(Photo above Derek and Den Bruton | Photo courtesy of New Growth Clothing Company)
Handmade, locally sourced, uniquely created, hi-tech focused and eco-conscious—what more could one ask for in clothing design? Bend-based New Growth Clothing weaves together high quality, sustainable U.S. made fabrics with local manufacturing by skilled designers and tailors to produce clothing that is truly Oregon grown.
What started as a screen-printing t-shirt hobby turned business in 2009, cofounders, brothers and 23-year Bend locals, Dan and Derek Brutonsoon became inspired for change and a challenge. They set out to create a sustainable, local/regional/national-based, environmentally friendly and conscious business model, and hence New Growth Clothing was born.
“We thought about what we could do that would not only make our clothing different but also keep us passionate and inspired by the pieces we create,” says Dan. “With the rapid decline of the health of our planet we decided one step we would take would be to use sustainable practices and eco-friendly fabrics. And we wanted the business to keep us on our toes.”
In stock are comfortable and classic garments ranging from hoodies, tees, crews, caps and beanies, to light weight waterproof jackets, technical jackets, and base layers, all sourced from U.S. made fabrics including wool, bamboo, recycled polyester, and even recycled water bottles. Local master seamstress SueYocom of Sisters-based Black Crater Clothing works closely with New Growth.
“We are lucky to have her because we know we’re getting the highest quality product and we know it’s coming from local hands,” Dan says.
Derek Bruton is the company’s primary graphic designer while a small handful of West Coast-based artists lend their work to garment design and creativity, including local Bend artist Tyler Mungall. And overall production at New Growth is homegrown, with its owners forging the way with a hand in all steps of manufacturing high performance and low environmental impact clothing. “We do it all by ourselves to find exactly what we want,” says Dan.
As with many Central Oregon startups, the Bruton’s have felt the warm reception of mindful business building.
“Bend has a lot to do with who we are and why we’re passionate about caring about the environment,” Dan says. “We feel we are a reflection of Bend, a lot of Bendites relate to us and want to support us. Our customer base is insanely loyal and year-to-year new faces become friendly faces and we get to see returning customers at each event. We would be nowhere without our customers and we owe thanks to them.”
Currently the majority of product is available online but locally New Growth has its clothing on the racks at CosaCura and Skjersaas Ski & Board Shop. A New Growth Clothing storefront is in the works…
“Bend has been super generous and supported us a lot, and not only Bend but up and down the West Coast and Colorado—everywhere we go, we get positive feedback and wherever we seem to go we find people are jumping on the train and digging what we are doing.”
