Five times stronger than steel, three times tougher than nylon or Kevlar, yet a fraction of the width of human hair, spider silk is one of the planet’s most valuable, if tricky to mass-produce, textiles.
IKEA made history last month when it became the first major retailer to obtain 100 percent of its cotton from “more sustainable sources,” specifically farmers who “use less water, less chemical fertilizers, and pesticides,” according to the Swedish furnishings giant, which uses around 0.7 percent of the world’s cotton in everything from sofas to dishtowels.
American Eagle’s latest line of jeans comes with a side of coffee—recycled coffee, that is.
A San Francisco startup is giving spiders and silkworms a run for their money. Bolt Threads has developed a synthetic, “programmable” alternative to larval- or arachnid-produced silk. Engineered using proteins derived from yeast, the fibers can be manipulated to deliver any combination of softness, strength, and durability. They’re even machine-washable.
G-Star Raw, which previously collaborated with fashion and music mogul, Pharrell Williams on an line of ocean-plastic-derived apparel, has pledged to use only forest-friendly fibers in its rayon and viscose clothing.
Adidas, Nau, REI, Timberland are among the latest outdoor-apparel brands to commit to the Responsible Down Standard, according to Ecouterre.
The Textile Exchange has just released a new study proving that organic cotton causes less environmental damage than conventional cotton.
ASOS, Levi Strauss, and Marks & Spencer are the latest clothing brands to connect with Canopy Style, a nonprofit that seeks to eliminate endangered-forest fibers from the garment supply chain.
Hana Mitsui, a Royal College of Art student, has developed a process to transform deadstock fabrics into luxurious new garments.
H&M is set to develop a “responsible” Ethiopian textile industry with the backing of Swedfund. Swedfund, a state-owned risk-capital firm that specializes in emerging markets, is throwing its financial clout behind the Swedish retailer in a partnership designed to develop a “responsible” Ethiopian textile industry.