Michael Spitzbarth’s Green BLEED
For Michael Spitzbarth, CEO and founder of BLEED, sustainability isn’t just a path—it’s a responsibility and a way of life; the company’s moniker draws its name in empathy of the Earth’s exploitation by the human race.
A German apparel manufacturer that specializes in green fashion, street- and sportswear, BLEED uses only eco-friendly materials and sustainable fabrics, and operates solely via fair production terms.
Carved in Blue chatted with Michael to learn where he finds his inspiration and how the company intends to leave the planet in better shape.
Carved in Blue: Can you tell us a little about the BLEED’s mission in denim?
Michael: We developed our first denim pant in our first year in 2009. It was a completely GOTS-certified pant from 100 percent organic cotton.
Over the past years our quest for sustainable clothes combined with functional aspects and wearing comfort led to more “innovative” materials, such as cellulosic fibers like TENCELTM. In the past year we saw that there’s a big waste problem in the textile industry and also a big recycling problem. So we designed a jean made from TENCELTM, organic cotton and recycled cotton to minimize these kind of problems.
The other special thing about this project is that we tried to keep transportation routes as low as possible, and we made it possible to produce a denim pant with the processes of weaving, washing, dyeing and confectioning within the EU so we can reduce our CO2 footprint enormously.
Carved in Blue: What does sustainability mean to BLEED?
Michael: Sustainability means everything to us. It´s not only a marketing or selling tool or a trend. For us, it’s the main thing about our philosophy and the reason why we put all our heart and soul into the sustainable development of all our products.
We use the power of lifestyle and fashion to generate more followers for a sustainable way of living. Therefore, we try to do everything according to our mission statement: “To inspire a sustainable lifestyle that excites and easily integrates into our daily life.”
Carved in Blue: Why have you decided to use TENCELTM? What has been the customer reaction?
Michael: We’ve used TENCELTM for over eight years now, and it has become one of the most important fibers of our collection. For one, it makes things more functional for athletic use. The customer reactions in the past have all been very positive because the wearing comfort combined with sustainability makes it the best solution on the market.
Carved in Blue: What’s next for BLEED?
Michael: We’re developing a new line of recycled and climate-neutral shoes, and we’re trying to put our whole company completely climate neutral until 2020.
Carved in Blue: What do you think the denim industry is missing today?
Michael: To get away from a linear process. We are missing a circular system in textiles that is functioning all over the world.
Carved in Blue: Where do you go for denim inspiration? Is it a person? Place? Art?
Michael: For me, it’s easy. Especially for denims—I check the skateparks and the guys hanging out there.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Michael: Denims are one of our most complex products in our collection. In the beginning it was really hard to develop a “real” sustainable denim that was also fashionable. But now we are on a good path, and denim is always the product we like to design the most.