PROUD TO BE LOCAL

And today I bring you a little bit of history !!!

Are you curious to know where THECATBRANDW is made and why? Come on, let's go into the tunnel of time. Quality knitted fabric is one of our hallmarks. This comfortable, soft and enveloping weave is worked especially in this particular area of Catalonia, where we have gone to look for it. We want to vindicate and value the know-how of a local industry that in its time was huge, that still exists today and that it is necessary, more than ever, to continue supporting.

1. BEACH & KNITWEAR

Long, sandy beaches at the foot of the mountains of the coastal range just a few kilometers from Barcelona. Here, in the Maresme, THECATBRANDW is made. And why precisely here? Well, because of the industrial peculiarity of this strip dotted with coastal towns: it happens to be a pioneering area in Spain in the knitwear industry, and one of the first in Europe. Where did this know-how come from? From the handlooms that arrived in Spain in the 17th century via France, between 1680 and 1682.

Mataró village of the XIX century.

View of the Mataró coast.

2. 19TH CENTURY, THE KEY MOMENT

This love affair between knitted fabrics and El Maresme took place with the textile modernization of the 19th century, specifically in 1834, when cotton spinning was mechanized. After 1875 it was already established as a key area in the manufacture of cotton knitwear. This process was fast and intense, specialized factories began to flourish and with them their entrepreneurs, feeding the boom of the Catalan industrial bourgeoisie. But... Why in these coastal towns near Barcelona?

In the picture above Nau petita Can Marfa, Mataró. Belonging to the Marfa family, textile bourgeoisie of the 19th century. Today (below) the factory is restored as a museum of knitwear.

3. WOMEN: KEY TO DEVELOPMENT

Because of the long tradition of knitted craftsmanship that had existed since the 17th century. Therefore, there was an excellent specialized labor force, especially women, considered cheaper and less conflictive at that time when the mostly male labor movement began to organize in radical political fronts.

Catalan dressmakers of the 19th century.

Maresme textile factory, early 20th century.

4. CLOSE TO BARCELONA, WELL CONNECTED

The availability of a modern transportation system, already in operation since 1848, was another decisive factor. The railroad allowed fast, cheap and agile access to the nearby city of Barcelona, one of the European textile capitals. And from its port, onward to the world.

Town of Arenys de Mar, XIX century.

5. THE INDIAN INFLUENCE

The accumulated knowledge that the coastal region had thanks to a long commercial tradition also had an influence, which allowed the exchange in nearby and distant markets. In addition, this was boosted by the colonial routes via Cuba and the Philippines, Spanish colonies of the time. Some of the capitalist partners of the first knitwear factories in the region came from Cuba (Indians).

Catalan community in Cuba.

6. THE BOOM OF THE BOURGEOISIE AND ITS LEGACY

Modernism triumphed in Catalonia as a consequence of the Industrial Revolution and with it, a "modern" way of life, which was represented in art and culture, with architects (such as Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Gaudí), artists (Ramón Casas, Santiago Rusiñol) or thinkers (Eugeni d'Ors), who saw the world in a different way. The new Catalan bourgeoisie, with its strong purchasing power and its desire for change, encouraged and patronized this influential movement.

Coll i Regàs House, 1898, Mataró. By the famous architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

La Confianza grocery store, Mataró. Josep Puig i Cadafalch of 1896.

A large part of the Catalan bourgeoisie came from families with fortunes in the textile industry.

A work by Manuel Cusí y Ferret, Catalan portraitist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Prominent artists of the time captured the lifestyle of that thriving bourgeoisie.

7 REASONS TO CHOOSE ORGANIC COTTON FOR YOUR CHILDREN´S CLOTHING

At THECATBRANDW we make a clear commitment to organic cotton. Many of you will ask: why, is it just another fashion trend, a trend that serves to put a nice label and little more? Definitely not. The cultivation of organic cotton, increasingly widespread, has every reason to be set in a world that strives to be more sustainable and respectful of the earth. Both big and small actions can make a difference. Its use in kids clothing makes sense both for ethical and practical reasons. Ethically for the benefits it brings to the earth and its biodiversity. Practically for its quality and durability. At THECATBRANDW we believe that clothing should not be a disposable good. A garment made with good materials can accompany the little ones for at least a couple of years if we choose the right size. And pass on to another child in turn. Organic cotton helps make all this possible. Shall we see?

1. BETTER QUALITY, A LONG LASTING FIBER

Did you know that organic cotton delivers higher quality and stronger yarn than regular cotton

because they are handpicked? It is more naturally soft to the touch while maintaining a long-lasting kind of fiber. On the other hand, machine-picked conventional cotton fibers are weaker, chemicals usually make them more breakable. That’s why organic cotton results better in children garments that last longer and be less rough than those made of conventional cotton.

