Many of us are paying attention to who makes our clothes, how they are made, and where they are made. Fast-fashion is so last year. Look towards plant-based clothing for you and your new babe.
Yup—pineapple leaves—you want to be wearing pineapple leaves—translation—the products made from pineapple leaves because it’s an environmentally friendly leather.
“Pinatex is made from the waste leaves of the pineapple plant. These leaves are a by-product from the existing pineapple harvest, so the raw material requires no additional resources to produce.”
So, cheers to you next time you’re out (Dad is, of course, taking care of the kids), and you order a Pina Colada.
You’re kinda-sorta helping the environment.
Check out the process on the Pinatex website. After the pineapple harvest, the leaves are collected in bundles, the long fibers are extracted, and then purified by washing and drying in the sun. A fluff-like material is created.
This Pina-felt is colored with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified pigments and a resin top coating is applied for additional strength, durability and water resistance.
And, ta-da—you have new leather to create those stylin’ shoulder bags and classy kicks to wear pushing the baby stroller. Some brands using this material include Hugo Boss and H&M.
This new leather is better for you and the planet as opposed to animal based leather that typically uses hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde and heavy metals in the production. And, by the way, fake leather comes from petroleum.
You could be wearing oranges too! Silk anyone?
Oranges can be turned into fabric as well. Adriana Santanocito discovered that more than 700,000 tons of citrus juice by-product are produced every year in Italy. So, Santanocito, started a company called Orange Fiber in 2014.
Her company’s silk-like fabric is created from everything left over after the industrial squeezing of citrus fruit. The citrus cellulose is extracted, spun, and turned into a yarn when the sustainable fabric can then be produced.
The fabric is soft and silky. It can be opaque or shiny and ideal for luxury fashion. Salvatore Ferragamo introduced a collection using this new fiber this year.
A more well-known plant-based fabric commonly used in baby clothing is organic cotton. Organic cotton relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than the use of artificial elements such as pesticides and other chemicals that cause adverse effects.
So, pay attention to the tag—conventional cotton is treated with chemicals such as chlorine bleach and formaldehyde. The chemicals can wear down the fibers and are no so good for you and your baby’s skin.
Tencel Clothing
But, wait, there’s more…Tencel (a cellulose fiber made from wood pulp), Hemp, Banana stem fiber and Muskin(mushroom fiber) is being woven into fashion as well.
Muskin Products
So, over the next couple of days as you down your morning OJ, eat banana bread, or sip a fruity colada (after 5:00 somewhere)—sometime soon you and your babe may be wearing it.
