NATURAL FABRICS
WHY CHOOSE NATURAL FIBRES
Fashion ranks among the most polluting industries in the world, second only to the refining of oil.
The choice of fabrics was thus one of the points on which we lingered longest before undertaking the Filotimo project. Sustainable fashion can take on many guises and the choices available are varied.
We wanted to create a product that was virtuous from an environmental point of view and, at the same time, beneficial for the wearer. As in all things, perfection remains a beautiful utopia and even in the field of fibres there is no single type that is perfect from all points of view. There are 100% recycled polyester fabrics that are perhaps among the most sustainable of all but, as consumers, we would not be able to tolerate a jersey made with this material.
At the same time, a cotton fabric is the most comfortable that one can find but brings with it a series of significant environmental problems. Thus the choice fell on natural fibres, because they come from renewable, biodegradable raw materials and are known for their beneficial properties.
However, since not all natural fibres are as virtuous as they may seem, we decided to carry out a careful selection and to make use of only those with a low environmental impact, either by their nature or by the type of processing they are subject to.
HEMP
“DON’T JUDGE ME, I’M BETTER THAN MY COUSIN!”
Resistant and long-lasting, this is the vegetable fibre with the best transpiration and liquid absorption capacity. The fabric is warm in winter and very cool in summer. Both antibacterial and hypoallergenic, it is also highly protective because it filters out a significant percentage of ultraviolet and infrared rays while providing a micro-massage to the skin that promotes circulation. It is among the most ecological fibres of because it does not require pesticides or large areas of land and is used in its entirety without producing waste (find out where our fabric waste ends up)
NETTLE
“DON’T WORRY, I DON’T STING”
This is a very valuable fibre: shiny, soft and uniform, increasing in resistance with the passage of time. The fabric is antistatic and hypoallergenic, with good absorbency, airy like linen and shiny like silk. It has a range of different functions, depending on how the fibre is twisted, approaching the characteristics of cotton or wool. Given the perennial and weedy nature of the plant, it does not require the use of herbicides and other pesticides during cultivation.
WOOL
“I’M NOT JUST A WINTER FABRIC!”
As a result of its insulating properties, wool adapts to the surrounding environmental temperature and can be used both in summer, when it prevents external heat from coming into contact with the body, and in winter, because it prevents body heat from dispersing. It absorbs water and sweat very well without feeling damp. It is water-repellent and stain-resistant by nature, due to the natural grease that covers the fibre. It protects from UVA rays and, by preventing bacterial proliferation, resists unpleasant odours very well.
LINEN
“I AM A LITTLE ROUGH, BUT WITH TIME I SOFTEN UP”
Soft and flexible, this is the oldest textile fibre. It is more resistant and shiny than cotton but has less elasticity. Hygienic and hypoallergenic, it does not retain odours, does not attract dust and is very breathable. As a result of its high thermal conductivity, the fabric is extremely cool. With washing it becomes softer and its quality improves. With a lower environmental impact than cotton, it resists the attacks of pests well and requires only a limited use of pesticides, but has significantly higher production costs.
SILK
“I CAN BE BOTH COOL AND HOT”
An ancient and valuable fibre, silk is appreciated for its fineness and brightness. Its lightness is often misleading and, in fact, silk is ideal for conserving body heat. It absorbs sweat well, letting the skin transpire, allowing for the removal of unpleasant odours and does not attract dirt. Burette silk, also called raw silk, is obtained by waiting for the silkworm larva to complete its metamorphosis and come out of the cocoon and is richer in sericin, a protein substance that has moisturizing effects on the skin.
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