Impact
Innovate. Create. Print.
Wondering what’s new at GOEX and what staples you should be filling your closet with this spring? Our development team analyzed color trends, created new silhouettes and perfected our garment assortment. We are continuing our discussion of innovation, creativity, and how to express it. This season is all about embracing the new, being bold, and inventive. Here’s what our experts had to say about this season’s graphic trends: “My favorite spring graphic trend is the unique placements trend. I’ve seen a lot of really cool placements that feel fresh and can be applied across a variety of graphics. I really want to find a cute text graphic that follows the neckline of a shirt.” -Meghann Wheelock, Product Manager and Design Expert “My favorite spring trend is the tonal graphics. I think tonal graphics are a way to make a shirt creative yet still subtle enough that it could be worn every day. I am always on the hunt for graphic tees, but I like them to be subtle. On the other hand, I am also loving the bright lilac color that is popular right now. I would love to print more shirts with that ink color as well as find something for my personal wardrobe that is lilac!” -Kenna Russell, Graphic Artist Follow any one of the trends below and get inspiration for your next t-shirt or fleece design. Refine and Define Statements Say it loud for the people in the back! Definitions straight out of Merriam-Webster and socially conscious statements allow you to be outspoken with a clearly, spelled-out message. Creating a simple t-shirt with a word, phrase, or design that expresses your mission and purpose can make an impact. 90’s vibes Remember when MTV played music videos? Pay homage to one of the best decades with neon colors, vapor waves, geometric shapes. The Positive Side of Negative Space Many artists are moving their creations off Instagram and onto shirts! They select work that’s been a fan-favorite on social media and translate that into a printable apparel design. Shine On Gold, foil, glitter inks! Oh my! Life’s too precious to be muted. Shine one with a message that sparkles and uplifts. Color Outside The Lines Nature is fluid and outstanding. Make your mark with a bold geometric and vibrantly colored print. 86 The Grey Areas Some statements don’t need grey areas. Better your standard with a classic design fearlessly reimagined. Think Outside The Box Your message is unique. Brand it with unique placements. Think outside the box. Be Natural Nature is all around us and we do our best to give back. Give back to nature with nature design on an eco friendly tee. Rainbows Rainbows evoke joy, hope, and wonder, making them the perfect image for almost any type of apparel. Add text and choose your own color palette to make a unique design that anyone would be happy to wear. Tiny text Sometimes, less is more. Create a minimally aesthetic t-shirt design featuring tiny text. Retro typography Get groovy and throw it back to the 60’s and 70’s by designing a funky tee with retro fonts in psychedelic colors like lilac, yellows and pinks. Chaotic and Handwritten Typography Anything can happen! Add a little fluidity to your look with warped design or twisted type. Hand-drawn letterforms can have a range of different moods, so it can be funky, retro, bold, or delicate. The flexibility you have when you draw your own lettering makes it a great choice for almost any t-shirt you’re designing. Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Pop That Color
Wondering what’s new at GOEX and what staples you should be filling your closet with this spring? Our development team analyzed color trends, created new silhouettes and perfected our garment assortment. GOEX Product Manager and Trend Expert, Meghann Wheelock felt 2021 was a year for innovation and growth. “Spring ’21 for me was two faceted, the hope of new things and the somber reflection of the hardship of the past year. That translated into two separate color palettes, one very bright and full of life and one more muted and reflective.” COLOR TRENDS According to Pantone Color Institute experts, colors for Spring 2021 emphasize our desire for a range of color that inspires ingenuity and inventiveness – colors whose versatility transcend the seasons and allow for more freedom of choice – colors that lend themselves to original color statements and whose flexibility easily adapts to our new and more fragmented lifestyle. “Offering a range of shades illustrative of nature, colors for Spring/Summer 2021 underscore our desire for flexible colors that work year-round. Infused with a genuine authenticity that continues to be increasingly important, colors for Spring/Summer 2021 combine a level of comfort and relaxation with sparks of energy that encourage and uplift our moods,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Pops of color Shades illustrative of nature coupled with new core classics come together to create a palette inspiring ingenuity and inventiveness. You can find many creativity inducing colors in our triblend tees. “The runways for spring had some really fun color combos with Bubblegum Pink and Grass Green being one of the most prominent. I think we will see Bubblegum as a big color trend even going forward into fall. The thing I liked about Grass was that it works with the bright color palatte, but it layers with the more muted palate as well. I’m really excited to pair our Grass cardigan with our Ivory and Navy tees from our neutral palate,” says Wheelock. Choice Neutrals This season’s core hues offer versatility that transcends the seasons and allows for more freedom of choice. “For the muted palette, I wanted to refresh it by adding Rose,” says Wheelock. “This color is so versatile that it functions as a neutral (it’s really easy to layer, you can put almost any graphic on it, etc.) but it feels fresh and allows you to inject color into your wardrobe at the same time. I’m especially excited about this color in our ladies drop-hem tee. It’s super comfy and flattering and I will probably live in it all spring.” Embrace your versatility with our ladies drop hem tees, unisex cotton and triblend tees, ribbed tanks, polos, v-necks, and cardigans. Key color combos Get uplifted by these key color combos. Embrace your originality by making a high-impact statement with your wardrobe choices this season. Like nature, you are colorful and adaptive. Appreciate yourself! Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Fair Is Fair: Ensuring Prosperity
