Some people see cardinals and feel the presence of someone they’ve lost — a message from the other side. For me, it has always been the Monarch butterfly. Raised near the windswept shoreline of Lake Michigan, I grew up surrounded by their quiet magic. I still remember standing beneath branches that fluttered not with leaves, but with thousands of delicate wings, as Monarchs gathered in trembling anticipation of their epic journey to Mexico.
There’s a sacredness in that memory. And over the years, it’s become harder to recapture.
Though not yet listed as endangered, the Monarch butterfly was officially designated a threatened species in 2024. Their numbers have been declining due to habitat destruction, climate change, and harmful agricultural practices. It’s personal now. When I see fewer Monarchs, I feel a deep ache — for what’s vanishing, and for what we must protect.
Our Industry Has a Responsibility
The fashion industry — our industry — is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation. But we believe that with intention, design can heal as much as it adorns. As we watch the Monarchs struggle, we’re reminded why our choice to use bamboo fibers at Faceplant Dreams is so much more than a design preference. It’s a quiet act of conservation.
Consider this:
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Cotton, though natural, is heavily treated with neonicotinoids and glyphosate. These chemicals eradicate milkweed, the sole host plant for Monarch caterpillars. No milkweed, no Monarchs.
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Polyester is derived from crude oil. The expansion of fossil fuel operations has cleared millions of acres of milkweed meadows and migratory waystations. What's more, polyester production accelerates climate change — disrupting the delicate timing and conditions Monarchs depend on to survive.
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Bamboo, by contrast, thrives without pesticides or irrigation, and its cultivation can be integrated into agroforestry systems that support native pollinators and preserve natural habitats.
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Bamboo’s quiet presence in the landscape can serve as a buffer and refuge, a resting point along the Monarch’s route — not a threat to it.
A Glimmer of Hope
There is some good news: during the 2024–2025 winter season, the Eastern Monarch population nearly doubled. Their presence in Mexican overwintering forests grew from 2.22 to 4.42 acres — a rare and welcome breath of hope. Small victories like these matter. But they don’t happen by accident.
Why We Choose Bamboo — And Why It Matters
At Faceplant Dreams, we know we cannot single-handedly reverse the environmental damage that endangers the Monarch. But we can refuse to contribute to it. We can choose bamboo — not just because it feels luxuriously soft against your skin, but because it grows gently, respectfully, and renewably. We can choose a closed-loop process for our fibers, recycling 99.5% of the chemicals instead of dumping them into the environment. We can design beautiful things without trading beauty in the wild for comfort at home.
So, when you wear Faceplant, know this:
You are not just choosing comfort and quality — you are joining us in choosing consciousness.
You are not just wrapping yourself in fabric — you are sheltering the butterfly.
And we believe that when you sleep in that kind of intention,
you really do sleep better.
