Six organic fabrics every sustainable fashion designer should use

Eco-Friendly Rubber from Algae

Algae can be used to replace textiles and rubber with great (cheap) success.

The primary usage of algae in fashion is

to create eco-friendly and

sustainable rubber, that can be used in

footwear or footwear elements.

BLOOM Foam is a great example; as a brand that has launched the world’s

first algae blended EVA, their unique foam-like material is now used by

Yeezy in his latest footwear Collection

Cruelty-Free Leather From Pineapple Leaves

Pinatex is a new word form from ‘Pina’ the Spanish word for pineapple and ‘Tex’ which refers to the texture of pina

fibres.

Before Pinatex, pineapple leaves were considered rubbish and discarded.

Philippines, Brazil, and Hawaii were throwing away millions

of tones each year.

Thanks to Pinatex innovation, these materials have gained a

new life.

As a designer, you can use it as cruelty-free (vegan) leather alternative in your fashion

creations, looking good while saving the environment, both

at the same time.

The benefits of using the leaves of the pineapple rescued from waste and

turned into resources that fashion brands are too many to

mention.

Vegan Fur Made From Seaweed

Another fantastic material that’s making recent waves is Koba

Koba is an innovative type of animal-free fur made from kelp seaweed.

The innovation follows on the steps of ECOPEL,

the very first bio-based fur company that has made vegan fur to be used in the manufacturing of apparel.

Right now there are more than 300 leading fashion houses using Koba fur in replacement to real fur obtained from wild animals

Animal-Free Wool From Coconut Husks

Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard shell and the outer coat of a coconut.

As a natural fibre, coir is used in simple products such as floor mats, ropes, doormats, brushes and mattresses

However, after recent data has shown that when used as an animal-free alternative to wool, Coir could save over 450,000 tons of carbon emissions on an annual basis.

Recent innovations have improved Coir to the point of being used as a wool replacement in fashion and apparel products.

Moreover, if blended with other materials, the coconut fabric adds drying fast and odours absorbent properties.

That makes this material excellent for fitness gear, as it keeps the wearer cool and it offers UV protection.

Organic Cotton from Milk Protein

Casein, a milk by-product. is emerging as a new type of sustainable material.

Right now, casein is used with preponderance in the fitness industry.

However, making fabrics from milk is not a new technology.

The modern milk-based fabric has a comfortable texture, looks like cotton, and it is very healthy for your skin.

German fashion designer named Anke Domaske had created Qmilch –world’s first casein fibre made without chemicals – the milk-based thread got recognised as a natural, organic, and eco-friendly material

Cruelty-free Silk From Banana Stem

Banana is one of the most known

and loved fruits all over the world.

But, apart from being loved for its edible part, this is loved for its stems

(abaca) as well.

It is said that roughly one billion

tons of banana stems are

discarded every year.

Finally, some researchers have found a way to

take these wasted stems and put

them to good use – Abaca for

fashion.

The conversion process requires

around 35 kilograms of

stems.

In the end, about one kilogram of super-soft fibre results, ready to be turned into

textiles.

Abaca-based fabrics are suitable

for both humans and the

environment.