T-shirt startup captures call of the wild

The Zonie Report, Dec. 16, 2008

TUCSON — A newly founded, all-bamboo T-shirt company will be adding a fifth animal to its line of endangered species shirts next month.

The American Jaguar will be the next animal featured in the “Wild Animal Tees” line from amazingteesUS.com, a line of shirts that was created for the dedication of increasing awareness and protection of endangered animals.

The line currently consists of shirts with depictions of the Red Eyes Tree Frog, the Siberian Tiger, the Giant Panda and the Orangutan. Each shirt also comes with a tag that includes a fact about the animal.

Ten percent of the Wild Animal Tee line proceedings go to the World Wildlife Fund.

Dale Lips officially opened the online store in August. Originally, her plan was to create clothes for women that were comfortable, flattering and, most of all, sustainable. Her plan was then extended to include items that are more eco-friendly.

The company is “influential, educated, travel and socially conscious,” Lips says.

Lips decided to start the company after buying her own bamboo-made T-shirt. She personally attempted several “clothing-care don’ts” – such as washing and drying it in high temperatures, pouring wine on it and stretching it when it was wet – to test the shirt’s quality. But nothing affected it, Lips says.

Bamboo is a rapidly renewable source, making it environmentally friendly. It has also become popular for its use in flooring and other typically wooden products. According to BambooTex.com, bamboo fiber has the advantage of bring naturally antibacterial, biodegradable and more breathable than cotton fabrics.

AmazingTees is currently solely an online store, Lips says, and many items are also geared toward men’s and kid’s t-shirts and polos. However, the company will be sending a few of its future projects to particular clothing and yoga stores, Lips says.