Here is a round-up of the latest in fabrics and fibers – from denim and vegan leather to functional materials.
Coffee-leftovers clothes? Yes, please!
The North Face is launching “Glacier Pack,” a new outdoor hiking apparel collection inspired by three women hikers–Lucy Walker, Daisy Voog and Beatrice Tomasson. This collection, while celebrating women, is made with S.Café’s sustainable fabrics obtained from transforming coffee remains into a functional and comfortable fabric with moisture wicking and cooling effects. It includes T-shirts, Bermudas, shorts and windproof outer jackets.

Photo: The North Face
The North Face Glacier Pack made with sustainable fabrics obtained from transforming coffee remains into fibers
Why cactus doesn’t sting
Cacto is a Mexican vegan accessory brand founded by entrepreneur Jesus Chavez and made with specially treated dried cactus leaves. This material comes from organic certified cactus plantations and is raised without herbicides and pesticides so that all the remaining organic cactus material not used in Cacto’s manufacturing process is exported and sold nationally in the food industry.

Photo: Cacto
Cactus leather case by Cacto
The accessories are produced by artisans in Mexico and sold through the brand’s website cacto.green. A wallet’s average price is US$155.
Through a partnership with On A Mission, a Swiss nonprofit organization, the company is also involved in a sustainable reforestation worldwide project.
Paper is the future–and the past
For s/s 2021, Japanese technical apparel brand Goldwin is launching Paper Fiber Socks, a product made from eco-friendly paper fiber obtained by combining high technology and Japanese craftsmanship. Goldwin will also soon launch a full apparel range made with this fiber according to the Japanese traditional material “Washi,” a traditional thin, durable and long-lasting paper with a story of about 1,400 years and recognized as one of Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage.

Photo: Goldwin
Paper fiber socks by Goldwin
Goldwin has combined a paper thread adding more softness to paper that is naturally stiff. Together with its supplier partners, it also developed an effective weaving method and a fiber that is five times stronger than the synthetic yarn used for sport socks, is lightweight and has natural moist-absorbing properties only obtained through the unique rough texture of the paper fiber.
Recycling has No Name
For summer 2021 No Name has launched a new responsible capsule by offering revisited versions of some of its iconic sneakers. Its Flex Ripple jogger shoes, for instance, have their uppers made from a patchwork of recycled denim pieces or in a knitted mesh version made from recycled plastic bottles.

Photo: No Name
No Name sneaker made of recycled denim
How sustainability gets sexy
Heist, a British underwear brand, has launched The Eco Lace Collection, as part of a series of initiatives meant to reduce its environmental impact. The new offering has silhouette-enhancing styles designed from 100% soft-touch recycled and recyclable lace, and sheer eco-mesh. Its materials include a lace made from 100% recycled polyamide, a mesh made with recycled polyamide and 14% elastane, and a new and recycled cotton mix.

Photo: Heist
Eco lace underwear by Heist
Brugnoli rides fast
Brugnoli, a Made-in-Italy manufacturer of circular knit fabrics for ready to wear, sports, swimwear and lingerie, has just launched its new Brugnoli Cycling Collection, a selection of 70 fabrics for cycling apparel.

Photo: Brugnoli
Brugnoli Cycling collection
Brugnoli was also recently granted with the ZDHC - Roadmap to Zero certification that adds to other company and product certifications including GRS, RWS, Oekotex Standard 100 and a double international patent for its Br4 eco-sustainable production process.
Say Saye
Saye is a 100% Made-in-Portugal sneaker brand. Its M89 Vegan Colores Collection shoes are made from Corn Vegan Leather, a new PETA-approved leather substitute from renewable resources obtained from non-food and GMO-free corn crops. Their inner lining is made entirely from bamboo, a fast-growing, self-generative and sustainable option.

Photo: Saye
Sneakers by Saye
Carbon fiber’s next challenge
AB Tech Lab Srl, a young Italian start-up that studies and develops fabrics from natural and mineral fibers, has just developed a 100% carbon fiber fabric.

Photo: AB Tech Lab
AB Tech Lab 100% carbon fiber fabric
AB Tech Lab also offers ABMergex, a mix of various fibers including steel, silver and copper. This fabric’s surface can be customized with a client’s logo thanks to the use of jacquard weaving and its fiber mix.
Betting on made to measure
Berto, an Italian denim manufacturer, is launching “Su Misura,” a new service aimed at young designers, start-up brands and companies focused on producing smaller quantities or other small fashion, interior, kitchenwear and accessories.

Photo: Berto
Berto launched its Su Misura service
Inside graphene
Technow is a rib of the over-60-year-old Italian textile manufacturer Lazzati. It was founded by Fabio Lazzati and his sons to develop innovative textiles.

Photo: Technow
Technow material using graphene
According to Technow, graphene's multiple applications and properties convey common textile products unique characteristics without altering their normal composition like, for instance, thermoregulation, anti-bacterial and anti-static properties.
The graphene used by Technow has bio-based origins as it derives from the carbonization of corn production waste. Therefore, according to the company, its environmental impact is very low.
Met Jeans throws a hope seed
Met Jeans has just launched Met Organic, a capsule collection offering various fit jeans all made with cotton grown organically, and according to sustainable practices. The cotton it uses for this collections come from fields cultivated according to rotation rhythms and uses low-environmental-impact methods.

Photo: Met Jeans
Met Organic denim capsule
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