The fashion industry experiments with new textiles, with an eye on the environment and recycling. After the traditional organic cotton, bamboo and hemp, it is taking another step forward, testing more extreme, versatile and innovative alternatives.
A few examples? Cork, which is waterproof, fireproof, long lasting and dirt resistant, or SeaCell, made from seaweed for modern mermaids. Some have rediscovered nettles, possibly the most sustainable raw material because it requires very little water, no pesticides, is highly resistant and does not sting. An all-Italian startup called Orange Fiber stands out amongst the latest trends in fashion textiles. This startup uses the cellulose contained in orange peel to produce a cosmetic fibre capable of depositing Vitamins A, C and E onto the skin. Creativity is always plentiful in the fashion and design sector and we must not forget to mention Pina Fiber made from pineapple leaves or Banana Fabric, made from the stems and leaves of banana trees.
The last frontier of experimentation is “fermented fashion”, which uses yeast and bacteria (by-products of green tea) to create new materials that can be used to make clothes, shoes and bags. This new fabric, which aims to replace petroleum-based synthetic leather, has been created in the laboratories of Iowa State University by the scientist Young-A Lee, who has mixed cellulose waste from the well-known beverage with sugar and vinegar to produce a gelatinous film that is 100% biodegradable.