Our Materials
Hemp and Linen are both bast fibers, meaning that the fiber used to make textiles is taken from the stem of the plant and not from its flowers. They have even more in common: they grow very fast and are naturally pest-resistant, which means they need very little chemical input. When grown in Europe under normal circumstances, no irrigation is needed.
Linen
Also known as flax, linen is a long-line fiber mostly grown in Europe. Three-quarters of the global linen production comes from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The process to transform the plant into fibers is still mostly handmade. It's the combination of an adequate Western European climate and unique expertise that makes linen part of the history and culture of the region. Our garment supplier in India buys European Flax-certified fabric.
Hemp
Hemp is a versatile plant, traditionally used for rope making due to its sturdiness, it is also used to produce paper and textiles. Made from fibers sourced from the stem of the Cannabis Sativa plant, it’s also one of the fastest-growing, most self-sufficient fibers to grow. Hemp also has anti-erosion properties and can drain soil from poisonous substances and heavy metals.
Synthetic fibers represent around 65% of the global fiber production. Synthetic fibers are good to use for some categories of garments, such as sport or outerwear, but using fossil fuel-based fibers for garments such as t-shirts or dresses is unnecessary.
On the other hand, linen and hemp together represent less than 1% of the global fiber production.*
Linen and hemp, on top of having strong environmental benefits, also have unique properties for textile use. Both are long-line fibers, the plants can grow very high. Long fibers cause less pillage over time, which makes them very durable. Linen is recognized for having breathability and thermo-regulation properties. Hemp is a strong fiber, in our products, we mix it with cotton, which reduces the water footprint of the garment, while giving it a unique textured feeling.
By offering creative garments made of linen and hemp, we help to democratize their use in the fashion industry, showing that they are a great alternative to synthetic fibers.
*Based on Textile Exchange 2024 Material Market report