Comfortable, sustainable apparel is wonderful and our mission is even better. The fact remains true: we’re a nonprofit organization. After costs to sustainably produce premium eco-friendly apparel and provide livable wage jobs, all GOEX profit — every bit of it — goes to fund projects set in motion by The Global Orphan Project. The Global Orphan Project exists to break the orphan cycle and one of the biggest contributors to the orphan cycle is poverty. That’s where we come in! We exist to create and sustain fair wage jobs that empower employees to care for their families. On average, one of our workers earning a fair wage supports six family members. GOEX exists to improve the lives of the workers and the communities we touch and one way we’re making good on that promise by providing fair wages to our workers in Kansas City and Haiti. To provide fair wages, you must start with open, transparent conversation. GOEX management has spent countless hours with our team to help analyze costs, employment and tax law, and production benchmarks. We work together to take a long hard look at our mission model. Transparency means we can take pride in our product from seed to stitch. Which is why we have an open door policy at our facilities. We want to cultivate a relationship between you the customer and our mission based on consistent openness and respect. When conflict arises, we work together to listen and solve proving that commerce and compassion can coexist. Better business for a better world. When you make the commitment to ensure that your workplace has an empowering environment you are doing more than running a business. You are nurturing a place of growth, sustainability, and progress. Those who work hard should always have the means to lift themselves up. Fair wages are directly linked to a reduction in crime, utilization of social social services, and have a significant impact on the economy. By providing the means to eliminate the stresses of uncertainty we can create better, sustainable fashion and make an impact. Providing fair wages isn’t about PR or soliciting brownie points so you’ll buy more shirts from us. It’s about doing what’s right. It’s about contributing to a cleaner, healthier world. It’s about feeling good AND doing good. You have the ability to change lives through a simple purchase decision. Perhaps most importantly, your partnership sets an example in the marketplace that ethical commerce can affect systemic bottom-up change through the dignity of work. Together we can make an impact. A better shirt for a better world? Let’s do this! Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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2021 Fair Trade Federation Virtual Conference and Expo
GOEX Apparel is proud to announce that we will be presenting at the 2021 Fair Trade Federation Virtual Conference and Expo! We are immensely proud to be members of the Fair Trade Federation. With fewer than 200 members worldwide, the Fair Trade Federation’s (FTF) acceptance of GOEX reflects our deep commitment to the highest standards of fair trade and the pursuit of a more just and sustainable world. Behind every product you purchase from any business, there are faces, names, and futures. For GOEX and other Fair Trade Federation members, the heart of our business, our primary goal, is to improve the lives and communities of the people who create our products. The Fair Trade Federation Conference and Expo provides a unique platform to highlight the work of FTF members, verified fair trade enterprises. It is also an important opportunity to come together as a community, share joys and challenges, to be inspired, and to learn. The expo is attended by buyers, employees, owners, and advocates from ethical, conventional, and fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and organizations from the US, Canada, Europe, and more. April 26th-27th GOEX Apparel will be virtually telling our story and sharing our commitment to ethical, sustainable business. During the GOEX session, we will present a showcase to give attendees a sample of our best, newest, and most interesting products and stories. We will cover our impact here in the states as well as in Haiti featuring interviews moderated by our Executive Director, Jessica Ray. Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Fashion in the Pandemic Era
Our own roaring 20’s March of 2020 marked the dawn of a new era. A raging storm of uncertainty loomed over the world as we hunkered down at home. We prepared ourselves for two weeks of waiting but were met with a whirlwind of permanent change. We changed how we shopped and worked. The world adapted to the virtual world and learned to bake things from scratch. Throughout the whirlwind of adapting, we all began to ask ourselves all of those scary existential questions we avoided due to the hustle and bustle of our previous lives. Collectively we began to embark on the terrifyingly wonderful journey of self discovery. Our personal meaning was changing and so did what we wore. Nevertheless, we adapt. Comfort and leisure became the favored Friday night attire as stilettos and shapewear nestled in for a long winter's nap. Joggers, tees, and hoodies became our uniform on our quest to find tranquility in life’s simple pleasures. The pandemic provided us a unique opportunity to wear what we wanted in a judgement free space. Online quarantine fashion themed groups sprung up on social media providing us a platform to connect and to be inspired. We were home. We were comfortable but we yearned for pageantry again. We if what we wore really mattered anymore. Does what we wear really matter? As we safely ease back into the familiar we have solidified, yes, what we wear still matters. Fashion is a reflection of oneself. It is an expression of our individuality. It is the first impression we give to ourselves and can impact our entire day. In the past, we stressed about how we presented ourselves to others. “Does this outfit make the right impression? Am I trendy?” We have grown beyond wearing what we think the world wants us to wear. We have learned to ask instead, “Does this outfit make me feel good?” You matter. Your journey to the person you are now was a bumpy and inspiring ride. We at GOEX want to be there for you while you continue that wonderful path. We want to provide you with accessible, quality garments that you can look good in but more importantly feel good about wearing. Your fashion should reflect the strides you have made as an individual and celebrate your commitment to better. Every stitch is the creation of a fair wage job and a piece of plastic out of the ocean. Every silhouette is hope. Every color, a dream. Be true to yourself by living the lessons we learned in this turbulent era. You have the ability to change lives with an act as simple as putting on a t-shirt. Get dressed. Feel good. Do good. Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Fashion That ZOOMS!
