Although she grew up in West Texas, the nation’s cotton-producing capital, Michelle Meyer never thought she’d have any association with the world of textiles once she left her parents’ home. Instead she studied interior design and then went to graduate school in architecture, eventually earning her LEED certification and specializing in sustainable buildings. But the impending arrival of her first child inspired a new focus.
Michelle says, “When I was expecting my son, I saw a need for stylish organic baby bedding. With my design background, I knew I could fill this niche.” The Harmony Arts fabric line, which had recently been released, was perfect for Michelle’s needs and thus Cotton Monkey was born.
Currently consisting of a line of crisply tailored, beautiful pieces that have “merged modern with organic to create well-designed and environmentally sensitive designs for children,” Cotton Monkey’s products have definitely found an important niche. Michelle sells her product wholesale only, except for the occasional trade show, and the bedding is available at multiple locations throughout the US and internationally. The company is a family enterprise, with the part-time help of Michelle’s husband and two contractors in Dallas who help with production.
Keeping production in the US is important to Michelle, who can keep a close eye on the conditions under which her items are made. There are no child laborers, of course, and all workers are fairly compensated; she’s also helping the local economy and increasing awareness of the importance of organic cotton. She says: “I have to admit that I have had to educate my contractors about organic cotton, because before I came along, they had never heard of such a thing. But now that they know, they think it makes sense, especially for babies.”
Inspired by her own baby, Michelle Meyer has created baby bedding that in and of itself inspires so many parents. Stylish and sustainable – an ideal to which so many of us aspire, and Michelle shows one way to attain that goal.
