About Under the Nile

Under the Nile offers an alternative to conventional cotton apparel for infants and children. All products are made from 100% handpicked organic cotton, without the use of pesticides or chemicals throughout the entire production process. Grown exclusively in Egypt, the products reflect the extremely soft and durable features that Egyptian cotton is known for. Under the Nile's dyeing process uses metal-free or vegetable dyes. Accessories such as buttons and zippers are made from organically friendly elements such as wood, shell or nickel-free metals. The line is EDI compatible.

Prior to founding Under the Nile in 1997, company president Janice Masoud worked as an apparel designer for 14 years. When searching for organic products for her young children, who were experiencing allergic reactions to conventionally manufactured products, she discovered organic Egyptian cotton at the Sekem Initiative Farms in Egypt, and immediately started working with the farm on a line for the U.S. market.

"Back then, organic cotton was not readily available, so I thought about starting a company to make organic baby clothes that could benefit my own children as well as others," explained Janice.

The Sekem Farm provides a worldwide model community for biodynamic agriculture and a workplace that is fully supportive of its workers, from educational programs to health care. From the cottonseed to the spinning and weaving of yarn to the sewing process, Under the Nile ensures that every manufacturing step is completely toxin free.


Production Profile

All Sekem farms are "Demeter" and COAE (Center of Organic Agric. in Egypt) Certified.

Demeter certification is the highest certification in the world, ensuring that the entire process, from growing the cotton, spinning, weaving, dying all the way to sewing the garment is certified. All Under the Nile hangtags feature the Demeter logo.

Sekem's group of biodynamic engineers assists all its organic cotton farms with any issues that may arise. A farm that has transitioned into organic farming can be certified after three years, which means absolutely no pesticides, insecticides, defoliants, or harmful chemicals can be used on the land for three consecutive years prior to certification. During this transitional period, Sekem helps the farmers trade their cotton on the local market for a fair price. After that period, Sekem purchases the certified organic cotton at above market price.

Sekem employs 700 people in its production facility, with 2,000 farm workers, and a co-op of 50 farmers who grow organic cotton on approximately 12,000 acres.

Fair Trade

Under the Nile exemplifies fair trade principles, practicing fairness towards all those involved in the entire production chain. A fair price is paid to all workers, from cotton growers to weavers. The company ensures that are employees work in a comfortable environment that includes open space, sufficient light, fresh air, along with exercise activities during the day.

Two organic meals are served to all its workers on a daily basis.

Sekem Farm offers all workers (including the neighboring communities) full service health care that includes emergency service, dentistry and even surgery.

Sekem also offers a school, located at its headquarters, which goes from kindergarten to high school, and is available to all workers. children as well as children from neighboring villages. Without this school many children would never be educated.