NEWS

Concern for environmentally responsible products

Renewing expectations, each passing year, the natural fiber shows itself as a sustainable alternative for millions of people. They can be of vegetable origin, such as jute, cotton, sisal, flax, ramie, coir, or of animal origin such as hair fibers and silk. Currently, much of this material is used in the production of yarns for fabrics, handicrafts, ropes, bagging and carpets. Nowadays, consumers are attracted by products made from those fibers, especially for their rustic look; they do not mind paying more for unique items. Good resistance and ease in finding the raw materials are some, among many others, the benefits of natural fibers.
However, we can not consider only the positive aspects. The production of fabrics from natural fibers needs ? and a lot ? research into this field, says Neide Schulte, professor of the School of Fashion, University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC). "Gradually, the fashion industry is incorporating the use of natural fibers. For these fibers to become soft to the touch, they have to go through processes that tend to be as polluting as the processing of synthetic fibers. Indeed, this is a great dilemma in the quest for the development of environmentally sustainable products, because it is not enough to be environmentally correct. It is required to take care of the whole cycle, from the source of raw materials, through production, till the end of the process. In the genuine concept of environmental sustainability, there cannot exist waste?, emphasizes the professor. Neide reminded that there are already in the domestic market products that are 100% organic and mentioned the example of the Eden brand. From the planting up to the final product, all the steps are ecologically correct. The factory inclusively has a water treatment plant, indigo plant plantation used for dyeing, and in-house norms for recycling and conscientious consumption. Presently, more than 200 families of rural workers are involved in this project; they have a guarantee covering the purchase of their crops by the company.
Identified as a young talent, the designer Cristiane Lanzarin, student of the Course of Fashion of UDESC, believes there is indeed a "feeling of change in the air", which is each passing day more and more present in the world of fashion and in the society. "Anything is accepted - recycling, changing, transforming, reusing, recovering, proposing new ways to use things and other items, and the natural fibers are part of this scenario," said Cristiane. Source: www.edenfashion.com.br


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