The TS Designs team was hard at work last year—not only making the best darn t-shirt with a fully trackable, made-in-the-USA supply chain but also shaking up the apparel industry by engaging with our community, launching a nonprofit, and gaining recognition through multiple media features.
Initiatives Launched
Know Your Clothing
Last year we launched Know Your Clothing, a nonprofit initiative who’s mission is to “Cultivate resilient apparel communities through circularity, transparency, and equity.” This new vision for the apparel industry provides consumers with choices to make conscious decisions of what to buy based on their values, while simultaneously eliminating waste and reducing negative environmental impacts. We are excited about this collaboration with Croatan Institute, who has fiscally sponsors the project.
Piedmont Agrarian Collaborative
Piedmont Agrarian Collaborative (PAC) was launched in 2024 by Eric Henry, and Joshua Humphreys of Pont Reading Farm to provide food right from the farmer to the eater. One pick-up point is right here at the TS Designs facility.
The Piedmont Agrarian Collaborative brings together a diverse group of small farms committed to regenerative farming practices that enhance soil health and sequester carbon. We strive to provide our North Carolina communities with fresh, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, and more, fostering sustainability and connection to the land. Learn more at Pac.Farm.
Solid State Clothing
Solid State Clothing is our retail brand, and it’s our way to bring our meticulously crafted, locally grown and made shirts directly to your wardrobe. Solid State releases small batches of premium-quality t-shirts that are durable and versatile for work, play, and everything in between. It’s also our platform for experimenting with new materials like natural dyes and creative collaborations with regional artists and makers.
2024 Solid State Clothing Product Launches
Georgia Pocket T-Shirt
A classic crew-neck pocket t-shirt, made from 100% cotton directly sourced from Warbington Farms in Cummings, Georgia. We made this shirt in partnership with Magnolia Loom, an apparel company as dedicated to domestic manufacturing and farming as we are.
Ball Cap I
Solid State Clothing brings you our first ball cap. Made by Unionwear in New Jersey, USA. With a clear vision, we’ve mapped out a multi-phase plan to evolve our hats to be completely circular over time.
NC Cotton + Tara Reed Graphic T-Shirt - Fall Skull Garden
Limited Edition and no longer available! This Fall Skull Garden was created to showcase a local Raleigh, NC artist, Tara Reed’s work on a locally made t-shirt.
Naturally Dyed Hemp Beanies
Our pioneering Hemp Beanie is one of the first pieces of clothing made from U.S.-grown hemp. It’s a year-round knit hat made from a 30% American hemp, 70% American cotton blend that’s comfortable, breathable, durable, and 100% natural. Naturally dyed with avocado pits, Osage orange, black walnut or natural.
Natural Dyed Wool Beanies
Our 100% Wool Beanie is a testament to natural craftsmanship and sustainability. Made entirely from premium, U.S.-sourced wool, this year-round knit hat offers warmth, breathability, and unmatched comfort. Naturally dyed with black beans, black walnuts or natural.
Our fashionista runway models included employees, Jessika and Emily in addition to a group of talented young folks who brandished our sustainably made clothing.
Behind the scenes, Ilsa, Jesika, Eric, Ken, Kaitlin, Emily & Joe staffed our booth, showed support and made things happen.
ROAR Women's Symposium
In the springtime we were a vendor at this dynamic event hosted by the Alamance Chamber of Commerce to empower women through keynotes, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. This event celebrates women’s strength, resilience, and impact in the community.
Saxapahaw Holiday Market
Held annually at the Haw River Ballroom, we find our kinsfolk shopping Solid State Clothing alongside many other artisan vendors just in time for the holidays!
TS Designs in the Media
Climate Town: Fast Fashion is Ruining Merch
Climate Town is Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians who examine climate change in a hilarious yet educational way. In this episode TS Designs is featured as a sustainable alternative for t-shirt merch! A must watch if you haven’t seen this yet.
All the Media
Our CEO Eric Henry continues to be asked to speak or contribute to multiple publications and podcasts over the year around our mission to sustainability.
Podcasts
- Story of a Startup: Creating Sustainable Brands with Eric Henry (CEO, TS Designs)
- ASI Media Promo Insiders: Why Natural Fibers & Dyes are Key for Apparel Sustainability
- How I Built My Small Business: Crafting an Eco-Friendly Clothing Empire with TS Designs and the Fight Against Fashion’s Waste Crisis
- Big News Network: U.S. businesses adopting Environmental, Social and Governance practices
- The Hometown Holler: People, Planet, Profit
Television
- Fox 8 News: TS Designs wants you to ask questions about your shirts
Publications / Blog Articles
- eTextileCommunications: Eric Henry driving TS Designs to reclaim America’s apparel heritage – naturally, sustainably
- Ignation Solidarity Network: Fordham Becomes CEPA Partner
- Big News Network: U.S. businesses adopting Environmental, Social and Governance practices
- Black Walnut Project White Paper: A team of Sustainable Innovation MBA students from the University of Vermont, led independent research and interviews with potential collaborators to aid in developing a system to commercially leverage black walnuts as a natural dye material.
Customer Spotlight
We love our customers and their commitments to sustainability. In an effort to dive deeper, we developed our Customer Spotlight series, where we feature interviews with them on the TS Designs Blog.
- Yonderlust: Kit and Sonya Linton
- Two Tired Parents: Jessie and Ryan Stasiak
- Rolling Hills Gin: Wes Morgan (Supplier Spotlight)
- Carrboro Farmers Market: Maggie Funkenhouser and Laura Perez
- Gilson Snow: Nicholas Gilson and Austin Royer
- Hillsborough United Church of Christ: Jay Kennett
- Climate Town: Rolllie Williams and Matt Nelsen
- Burlington Beer Works: Tracy Schmidt
- Mutts Comic: Ali Datko and Patrick McDonnell
- Sustainable Angler: Rick Crawford
- Chapman Trading Co. and Magnolia Loom: Zeke Chapman
Looking Toward the Future
As we look toward 2025, our commitment to sustainability remains unwavering. We will persist in promoting DEI, climate change awareness, in addition to our domestic manufacturing, transparency, and sustainable practices. No matter the political climate, our resolve remains strong as we continue to bring full transparency to the global apparel supply chain.
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TS Designs manufactures the highest quality printed t-shirts in a domestic, transparent, and trackable supply chain. We work with brands who want to provide their customers with responsibly made clothing that positively impacts people and the planet.