fabric stories

Cotton is, perhaps, the queen of fabrics. The fabric is pleasant and supple, soft and breathable and is a big part of our life here – in clothes, in bed linen and so on. But the growing of cotton, which accounts for 50% of all crops for textile purposes, has a huge negative impact on the planet. About 25% of the insecticides in useare spread over cotton fields. These substances endanger the lives of the cotton pickers, damage the soil, pollute the water sources, and ultimately remain in the material touching our skin. The cotton plant requires a lot of water and some estimates show it to be the biggest consumer of water of all agricultural crops.

• Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown with minimal damage to the environment.
• No pesticides are used and chemicals play no part in the process.
• A different method of irrigation is used, resulting in a high-quality and lightweight textile that respects the environment, the growers, and those who wear it.

Linen fabric is made from the cellulose fibers that grow within the stalks of the flax plant. Flax has served mankind for more than tens of thousands of years, and fabrics were already produced from it in ancient Egypt. It was used for the robes of priests and noblemen, and became a symbol of purity and protection from evil. The fashion industry does not make great use of it because of its high productionand handling costs but, in our view, its unique characteristics justify the effort.

• The structure of the flax fiber allows absorption and quick drying, which means that our skin can breathe and balance itself freely.
• Linen has an excellent capacity for natural thermal insulation. It is cool in the heat (dropping 3-4 degrees below room temperature, which is very handy in the heat of summer!), helps the body regulate temperature in the cold, and generally supports balancing of body temperature.
• Linen is a fabric that is non-allergenic, antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-static. It has so many ‘anti’ qualities, that we are totally ‘pro’ the fabric!
• Linen’s high absorbencyand special structure means that itabsorbs dyeing colors wonderfully well, resultingin deeper and richer colors that are always heart warming.

Bamboo is a relatively new and exciting material in the textile world. Fabrics made from it have a natural brilliance that resembles silk, and they have a particularly soft and luxurious feel to them. The fibers breathe and are lighter and airier than any other natural fabric, making it the perfect fabric for yoga garments. They are perfect for the Mediterranean climate and the body’s needs during physical exercise.

• Bamboo fabric is 100% natural and 100% antibacterial.
• Bamboo is an environmentally-friendly crop – it does not require fertilizer and requires very little water.
• The impressive rate of bamboo growth (certain varieties grow at a rate of one meter per day!) ensures that there is no fear of its disappearance.
• Bamboo grows very densely so the area of cultivated land is reduced. Many communities around the world are switching to bamboo crops to preserve open spaces and keep the forests around them free of cultivation.

Tencel and modal arerelatively recent additions to the world of textiles. Both aresourced from the processing of wood and other organic materials, and manufactured by man using advanced technology. Although the process is innovative and industrial, and sounds light years away from organic, the weave is a real innovation when it comes to environmental protection. They are made from trees grown in forests under strict supervision. The production process is energy efficient, non-polluting and has aparticularly low carbon dioxide footprint. Fine and heavy fabrics can be made in a range of different finishes. Many features are common to both families:

• Highly breathable and moisture absorbent fabrics with good cooling qualities.
• Antibacterial – and so does not cause odors – and hypoallergenic.
• Has a linen-like feel, making it very airy and pleasant to the touch. Is highly resistant to the effects of time, weather and the environment – in other words, these fabrics are unlikely to fade, harden or ‘pill’.
• Almost completely resistant to shrinkage and creasing, even if you leave them a little too long in the dryer.