THE MATERIALS IN FASHION ARE GETTING MORE UNIQUE, DON’T YOU THINK?

By: Erica Commisso 

Whether it be for the sake of the planet, innovation or for any number of reasons, the fashion industry is getting more creative than ever before. From upcycled products to new scientific innovations, brands are using a wide range of unique materials to create marketable, trendy pieces that don’t harm the environment, reduce fashion’s waste problem, or even take discarded products or pollutants out of landfills. 

For example, Stella McCartney launched pieces made out of Mylo, an alternative leather made from mushroom roots, in 2022, the same year Zara unveiled products made from LanzaTech’s carbon-capturing material. And innovation has skyrocketed since: A material called BLOOM, which was originally developed in 2015, is becoming more common in the footwear space, brands are using sustainable, ethical methods to produce vegan leather, and accessories are being made out of bicycle tubes. There’s even a sustainable denim textile that enhances performance. 

Credit: James Lee / @picsbyjameslee

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Future Fabrics Expo, which exhibits 10,000 textiles and sustainable solutions from 150 companies at its annual convention. So far, 50 innovations in textiles have come out of the expo alone, proving the value and desire in creating a more circular economy. 

And brands like Italian-based company Save the Duck are at the forefront of this textile revolution. “We are constantly looking for alternative solutions that may one day replace the use of synthetic materials,” says Nicolas Bargi, the founder and CEO of the brand. “The padding in our garments is PLUMTECH®, a synthetic, 100% polyester, heat-insulating material that recreates the softness of real down while retaining the benefits of thermal padding.

“It is crucial for us to preserve animals, such as geese, from exploitation in clothing production. With a view to decreasing environmental impacts, we are more and more using, in the production of our garments, our PLUMTECH® padding in the recycled version, sourced from PET bottle bodies.” 

Other brands like R0AM use BLOOM and other sustainable, innovative textiles to reduce their environmental footprints. BLOOM acts like a plastic, allowing it to blend with other polymers to create a sturdy base for footwear, but it’s also used in sporting goods, foam insulation, and even in automotive components–a testament to its durability.

Courtesy: Jordan Whitfield / @whitfieldjordan

“We’ve been focused on creating as little harm as possible wherever we can. We use all vegan, in-market luxury materials - no animals are harmed and we do not mill new fabrications, instead choosing to be part of the solution by using materials already made,” says Kay Sides, the founder of R0AM. “And now, we’ve incorporated BLOOM algae technology into our slipper category. Each product made with BLOOM has its own environmental impact called ‘eco-facts,’ which show how much water was cleaned and returned to the environment and how much carbon dioxide was captured. 

“While excess algae can be harmful to the environment, BLOOM transforms it into a solution - creating sustainable materials by harvesting nuisance algae and returning clean water back to the ecosystem.”

In the denim and activewear world, brands like DUER are using a textile dubbed Performance Denim, which offers single-layer warmth plus DWR treatment to keep wearers dry. They’ve also developed a flannel offering with the same technology, made with lightweight graphene nanofibres that help regulate temperature and also boasts moisture-wicking and static-resistant properties. And DUER’s most iconic textile is innovative in itself: The brand’s No Sweat fabric combines ultra-soft natural fibers with built-in stretch, moisture-wicking TENCEL™ Lyocell and odour resistance to create outerwear that’s built to last. 

Whether it be for function, sustainability, or a combination of the two, textile innovations are changing the fashion industry, driving change to minimize harm and improve sustainability by prolonging garment life, using upcycled and innovative materials, and creating a more circular fashion economy.

Cover Image Credit: Rasa Kasparaviciene / @gervele