The key to a fabulous first impression is your upper half and we’ve got you covered whether it’s a conference call, a first date, or a virtual happy hour with friends. Here’s some of our favorite looks for video calls: Our eco-friendly cardigans paired with our rib tees made from remnant fabrics are not only incredibly comfortable, they make you look like you’re dressed for the office. Keep this one safe from hoodie snatchers because this fleece feels like a hug from an old friend. This super soft weighted fleece inspires you to feel good while getting things done. The snug symmetrical pockets are perfect to hold your phone in between sending emojis in the group chat. Video chatting with IT? *Blessed* Stay chill in our Navy ¼ zip fleece with our Amber triblend tee. You can stay comfortable and stylish while waiting for that update to install. This one for the virtual tabletop gaming crowd. Invoke the rule of the cool in the Olive weekender hood. No matter the adventure, you’re ready to roll for initiative. Designed for all day comfort, this charcoal triblend polo is made from the same super-soft, eco-friendly triblend as our best-selling tees with a slightly tapered fit. This staple is great as a basic and perfect for the corporate world. Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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A Proud Member of the Fair Trade Federation
We are tremendously proud to be members of the Fair Trade Federation. Our mission is to do better in everything we do. Becoming members of the Fair Trade Federation was a part of that journey. The FTF evaluates businesses against a “360° fair trade” standard – making sure its members’ entire enterprises are committed to being fair and responsible socially, economically and environmentally. We dedicate ourselves to not just following the nine Fair Trade Principles – we live by them. The Fair Trade Federation is a membership organization, not a certifying body. Rather than certifying individual products, businesses must go through a rigorous screening process in order to become members. This screening is a holistic evaluation of GOEX’s fair trade practices. Why are Fair Trade Federation members different from other companies? Fair trade means a lot of things to a lot of different people. But if we get down to the nitty gritty, it means “better”. Better standards, treatment of employees, pay, working conditions, environmental practices, and customer relations. It is important to distinguish between fair trade certified products and fully committed fair trade companies. Fully committed fair trade companies have built ethical behavior into their DNA. It is part of every decision and process. Companies that sell certified products sometimes source only a small percent on certified terms. The distinction is great. What does GOEX’s membership mean? Fair Trade Federation members go through rigorous screening evaluating our business sourcing, practices and mission. The FTF calls it 360° fair trade, meaning we’re committed to being fair and responsible in everything we do. 360° fair trade means long-term, holistic partnerships that empower small businesses, entrepreneurs, and artisans. It means they have the resources and encouragement to strengthen their communities and grow their businesses sustainably. How do we qualify? Our entire business undergoes extensive evaluations to ensure we source all products in compliance with the entirety of FTF’s Code of Practice. Here are the nine Fair Trade Federation principles: Create Opportunities for Economically and Socially Marginalized Producers Develop Transparent and Accountable Relationships Build Capacity Promote Fair Trade Pay Promptly and Fairly Support Safe and Empowering Working Conditions Ensure the Rights of Children Cultivate Environmental Stewardship Respect Cultural Identity Learn more about the 360° fair trade principles and FTF’s eligibility requirements here. Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for choosing to care for others and our world through the power of your purchase. We are committed to every person who plays a role in producing your t-shirts, committed to the children and families who benefit from 100% of profit, and committed to providing you with complete transparency and a product you’re proud to wear.
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