Wearing Our Why: The Mission, The Movement & What’s Next

Hey Friends,

Some of you have been watching this idea mature since 2010 (or, if you’re my parents, since I first started drawing as a toddler). Others have witnessed my idea percolate since the fall of 2022, when I first committed to giving this a shot.

It feels like such a chaotic time to even think about launching a small business when I see so many shuttering. Yet I choose to hold onto the vision that our future will be that of deeper community collaboration, and aim to participate in cultivating new webs of support for people and planet. (And if YOU have any suggestions on what this looks like, feel free to leave a comment or reply to this email.)

By now, you’ve seen how Earth Medicine Apparel Co. was born from a love of art, healing, and Nature — and the desire to fuse those forces into something tangible and impactful.

At the heart of it all is a deeper mission:

🌍 To offer wearable art that champions planetary health through direct environmental and social impact.

Planetary Health is defined as the state of the natural systems that support human civilization and the health of humans themselves. We value planetary health as a means to focus on supporting healthy communities and healthy ecosystems equally.

Every design our artists create, every garment we source, every community we collaborate with to support — it all serves one larger goal: a healthier, more connected world.

Our designs are made to start conversations. To uplift stories. To spark curiosity and joy about plants, mushrooms, animals, deities, geometry, and the ancient wisdom woven through nature. And our clothing is made to do something — to put money, visibility, and care into the hands of people and projects that are making change.

Here’s how EMACo is showing up:

Four Company Values Pillars

🌀 Planetary Health
We source garments made from eco-aware materials from ethical factories, and partner with domestic, artist-run print shops who prioritize sustainable, water-wise, and carbon-conscious practices. A portion of the company's profits goes to support clean water and conservation efforts, because we advocate that the health of people and the planet are inseparable. It’s not lost on me that apparel is NOT inherently eco-friendly. We look to the future of offering a buy-back and resell program for gently-loved garments, and pledge to produce inventory mindfully, while seeking new ways to source responsibly.

📚 Education
Founded by a Clinical Herbalist and educator, we affirm that knowledge is power. Each design is supported with educational elements about the subject matter, inviting wearers into a deeper relationship with the Earth Medicines and the diversity of global cultures we celebrate. Plus, Earth Medicine Apparel Co. is building a scholarship fund to support 2SLGBTQIA+ artists pursuing higher education in the visual arts. We need networks of support for creative voices with diverse backgrounds more now than ever!

🤝 Collaboration
We’re building this with and for the community — working with artists of intersectional identities, ethical garment suppliers, and changemakers to co-create something bigger than any one of us. Collaboration fuels everything we do. Our designs and our impact mission are co-created with the people and organizations we seek to support on their terms. We look to the future of uplifting the works of emerging talent, organizing artist events, fundraisers, and regional action days that bring members of our community and following together around shared goals and interests.

🪞 Transparent Honesty
This company is real about how we make our products, where the money goes, and how we’re growing. We believe trust is built through transparency, and you deserve to know the story behind what you wear. We’re laying the foundation now for us to report on our impact as we grow, and embrace the journey of learning and listening fully.

This is just the beginning.

I couldn’t do this without your support! Together, we’re planting something magical.

With heart,

Founder, Earth Medicine Apparel Co.
🌿🖤🌎

🐸 Coming Soon in EarthMed Threads:

• All about the sustainable materials and ethical sourcing for our garments

• More about Maestro Jhonny Javá and his family’s work in Peru

• What is Kambô? All about our featured Earth Medicine

• The story behind each design

• WTF did we do a logo change right before launch?!

• Vending Dates TBA - Come see me in person this summer!

• Plus, we’ll announce the winner of our raffle! That’s right - we hit 100 subscribers last week!! Thank you!