Eco-friendly textiles

‘When I wear flax or bamboo it gives me the impression of supplying oxygen to my skin, like it’s breathing in the air of the plant that the clothes are made from’ says Katie. Though we may be returning to these soft, wrinkled textiles in shades of straw, sand or fern it’s less for nostalgia than for a desire to save our skin, and the planet. But beware; a product that markets itself as ‘natural’ isn’t always 100% eco-friendly. Cellulose, starch or proteins are sometimes extracted from plants and dissolved into harmful substances so as to regenerate the fibre (which means they’re actually classified as ‘artificial’, not ‘natural’).

However, the industry is reacting positively in all areas of the production process; organic plants are grown, recyclable materials and vegetable dyes used and many brands are now incorporating the notion of fair trade.

Ecologically ‘correct’

These eco fibres have it all. As well as cotton (which is becoming more and more organic) and flax, numerous unexpected plants are also being used to make ‘intelligent’ fabrics. They’re practical too, and machine washable, and they’re notable too for instilling us with the virtues of the plants they’re made from, which is great for our wellbeing. They can also be worn to cultivate a ‘natural’ image, without having to resort to an out of fashion rusticity. From bath linen to street-wear, these fibres can stand up to the turbulence of life and bring with them a certain simple luxury that you can wear.

BAMBOO: Antibacterial

Smooth to touch and with a shine that gives sumptuousness to even the least woven or knitted tank top., this material, new to the fashion world, comes from Chinese or Japanese bamboo shoots. Another advantage of bamboo is that it can grow over a metre a day – with four times less water than cotton. Thanks to these numerous virtues the fabric is used in all different ways – as towels, fashion clothing, lingerie, socks and various knitwear articles.

Advantages: Bamboo is antibacterial and odourless – it dries quickly (it’s five times more absorbent than cotton) and apparently you don’t even need to iron it! It also stimulates circulation.

ALGAE: Enriching minerals

This new fibre, named Seacell, recalls a thermal cure with its brown and red algae from Iceland added to another fibre derived from wood pulp (Lycocell), and that diffuse their active properties to the skin. The result is a sensation of immediate well-being and according to the manufacturer, Zimmer AG, this re-mineralisation lasts 25 washes.

Advantages: The humidity of the body liberates nutrients from the Algae fabric (including calcium, magnesium and vitamin E), which stimulate the metabolism. It hydrates, firms the skin and rids the body of excess water. It’s also endowed with certain healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-irritation properties.