, which contributes to microfiber pollution in bodies of water, among other impacts.
This disheartening reality prompted Van Dusen to seek her sister’s help to create a brand that would redefine the industry. Grossman, who has a background in business, brought the practical know-how needed to start a company. They read chemistry textbooks, consulted scientific journals, and scoured the globe for ethical mills and suppliers.
The founders’ goal was to change how textiles are made, from field to finished fabric. “It’s like applesauce,” Grossman states. “If you start with organic apples but add red dye #2, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and preservatives, you don’t end up with organic applesauce. And it’s the same with fabric.” Two Sisters Ecotextiles was hence born, vowing never to cut corners when it came to safety or sustainability.
Two Sisters Ecotextiles acknowledges that the textile industry is among the largest industrial polluters in the world. It uses vast amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. Many of the latter can be harmful, from formaldehyde and heavy metals to endocrine disruptors like phthalates.
“Many chemicals are still present in finished fabrics,” Grossman remarks. “The same sofa you sit on to relax could not only be off-gassing volatile toxins into the air your children breathe, but also be transferred through skin absorption, or even ingested. The curtains you draw every morning, if not third-party certified, most likely contain chemicals that are a challenge to your health and safety. Even that ‘100% organic cotton’ sheet set? If conventionally processed, it most assuredly contains residual chemicals of concern.”
The founders also point to issues in textile production related to labor, chemical-laden wastewater dumped into rivers, and carbon emissions on a devastating scale. They wanted to do better, and they have.
Van Dusen and Grossman developed a line of fabrics that meet rigorous safety and environmental standards without sacrificing quality or aesthetics. Two Sisters Ecotextiles’ offerings are woven from the highest quality fibers, pass the same durability tests as conventional options, and are dyed in a palette of sophisticated, elegant colors. They’re processed with non-toxic chemicals and meet the gold standard of third-party certifications, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
The brand also works primarily with small- to medium-sized, family-owned mills. Many of them are overseas and genuinely committed to reducing their environmental footprint and protecting workers’ rights. “We would love to work with American mills. We welcome collaborations with those who share the same ethos and values as us,” states Grossman.
Two Sisters Ecotextiles has also elevated the standard for consumers and designers by demanding transparency, accountability, and genuine sustainability. For instance, it helps to combat microfiber pollution in oceans and reduce the toxic burden on human and animal health by removing plastics from its product line and eliminating “chemicals of concern.”
Its fabrics may cost more upfront. However, that price reflects the cost of ethical production. “You can buy a fabric for $10 a yard, but if it’s off-gassing formaldehyde into your home and shedding microplastics into our waters, what’s the real cost?” Grossman says.
More people are seeking healthier, more responsible ways to live. Two Sisters Ecotextiles’ message is urgent and empowering: “It’s time to stop being passive participants in the toxic cycle of conventional textiles. We can demand better from the products that surround us. We can design with care. We can build beauty without destruction. We can choose a fabric that protects our planet and our people. Choose wisely. Choose change.”
