From wriggly worms to beautiful butterflies, old life giving way to new it’s amazing what you can find at the bottom of your garden, especially in the lush Adelaide district.
But for Madhu and her 10-year-old son, they discovered more than what was growing in the garden. For them nature gave them the greatest gift of all — inspiration and a name that would become known across their new adopted home of Australia — the name of Madhu’s organic babywear, Tiny Twig.
Those familiar with Tiny Twig will know the brand was conceived on a summer day back in 2009, amidst a conversation between two friends discussing the harmful effects of chemicals on not just the environment but more importantly their babies.
Little did Madhu know then, that the very thing every mother wishes their child to be (inquisitive) would inspire the perfect name for a business…
We love that your son is the reason Tiny Twig came about… Tell us more about how the name came to be…
Madhu: One day my son and I were gardening in the backyard. I wanted to find a name that spoke to nature but not use “baby”. If you look at most babywear companies, they all have baby in their name. So we in the backyard and I picked up a twig. Now a twig doesn’t have to be a small, dry stick. It is actually a small, new shoot that goes from a branch or stem. So I was trying to think of a name, “Baby Twig” and so on. Then my son said to me, “Mum why can’t it be called Tiny Twig? Babies are tiny.” And there we had our name.
Your tagline is “A greener future”. Why is it important to teach out children about nature and looking after the environment?
Everyone, not just children, needs to understand that what we wear, what we buy and how it is made, all has an impact on the environment. Our children need to understand this most importantly because they are the future generation. They need to know that their choices can have a large impact on the world we live.
Fast fashion is a big issue and many people buy cheap, non-organic clothes without understanding the impact it all has on the environment. What is organic cotton and how do we benefit from it?
Not many people understand what organic cotton is. It’s a natural fibre grown without pesticides or chemicals. It is good for us because it is breathable and does not irritate our skin.
People think that when they buy “100% cotton” it’s ok, but they don’t realise that when buying just any cotton product it still be covered in pesticides right from the inception of the bud. It doesn’t matter how many times you wash the garment, it will always be there. That’s why buying organic cotton products are best. It is grown without pesticides and each time you wash it, the fabric becomes softer and gentler on the skin.
Organic cotton isn’t just beneficial to the environment but those who wear it, especially for the people who are involved in the whole supply chain – from the farmer to the end product. Everyone benefits from this organic manufacturing process.
In India, where I am from, there is a strong potential and market to grow organic cotton. For something to be considered organic, there is a governing body that certifies it and makes sure it meets the requirements. They also encourage Indian farmers to grow organic and will help them to do this because it is better for the environment. There aren’t pesticides being used that go into the soil either.
You say organic cotton benefits everyone, but how?
When we take the holistic approach it is something, which can help everyone who is involved. This, with my chemistry background, I can really see how global warming is causing the environment to change. There is no one particular season at the moment. There’s calamity in one place and storms in another. Everything is upside down and so that’s why if everyone can do their bit and make a contribution towards caring for the environment we’ll also helping our babies.
If a mum or dad have been buying other cotton (or non-breathable) products, is it too late to change?
It’s never too late. Just like bad eating habits, it’s never too late to improve your diet. The same can be said for your clothing.
What’s on the horizon for Tiny Twig?
We’re always creating new designs and products, but for 2017 we are looking to make our designs more edgy. There is a lot of competition out there with fast fashion being trendy and cool. When you make organic cotton products you are limited by the colours you can work with and so we will be exploring this in the New Year.
For Madhu and her family, going organic is the only way to fighting climate change and eradicating its threat against future generations including yours. Are you ready to go organic and make the change?
View the Tiny Twig Collection.