A Glimpse at the Sustainable Brands With One Foot In The Future of Textiles

In the middle of the hustle and bustle at Munich Fabric Start's Keyhouse, we discovered the Sustainable Innovation stand curated by Simon Angel.

Munich Fabric Start 2018 is on a mission. Determined to bring textile innovation to the forefront, they have been busy showing their visitors another side of the textile fabrics industry. Working with Sourcebook and also FashNerd.com this season, the international tradeshow has managed to complement the Keyhouse with an impressive lineup of Munich Fabric Start exhibitors who challenge the current market with their new textile innovations. Some of these brands were showcased in the Sustainable Innovation section of the show.

Munich Fabric Start

Sustainable Fibres Meets Manufacturing Technologies

In the middle of all the hustle and bustle was the Sustainable Innovation stand. It highlighted forward-looking brands giving us a glimpse into the world of innovative materials, sustainable fibres and manufacturing technologies. The first company that caught our eye was Studio Tjeerd Veenhoven. Exploring algae fabrics, we were intrigued by the unique process that Studio Tjeerd Veenhovem uses for turning algae into yarns. Offering a recyclable raw material alternative to traditional textiles, the Dutch studio, which won the Global Change Award from H&M Foundation in 2016, admitted that although they have faced challenges, they are still determined to establish a more sustainable manufacturing technology within the fashion industry.

“They have developed a technology that converts algae into a textile raw material.”

So far, they have developed a technology that converts algae into a textile raw material. Known as project ‘AlgaeFabrics’, Studio Tjeerd Veenhoven uses an algae species that is rich in cellulose called Cladophora. The process requires them to first collect the algae, then wash and dry it before pulverising it and converting it into vegetable filament yarns. This is a necessary step in ensuring that algae is suitable for a wide variety of applications like yarns for the textile industry.

Smart Textile
Munich Fabric Start Sustainable Innovation Stand: Doppelhaus

Another brand that popped onto our radar was Doppelhaus. Already a household name, Doppelhaus’ CloudWool brand produces non-woven fabrics that have a low environmental impact. Presenting a sustainable non-woven fabric which is a more flexible and lighter to the industry, Doppelhaus has confidently been able to minimise unnecessary waste thanks to new technological developments like hydro felting non-wovens.

ALSO READ: When Sustainability, Transparency and Zero Waste Is About Respecting Your Clothes

One of the big names showcasing at Sustainable Innovations was Dutch designer Pauline van Dongen. In cooperation with Santoni Laboratory, van Dongen also partnered up with Eva x Carola. Together they developed a smart all-in-one approach to manufacturing. The end result was a backpack made using one piece of fabric.  Tackling fabric waste in a conventional manner, the backpack also has hidden features like when the light is shined onto the pearl-studded closure, power is generated. This is due to each bead having a tiny round solar cell that is woven into the substrate material.

Sustainable
Munich Fabric Start Sustainable Innovation Stand: Pauline van Dongen backpack

Lastly, we were wowed by the sustainable label to watch Baseville. It is a Portuguese brand that is unafraid to challenge the industry with its decision to go back to basics.  From raw materials to suppliers selection, all the pieces that they have produced so far have a reduced eco-footprint. This is mainly down to the process chain which has been developed to obtain the most sustainable essential pieces.

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Founding Editor in Chief at FashNerd.com | editor@fashnerd.com | Website

Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta is currently one of the leading influencers writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology. She has also given talks at Premiere Vision, Munich Fabric Start and Pure London, to name a few. Besides working as a fashion innovation consultant for various fashion companies like LVMH Atelier, Muchaneta has also contributed to Vogue Business, is a senior contributor at The Interline and an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, UAL.