The pandemic has sparked a sharp increase in interest in sustainable materials, with many brands over the past year striving to get rid of fabrics of dubious quality and polluting dyes. Summer has come – and many designers have called linen the most relevant material of the season. Daria Lepina, designer and creator of the La Darique fashion brand, told us why linen can be considered an environmentally friendly material.
We have begun to choose clothes that are not only fashionable and durable, but also environmentally friendly, harmless to our health and the health of the planet. Linen does not adhere too tightly to the body, it “breathes” and therefore it is easier to endure heat in clothes made of this material. But can not only women of fashion but also defenders of nature admit their love for him?
Linen: a safe trend or a threat to the environment?
Recently, the fashion industry is increasingly talking about organic flax. And if the concept of organic cotton entered our life for a long time, then many have not yet had time to figure it out with flax. Does this mean that making linen clothes can still harm the planet?
The first mention of flax dates back to the 8th century BC. Linen was made by hand and used to create ritual garments for the priests of Ancient Egypt and Greece. Many years have passed since then: the industrial production of flax was established, which manufacturers sought to reduce the cost as much as possible. To increase their income, they used nitrates to grow flax. They fell into the water and caused enormous damage to the ecosystems of the planet. Some of them also used pesticides. The good news is that the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) was invented – and now it applies not only to cotton but also to linen fabrics.
And yet, if we are talking about honest brands, then linen is one of the most stylish and biodegradable fabrics in the fashion world. It is durable, resistant to damage from frequent washing. Linen is biodegradable if the brand has not used dyes or has only used organic pigments. Natural shades of natural flax, which has not been dyed – ivory, ecru, light brown and light gray. A fabric made of such a material perfectly absorbs moisture, preventing the growth of bacteria that can cause dermatological diseases.
Why linen clothing is the future?
Because her creation fully meets all sustainable principles. Flax can grow even on poor soils: it can be planted where other plants do not produce any crop. According to the European Confederation of Flax and Hemp, only 6.4 liters of water are needed to make a full linen shirt, while a cotton shirt will take at least 2,700 liters. I learned about this when I created my summer collection La Darique The Linen Story from 100% natural linen.
It is also important that the maximum benefit can be expected from the waste of making clothes from flax. Its byproduct is flaxseed oil, a valuable source of Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids. Linseed oil can be seasoned in salads, added to dietary supplements and used as an antioxidant that prevents early aging and chronic inflammation. That is why flax can be confidently called not only fashionable, but also an environmentally friendly trend of the coming summer.