Natural fabric is woven or knitted fibres produced from animal, vegetable and mineral sources. Vegetable or cellulose-based fibres include cotton, flax, jute, hemp and bamboo. Animal fibres are mainly protein-based and include wool and silk. Mineral fibres are rarely used in fashion fabrics production. Threads from metallic fibres can be used on textile machinery. They are also frequently combined with other fibres to produce fabric for industrial purposes.
Cotton fabric, which is formed from the fibres around the seeds of cotton plants, is one of the most widely used forms of textiles. '100% cotton' cloth is a natural product made entirely of cellulosic fibres. It is biodegradable, 100% environment-friendly, hypoallergenic, durable, soft and easy to care for. It is breathable and dust-mite resistant, thus reducing the chance of any skin allergies. It keeps moisture from building up between your skin and the material ensuring the comfort of the wearer.
Linen is one of the most widely used fabrics and is known as a strong, durable, and absorbent fabric. It is soft, comfortable, and it dries faster making it an ideal fabric for hot weather.
Produced from the flax plant's fine fibres, these fibres are extracted with care, spun into yarn, and then woven into long sheets of soft, long-lasting linen fabric.
An ultra-versatile and lightweight fabric, it is commonly used for home textiles. Even though these products are not usually made of linen cloth, the name "linens" are still applied to almost all home textiles.
Supima Cotton has extra-long staple fibre that provides premium qualities of strength, softness, and colour retention to the fabric. It is these fibres that distinguish Supima Cotton from other kinds of cotton. It's made from Gossypium barbadense, which is one of the world's softest and strongest cotton varieties. The brilliant yellow blooms of the Gossypium barbadense plant make it easy to recognise.
The majority of Supima cotton production is still done by hand. The manufacturing process begins by handpicking cotton seeds. Fibres are extracted from them and pressed into bales. They are then transported to a large-scale production facility and the fibres are transferred to a mixing machine.
After the fibres are mixed, they are carded to form a web of rope-like strands and then combed.
Supima fabrics are used in high-end consumer textiles and also as a substitute for silk. It is highly durable and resistant to pilling unlike other kinds of cotton making it a favourite among consumers.
Hemp fabric is a natural textile manufactured from the fibres of the Cannabis sativa plant. It has long been used for industrial uses such as rope and sails and is one of the most versatile and long-lasting natural fibres. It is grown and processed without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. As a result, hemp fibre is both natural and ecologically friendly. It absorbs moisture preventing bacteria formation, blocks ultraviolet rays, is durable and easily recyclable.
The fibres of the Cannabis sativa plant don't degrade even after dozens of washings. It is not susceptible to shrinkage, is highly resistant to pilling, and is highly durable. In addition, it is a soft and lightweight fabric, which means that it is highly breathable making it ideal for hot climates. It easily blends with other fibres to create a hemp blend fabric, retaining its strength while providing the comfort of softer, more refined textiles.
Banana fabric is a cruelty-free fabric that feels like real silk and is an amazing vegan alternative. A fabric made from the stalk and the outer and inner peels of bananas, it has a natural sheen allowing it to replicate silk fabric.
Banana stems and peels yield very fine fibres that can be made into textile products. This practice has been done for many centuries in Asian countries. Banana textiles are made in a sustainable, environmentally beneficial manner, as the plants rarely require fertilisers or pesticides. And the fabric itself is created by local communities of artisans who pass down these valuable, time intensive-skills to other generations. Banana fibre manufacturing, which is mostly done in India, comprises cultivation, fibre extraction, fibre processing, and sorting. A tough but fine and lustrous fibre is produced which when woven gives a supple yet versatile fabric. Banana fabrics have a low impact on the environment, have low energy consumption, and requires no chemicals to cultivate or manufacture. It is often weaved in local communities using electric-free looms.
Pinatex, often known as pineapple leather, is about to revolutionise the leather industry. If properly cared for, the plant-based leather fabric is significantly superior in terms of sustainability and lifespan. Having a unique but similar texture to animal skin leather it uses fewer resources and is more eco friendly.
Pinatex is a natural, cruelty-free and sustainable fabric. A natural material made from pineapple leaves-a byproduct of the fruit harvest-it is an innovative way of utilizing a waste product and thus reducing the amount of organic waste going to landfills and the methane emissions.
Fashion designers utilise it as an eco-friendly material for vegan leather since it is tough and resilient.
Fibres are extracted from the pineapple leaves after harvest and are washed and dried in the sun. They are then purified to obtain fluffy fibre. This fluff is mixed with acids and turned into a non-woven mesh which is then transported to another facility for finishing. For added durability, strength and water resistance an extra coating is given. The material, which is packaged in rolls, is then sent directly to exclusive designers and brands. The biomass that remains after the fibre is extracted is a very nutrient-rich natural fertiliser for the soil. It gets used as a biofuel.
Pinatex's versatility allows it to be utilised for nearly any fashion item, from watch straps to big coats. It also effectively reduces waste compared to when an irregularly-shaped animal hide is used. The most significant benefit of Pinatex is that it can be used instead of animal leather.
