Why Hemp Fabric?
Hemp clothing is becoming increasingly more popular with the rise of sustainable fashion. Hemp has had a complicated past. It was viral until growing hemp in the United States became illegal under the Marihuana Tax Act in the 1970s. Generally, it was replaced by cotton in the fashion industry. However, as the 2018 Farm Bill opened the doors to U.S. hemp cultivation again, hemp has made a comeback, with eco-friendly clothing becoming more popular. The hemp clothing market is expected to grow at a rate of 49.9% for the forecast period of 2021 to 2028.
As being the second most polluting industry, we all understand that fashion needs sustainable alternatives.
Hemp is no question a sustainable substitute for synthetics and cotton.
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From growing to getting the plant to factory, hemp is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than cotton, not to mention how much better it is than synthetic fibers are produced. Today oil-based synthetics make up 62% of worldwide fiber consumption, with cotton accounting for 26% of the fiber market, while natural fibers, like hemp and linen, only make up about 5%.
What is Hemp fabric?
Hemp fibers are separated from the bark through a process called “retting,” then are spun together to produce a continuous thread that can be woven into a fabric.
Hemp fabric is a sustainable fabric that can be made in various commercial and industrial products, including rope, textiles, clothing, shoe, insulation, and more.
Hemp clothing is remarkably lightweight and absorbent, and it definitely will last longer than its synthetic counterparts.
What to love
Hemp fabric is one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics available. It controls the erosion of topsoil and produces oxygen. The process of growing hemp is carbon negative because it absorbs more CO2 than trees.
Unlike cotton, which is a demanding crop, hemp can crowd out weeds without the need for herbicides and thus is naturally resistant to many insect species. Hemp requires relatively little, half as much water as cotton, to cultivate. It is almost zero waste in the hemp production process. We can use the stalks for fiber and the seeds for food supplements and hemp oil.
Hemp grows fast, it produces more fiber per acre than trees, and you can plant up to three crops worth in a single year.
What we might not love as much
Pure hemp fiber can be pretty rough to the touch or not draped well enough; it is sometimes mixed with other fibers to overcome such limitations. In such a case, it might not easily recycle mixed hemp fabric disposal. Still, if it combines other natural materials, such as cotton or silk, the combination could remain biodegradable.
Brands Initiatives
It is not questionable that hemp is a great fabric for clothing for its comfort and durability. Many clothing brands have begun integrating the eco-friendly crop into their garments, contributing to sustainable production and changing the textile industry potentially.
Patagonia, one of the leading sustainable outdoor wear brands, offers an extensive hemp clothing collection for men, women, and children. The company describes its hemp fabrication as yielding “a beautiful linen-like fiber that’s strong, flame retardant and antimicrobial. We find it makes clothes more durable, breathable, and broken-in from the first time you wear them.”
Levi’s introduced its first “cottonized hemp” denim jean in collaboration with Outerknown under its Wellthread x Outerknown line. The brand started a movement to replace some of the demanding conventional cotton with hemp mixed materials in its collection that feels just as good, if not better.
Moreover, former Project Runway designer Korto Momolu has proven that hemp is ready for the runway. Momolu introduced a 26-piece collection in sustainable hemp, jute, linen, and cork in the recent New York Fashion Week.
We expect to see more hemp fashion entering the mainstream and none too soon. Hemp may be one way the fashion industry can save the world and itself. Beyond Nice will be introducing more sustainable fashion brands that focus on hemp fabrics that give comfort and style without hurting the planet.