The Lower Impact Materials That Make Our Clothing Uniquely Comfortable

The Faherty Journal 04.11.23

We recognize the negative effect the fashion industry has on the planet and we are committed to making thoughtful and intentional decisions to reduce environmental harm. Everything starts with fabric for us, so we scour the world for the best of the best, in order to design the highest quality clothing in a responsible way.

We define preferred materials as more responsible alternatives to conventional fibers, with a lower social and environmental impact. We also use recyclable packaging and partner with responsible manufacturers and material suppliers.

Get to know some of the lower impact materials that help us make our incredibly comfortable designs.

CLOUD COTTON

A blended fabric made from 60% Peruvian Pima Cotton and 40% TENCEL™ Modal, this fabric is the softest cotton we’ve ever felt and is made specifically at the Romosa Mill in Peru. TENCEL™ Modal is made from cellulosic fibers derived from wood pulp and adds to the fabric’s soft and pleasant feeling on your skin, as well as being breathable and color-retentive.

The Peruvian Pima Cotton we use is fully traceable back to the farm and it’s picked by hand. The TENCEL™ Modal we design with is sourced from responsibly managed forests that are FSC or PEFC certified, along with being made of fibers that are certified as biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil, freshwater, and marine environments. These fibers are also produced responsibly, in a process that efficiently uses water, renewable energy and lower carbon emissions.

Where we use it: Cloud Cotton collection

LENZING™ ECOVERO™

A branded name for viscose from Austrian textile company Lenzing, Ecovero™ is a responsible kind of viscose, man-made from cellulosic fibers that are derived from certified renewable wood sources. It’s breathable, dries quickly, lightweight, and has a soft hand feel that makes it comfortable.

The wood and pulp is derived from certified and controlled sources in sustainably managed forests. It has a lower water impact than conventional viscose and the water used in its production is cleaned up before it’s returned to nature.  Lenzing™ Ecovero™ uses a responsible production process that generates significantly lower CO2 emissions than conventional viscose which helps to combat climate change. And its fibers are certified by the internationally recognized EU Ecolabel for textiles, which is  awarded only to products and services that have a significantly lower environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.

Where we use it: Lightweight Movement™ Flannel, Carmel Linen Dress and more

LINEN

A natural fiber that comes from the stalk of the flax plant, linen has thermoregulating properties that make it both insulating in cold weather and breathable in warm weather. 

All parts of the flax plant are used when making linen, which minimizes the fabric’s waste. It requires less water, chemical fertilizer and pesticides, and its production has low emissions due to reduced inputs of water and chemicals.

Where we use it: Linen Laguna Shirt, Isha Linen Dress, Pacifica Linen Tank and more

 ORGANIC COTTON

Organic cotton is absorbent, breathable, comfortable, and soft. It’s also durable and both hand and machine washable, due to its strength when wet.

Organic cotton promotes biodiversity and both protects and regenerates ecosystems. Its farming practices also increase organic matter in the soil, which improves soil health, reduces erosion, and captures carbon.

Where we use it: Sunwashed Pocket Tee, Annabelle Dress and more

RECYCLED POLYESTER

Mainly using plastic bottles or packaging and textile waste as its raw material (instead of a non-renewable resource like petroleum), recycled polyester is a resilient, moisture-resistant, and quick-drying fabric. It doesn’t tear easily, doesn’t require a lot of special care, and it holds its shape.

Recycled polyester reduces the reliance the fashion industry has on fossil fuels and diverts plastics from landfills and oceans. The certified version of this fabric has to meet strict requirements for recycled input, chain of custody, social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions.

Where we use it: Beacon Trunk, Legend™ Sweater Shirt, Kids All Day Short and more 

TENCEL™ LYOCELL

A man-made cellulosic fiber from wood pulp extracted from sustainably managed forests, Tencel™ Lyocell is a durable and strong fiber that’s soft and gentle on the skin. It’s absorbent, breathable and releases moisture efficiently, so it supports the body’s natural thermal regulation. And it allows for deep dye penetration to its fiber structure, which results in brilliant colors that are less prone to fade, even after repeated washing.

Tencel™ Lyocell fiber is certified biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil and water environments, and it uses a unique, closed loop production system that uses less water, energy and chemicals, which results in lower CO2 emissions.

Where we use it: The Movement™ Shirt, Stretch Terry Short, Stretch Terry Wide Leg Pant and more

TENCEL™, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.

 

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