Every once and awhile as we conduct research online for information, new innovations and stories within the textile industry to develop and share with you, we stumble on unique individuals and companies doing interesting and often times fascinating things with fabric around the world. One such company is Tosheka Designs.
'Mushroom dress' created by Dutch textile designer Aniele Hoitink. Courtesy Aniela Hoitink / Neffa
At first glance Dutch textile designer Aniele Hoitink’s ‘Mushroom Dress’ looks to be made of some kind of light tissue lame or crushed sheer, but mushrooms? What’s next!?
Known as ‘muskin’, this leather like material is made from spores extracted from the upper button or ‘hat’ of the phellinus ellipsoideus mushroom through a process similar used for animal leather but without the use of tanning toxins or other chemicals, making it 100% natural. In addition to the material from the hat, the fleshy underpart, or root of the mushroom yields a fine, thread-like fabric of cells called mycelium. Found in several other variety of mushrooms, this wearable fiber has been weaved to create everything from clothing to accessories.
We are living in the age of fast fashion vs ethical fashion , where textile mills and design houses are now belting out new fashions almost 52 times a year instead of at the standard semi annual rate. Where the fashions are cheaper and the mentality cultivated in consumers is one of waste. The desire for instant gratification and an embedded, incessant need for the latest ‘in’ thing means once a new trend comes in, the easily affordable fashions are now disposable before they really had a chance to get any wear really. And since the new fashions are more accessible to the masses, what’s the incentive in saving them anyway? Do we really need to over-consume like this to make us FEEL rich or successful inside? And are we taking a moment to even question what the price being paid is on the other side?
This past weekend marked the 90th Anniversary of the Oscar’s , a night set aside each year to recognize excellence in cinematic achievements within the American film industry. However, for many fashionistas, designers and viewers worldwide, it is the night of the red carpet fashion parade. For fashion watchers this time, it was the night Rita Moreno turned the Oscar’s red carpet green.
As in years past, there often unfolds a seemingly unintentional color palate or design concept that becomes the fashion theme for the night. Whether it is black and form fitting or low plunging necklines and open backs, which fashion trends take center stage is always an anticipation and highlight.
With the summer quickly moving along and temperatures running high, naturally anti-bacterial and odor resistant organic bamboo fabric which is breathable even in the hottest weather, is also one of the coolest summer fabrics in town and we have Mother Nature to thank for that!
Traditionally used in China and Japan to make hats and shoes, and in the South Pacific for housing and utensils, bamboo has undergone many processes to create the fiberous form found in modern day wear. Whether you’re decorating your summer home, designing a collection, or simply making a few pieces for yourself, be beckoned by bamboo and keep your cool at the same time.
We are living in a time when the rich resources our loving Mother Earth has provided us with are now, as a result of abuse and misuse by man, in need of sustaining to ensure their provision not only for her living inhabitants now, but for future generations to come. It is because of this, that a growing awareness in and ‘go-green’ consciousness of creative ways to assist in this precious recycling of resources has developed. From Number 1 PET or PETE soda and water bottle plastics recycled into polar fleece, to the use of natural fibers, dyes and chemical free cleaning processes on our textile goods, being eco-friendly has become as necessary as it has trendy!
For many of us, the idea of ‘going green’ and playing a vital part in helping to save Mother Earth from resource depletion and over consumption, is more than just a passing fancy. J&O Fabric store is doing our part by bringing in more and more organic fabrics. As each day ushers in new devastating information pertaining to the effects of global warming, pollution in our air and waters, cancers in our food supply, and the long term effects of genetically modified textile crops such as our beloved cotton, more and more of us are raising our awareness to the fragile balance and co-dependency of man and nature, and are taking steps both big and small to ensure our survival and that of future generations. One such step that we can take as seamstresses, tailors, crafters, and designers, is to make our sewing environments more eco-friendly. With the running of our machines and the burning of the midnight oil (lights) to get our projects done sometimes, the amount of energy we use in the course of a day, a week, a month, adds up. When considering that the leading cause of our eco-system breakdown is still the burning of coal to generate electricity, we owe it to Mother Nature to do our part, one change at a time.
Dear Netfah,
I am working on reusable bags for my kids and Xmas gifts, but heard a lot of the nylon, PUL (polyurethane) fabric and other stuff are not food safe. Any sugestions for ‘food safe’ fabrics or alternatives for my project?
Thank You
Leilane
Dear Leilane,
For big corporations and small businesses alike, ‘green’ has become the new ‘black’ in consumer product marketing. And luckily for them, this eco-friendly revolution has brought many a follower to their doors. Seems every few years, the marketing industry decides what the ‘in’ fabric, service, idea, trend or fashion is going to be, and we buy it. Literally. Whether we know better or not, we give into the hype and join the wave of folks just like us who were born originals yet live our lives as copies of whatever the mass media dictates. I mean, who wants to be different anyway right? An idea is cultivated, a desire is imbedded, and a demand is made for more. The demand raises the value, the value raises the price, next thing you know we are spending $50 for a pair of eco-friendly reconstructed jeans that look just like the patched up jeans our mothers sewed together from some old denim in her fabric bin the year before for free.
From May 9-15th 2010, government and health organizations around the country will be empowering women to reclaim their health through various workshops, programs, and initiatives designed to educate women regarding health concerns primarily affecting their peer group. Coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), National Women’s Health Week strives to bring awareness to the necessity and importance of not only elevating the health standards of women across the country, but making the health concerns of women a top priority.1. Get at least 2-3 hours of moderate physical activity, 1-2 hours of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week