2. PESTICIDE- AND TOXIC-FREE, BETTER FOR FARMERS

Organic cotton is produced without toxic substances and environmentally harmful pesticides. So, its grows in healthier soil. When cultivating organic cotton the farmers use local insects that eat the smaller bugs that destroy the cotton, so the area remains biodiverse with a balance of insect life. Also farmers and their families benefit from not being exposed to chemicals and harmful pesticides in the field or through their water supply and food. In the case of GOTS certified organic cotton, which is the cotton used by THECATBRANDW, it also has the guarantee that it has been cultivated in good conditions for the workers, besides going through many other verification controls of organic agriculture.

3. HELPS PRESERVE A HEALTHIER AND MORE BIODIVERSE EARTH

Regular cotton is grown on the same land over and over again, which means that the soil is depleted of nutrients and its quality degrades. That´s why organic cotton crops help to make the planet sustainable, protecting the health of soils and natural ecosystems. This also means that it contributes to create a sustainable future for children.

4. HYPOALLERGENIC FO CHILDREN

Buying organic cotton clothing protects your child because the fibers have not been exposed to chemicals, so it is softer and kinder to the skin. It is also hypoallergenic, less likely to produce any allergies compared to the pesticide residues that can be found in non-organic fiber and can cause various sensitive reactions.

5. SAVING WATER

Conventional cotton production is a water-intensive process. In contrast, organic cotton cultivation uses 92% less water than conventional cotton production, in addition to using rainwater more efficiently for irrigation, because most of it is grown in rainfed areas. According to Textile Exchange, 80% of organic cotton is watered using rainfall. With the absence of chemicals and pesticides used during production, the water that is put back into the soil and rivers is cleaner and safer. One more benefit of not using pesticides and chemicals is that it has also a positive effect on animals and insects. And since most traditional cotton is grown in water-scarce areas, it has a significant and detrimental impact on the scarcity of water sources and the people who depend on it for their livelihoods.

6. SOFTER AS YOU USE IT

Organic cotton gets softer the more it is washed, that’s why it is preferred by children who wants soft, cozy clothes that make them feel confident and free, that would be the clothes that I definitely would wear if I were a human!

7. LESS CO2 EMISSIONS

The production of traditional cotton also releases massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which makes it a very real threat to our planet. Organic cotton instead it’s grown without harmful chemicals, so it leaves the soil, air and water free from contaminates and it produces around 46% less CO2 emissions compared to regular cotton.

CHRISTMAS TREES CURATED BY THECATBRANDW

Trees and cats are in good harmony, maybe we don’t have such a close bond as dogs do with trees (which is due to more physiological reasons) but we definitely like them. Particularly the Christmas ones, we love it! due to traditional hanging ornaments so cute that we like to "hunt" jumping around, which can make humans very nervous also. But because I am a sophisticated cat (I design alternative kids clothing for a reason) I will leave the fun aside to bring you a few trees that I liked browsing on instagram. I hope they give you as many ideas as me!

1-@emmalouisecorry This contemporary textile designer defines her style “with the right amount of sparkle”, she says. Good! That´s precisely why I like her. She makes these little wonders from England, you cam find her store in instagram. So nice.

2-@snippetofwhimsy Kenzie Kae is a graphic artist with a very wide universe, who defines her art as "happy". My favorites are these original trees between fashion and naive, it couldn´t be any other way!

3-@o_wow_shop Handmade wooden toys from England, wonderfully simple and sustainable, as their creator Alistair says on his website. Maybe I'll ask Santa for a couple of them, I think they agreat toys for a cat in case you have one like me at home.

4-@mrsgreenartartbaby

Hillary Green is an art teacher for small kids in Georgia, EEUU. Her instagram is pure positive energy with all that color blowing. I love what she creates along with her little artists. Some of the works are very pop Warhol vibe!

5-@juriannematter

She is a dutch designer and product developer. Jurianne has also a webshop too. Discover this account full of beautiful ideas with a color palette all her own. Delicious.

6-@muffi_corn

From Ukraine, this account makes crochet crafts that I would eat right now, literally; and don´t forget fiber is also good for our claws!!! They have a store on Etsy so you can download patterns. I say, very cute indeed.

7 -@_jazreyes

And the winner of the fun photo is Jazmin Reyes!! Digital creator of fashion, film and art from the Philippines. She reminds me of the good times of Victoria Beckman and Juergen Teller's campaigns. You can tell the girl is a fashionista.