APPROACH

We took our time with Little Dipper. It took roughly 4 years to nail the vision. The factors that mattered most: finding a like minded manufacturer that prioritizes their employees, top notch sustainable materials, quality and comfort. The brand and everyone involved needed to feel like family. 

SUSTAINABILITY

When the idea of Little Dipper came to play, so did the commitment to lessen our footprint. We would not create one without the other. Little Dipper fulfills this promise each step of the way. From our manufacturer, materials made, small production quantity, and being shipped to you, our impact is minimal. 

MATERIALS

Our suits are made from Repreve Nylon, transforming a plastic bottle into a material so soft on your baby's skin. Repreve is the common thread. Developed in 2007 based on the idea of seeing waste as a resource, ‘a resource in the wrong place’. Since launching over two decades ago, they have turned over 34 billion recycled bottles into thread, roughly 4300 per minute. Their homepage states, ‘we let the genie out of the bottle and onto new adventures’, and we saw Little Dipper adventures become a reality!

Our Dipper Diaper is double-lined with 92% Bamboo. After multiple swatch feels, we landed here. Not only is it the softest bum friendly material Little Dipper needed, but it also met our earth-friendly requirements. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that naturally regenerates from its own roots, requiring no fertilization and less water than many other crops such as cotton, as well as requiring less processing. Naturally biodegradable and absorbing carbon dioxide as it grows helped to solidify our choice.

SHIPPING

We use 100% recycled and biodegradable kraft mailers from Ecoenclose. The outside is hand-stamped rather than printed with our logo. Inside your package, you will find your suit has been shipped to you in a reusable mesh bag, to use for either a wet suit or your beach day essentials.

MANUFACTURING

Prior to launching Little Dipper, Ellie met with multiple manufacturers, none of which aligned with the brand identity and raised multiple red flags. She wanted to feel at home with the process and knew she found her manufacturing partner in Bali. Women-run for 20 years, adhering to the ethical trading initiative, they put her right at ease. They were more than willing to explore sustainable materials and navigated every speed bump with her to ensure Little Dipper stays true to its core values. It took some trial and error and their patience has been unmatched. 

Every piece is hand sewn. Most employees have been with them from the jump. All staff are paid a base living wage, which is three times higher than the Indonesian minimum wage. In addition, they are paid per piece they sew, given a daily food allowance, and paid overtime for any work completed past 5 pm. Most have multiple family members on the team.

Knowing that Ellie is a big dog lover, they offered to donate Little Dipper's and other excess material to Bali dog rescues if it could be of use!