Tees made in Africa by Africans – Mantisworld – FACTORY

Mantisworld is a reputable company with a base in Tanzania, East Africa and producing and supplying basic tees, vests, hoodies etc for base style products ready for print and logo applications.

With a London-based headquarters and showroom, and a strong professional knowledgable team they can provide to your company requirements in quick speed time. (AFG can vouch for them after buying from them over the last 2 years on previous projects)

Launched in 2005, our ‘Tender Loving Clothing’ (TLC) clothing range is made entirely from 100% organic cotton and is grown and produced exclusively in Tanzania. This range has styles for everyone; women, men, kids and babies are all catered for.

Mantisworld has a mantra based on sustainability and social responsibility. Especially with the owner being Tanzanian there is a desire to support and keep money in the local economy and so prize themselves on their ethics and partnerships which help to agree not only a fair price but also promote sustainable production.

It is GOTS certified (the global textile standard for ecology and social responsibility in the textile industry) and as mentioned they are made using 100% organic African cotton which offers many benefits to the community and local environment, such as:

• Better for the environment by avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers, that would otherwise pollute the land, water and air

• Better for plants and animals (many bees and frogs are disappearing because of the widespread use of pesticides)

• Not genetically modified

• Uses less water – all of our African cotton is naturally rain-fed, not artificially irrigated

• Farmers are paid a premium price for organic cotton and are given a purchase guarantee

• Premiums are paid towards community projects such as building wells for clean drinking water

• Healthier for the farmers, smallholders and rural communities of Tanzania and Uganda

Their other accreditations are in a word VAST! Where do we start?

We mentioned GOTS, but they also have Oeko Tex Association ensuring no harmful substances or dyes are used and also they work with Control Union – which are an independent organisation that audit textile companies certified with organic cotton supply chain. Also importantly are that they are members of Organic Exchange (OE)  an organisation focusing on promoting organically grown cotton and sustainable textiles which have rebranded to Textile exchange – see their Farm Hub newsletter – Feb. 2011 edition for a meet and greet with AFG Founder Jacqueline Shaw.

(AFG will go into more details on eco standards that are out there – it is intense I warn you now!)

Mantis World is an awesome company which ensures their garments are made in an ethical manner. In order to do this they have a strong partnership with a reputable local clothing manufacturer in Tanzania (also with bases in Kenya and Nigeria in Africa as well as other countries worldwide) and whom are leading in the areas of :

• Yarn Spinning
• Knitting
• Weaving
• Dyeing, finishing and printing

This manufacturer also specialises in designing a full intensive range of African print fabric made using the latest computer design techniques. This Tanzanian factory is well-established within its community since the 1960’s and their quality of product and good work practices mirrored the ethos that Mantis World’s standby.

We have had the opportunity to meet on various occasions the Director Prama who is based in their london office. She has a wealth of knowledge with accreditation and experience to verify her background.

“We believe when you experience a Mantis World garment, you too will be convinced that fashionably-led, ethically made clothing is possible without having to compromise on quality.”

Mantisworld M103-TLC - Organic Women's Leighterweight Favourite Tee

Supplying to various types of companies such as fashion brands, merchandisers, corporate-wear and promotional clothing companies and with a UK-based warehouse and MOQ (minimum order quanities) being zero on all stock they are definitely worth checking out for your design company needs.

Overall it just goes to show the quality and capacity of just what CAN be done in Africa – look out for the launch of the AfricaFashionGuide website which will have downloadable information with charts, lists, etc suppliers and manufacturers.

As they say “Ethically Produced never looked so good!”

Tagged: Africa, cotton, Ethical, factory, mantisworld, organic, Tanzania, tee shirts

Posted in: Fashion, Launch, Textiles