We know that for quite a few years now, designers have been experimenting with various alternative fabrics that are eco friendly and that reduces its impact on the environment. We use solar water heating in our home and drive eco friendly cars, but do we adorn eco fashion? Fabrics such as hemp are nothing new but now, designers and manufacturers are pushing the boundaries and developing fabrics and materials that take eco fashion to an entirely new level. Once only thought of as “hippie fashion” eco friendly fashion is now becoming more trend conscious and the results are turning the catwalk ramp into a feast for the eye.
Sonic Fabric:
Deborah Lindquist has been known in the fashion industry for her eco friendly approach to couture and her most recent development brings fashion and recycling together in perfect harmony. Her creations have been featured in top fashion magazines and her latest use of sonic fabric is turning heads. A-list celebrity, Alison Brie recently adorned a beautiful black eco fashion bodice and revealed that the creation, designed by Lindquist, was made of sustainable sonic fabric. Sonic fabric is made from 50% audio cassette tapes and 50% colour fabric. The inside of the cassette tapes are deconstructed and woven together, making up a fabric that can be transformed into a natural eco fashion assemble. What makes this eco fashion fabric so amazing is that if you run a tape head over it you can hear actual sounds!
Cupro cotton:
When seeing these poised models take to the catwalk in these earthy tone flowing jackets and stretchy sleek numbers, you would never know that the material that they are wearing is actually pulp. Organic fashion designer Elaine Kim is a highly respected eco fashion guru and her latest chic creations are made from an interesting fabric – Cupro cotton. This cotton is made from regenerated cellulose fibres that have been taken from cotton husks and wood pulp that would have otherwise been thrown away. This eco fashion is highly sustainable as there is no affect on forests and therefore highly eco friendly.
Soy fabric:
Who knew that the leftovers from soy products such tofu could be manufactured and made into an eco fashion material that could be worn? Also known as vegetable cashmere, soy fabric uses soy proteins to weave a fibre that can be used for numerous clothing items. There are a handful of eco fashion designers that use soy as a part of their eco fashion line and for many, this fabric is much more than merely a fashion statement. Soy fabric is anti bacterial and absorbent when thrown away so there is no reason to feel bad once you have worn out the lifespan of that item. Slightly stretchy and extremely comfortable, soy fabric is spreading like wildfire as manufacturers begin mass producing this eco fashion fibre and embrace yet another form of green living.