Increased environmental awareness among consumers has led to an increase in the use of vegetable fibers in different sectors, including the textile sector.
Different industries are already making great efforts to incorporate vegetable fibers into the production process. The case of textiles is particularly striking, where these fibers are becoming very important, mainly due to the emergence and rise of the concept of sustainable fashion, which is expanding worldwide.
Spain is a country that generates a large amount of vegetable fibers, along with India, China, Taiwan, Canada, France and Brazil.
The growth in the production of vegetable fibers has continued to grow enormously in the last 11 years, since 2010. This increase is due to:
– Increase in biobased products.
– The need for natural raw materials to reduce dependence on oil.
– Consumer concern for the convenience of reducing pollution and contributing to a circular economy.
Thanks to all this, the manufacture of vegetable fibers is proliferating, among which the main ones are: bamboo, hemp, kenaf/ jute, flax, coconut fiber, sisal and wood.
Hemp is a very promising fiber in the future of circular fashion, as is jute, which is the most widely used vegetable fiber after cotton, a cheap, sustainable and versatile raw material, whose production has begun to recover in mid-2021, after the blow of the last crisis.
Hemp is a fiber that denim purists and environmentalists have worshipped for years, and for good reasons. Almost no pesticides and herbicides are needed for its production, its crops save around 3000 litters of water per kilo compared to cotton, and all parts of the plant, from seeds to flowers, to stalks and leaves, can be harvested to create a huge range of products, which include medicine, skin care, construction materials and, naturally, textiles. For these reasons, this fiber is perfect for people who love sustainability and ethical fashion.
Despite its reputation of being a coarse, uncomfortable fiber, when hemp is properly processed and cottonized, blended in denim it adds sturdiness and strength, while keeping the natural softness that is usually associated with cotton. More so, hemp makes more durable fabrics, and it offers better insulation, allowing us to stay cooler during the summer and warmer during the wintertime.
If you are thinking that it almost sounds too good to be true, you can rest assured. Your garments handfeel will not be compromised by using hemp, and the look of your jeans will remain as authentic as it always has been. From heavier varieties with a vintage, neppy aspect to softer kinds where hemp looks and feels exactly like cotton, our range is perfect for almost any occasion. And all the latest trends are proof that we are heading in the right direction.
Richer denim weaves, almost tweed-like, with heavier weights and a lot of character are in. Fabrics with irregular texture are preferred, as pronounced slubs and crosshatchs are steadily gaining ground.
Do built-to-last workwear-inspired denim with utility pockets and take advantage of hem’s durability, or opt for more modern styles, such as maxi-volume shorts or bootcut pants made with cotton and Refibra blends.
Reinvent the resort shirt by using hemp for better transpiration and get a sophisticated look by keeping it raw.
Be a sustainable fashion brand by creating products that can be easily disassembled and recycled. Be part of the circular economy through small actions that say a lot about the brand’s philosophy: do low-impact washes for a rustic feeling that evocates nature, choose neppy fabrics and play with inside-out.
Consumers are paying close attention to labels and looking for ecofriendly and sustainable materials, and hemp checks out all the boxes. Its production not only cuts down on water usage, it’s also rotational, regenerates the soil and needs less land to grow, reducing its environmental impact. Brands are now aware, and things are starting to change. Expect to find much more hemp in our industry in the near future, in which we can already anticipate that it will be led by ecofashion brands.
Circular fashion starts right here, at the fiber. At EVLOX we are aware of this and we want to contribute to the great change that can transform the future of the fashion industry.
