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Spun doctor
by: JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
12/18/2007 12:00 AM
Local designer offers organic-fabric tees
Brandon Anthamatten is helping the planet one T-shirt at a time.
By day, this 26-year-old Tulsan is a sales associate at Coldwell Banker. He's also a property manager.
But by night — well, perhaps not strictly in the evening — Anthamatten designs T-shirts on organic materials.
"I've always been into fashion," said Anthamatten, who transformed a leisure activity into a label, NuSpun (pronounced "new-spun") Apparel, a line of ecologically friendly T-shirts made from organic cotton and bamboo.
It started as a hobby, he said, crediting his parents for instilling the earth-friendly trait in him. He not only wanted to look different from everyone else, he wanted to help the environment, too.
So after two years of planning, Anthamatten debuted NuSpun at Reggaefest, selling T-shirts. Now, you can find them at three local stores: Azur Couture at River- Walk Crossing in Jenks, Dwelling Spaces at 119 S. Detroit Ave. and Sideways, a boutique at 1513 E. 15th St. It's also available at EarthFriendlyGoods.com.
Mary Beth Babcock has been carrying NuSpun apparel at Dwelling Spaces for about a year.
"I love the fact that NuSpun is ecofriendly . . . and I love that there is a local green T-shirt company right here in Tulsa," she said.
NuSpun's current collection includes styles for both men and women, Anthamatten said. All the men's tees are organic cotton, the women's are a 70-30 blend of organic cotton and bamboo.
Cotton, according to a NuSpun fact sheet, is one of the most popular fabrics in the world. But it has traditionally been grown with many pesticides and chemicals. The chemicals used in conventional cotton production are some of the most ecologically harmful known to man, fans of organic say.
Organic cotton, however, is grown in certified organic fields with no chemicals, and it has substantially less impact on the surrounding environment.
As for the bamboo fabric, it's processed with little or no environmental damage, and its long fibers are extremely strong yet have a luxurious feel. Plus, it can breathe and wick away moisture thanks to its porous properties.
Right now, NuSpun offers five styles each for men and women, Anthamatten said, with white and royal blue for guys, baby blue and cocoa brown for girls.
One style has an Oklahoma vanity car tag on the front with "NUS-PUN" spelled across it; another has a redwood tree soaring up one side.
He's already working toward expanding the line, coming up with ideas for sweatsuits, bamboo polos and hoodies for next winter.
But Anthamatten doesn't seem territorial with his label's design process, as he invites people to lend their talent, too. Like his Web site explains, you can submit your own art work or T-shirt design idea. If it's chosen, you'll be awarded two free tees and $200 in cash.
Prices range from $24 to $26, with sizes running from small to extra large for both sexes (with XXL available in some men's styles).
For more information about NuSpun, call or visit any of the stores mentioned earlier. You can also visit www.tulsaworld. com/nuspun.
3:55 PM
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