Summer Semester 2010,
INDUSTRIALIZE NOW!
JEANS FROM HEMP
Almost left to oblivion the wonder plant hemp is gaining momentum again. Up until the 1820’s approximately 80% of all textiles were made from hemp. For centuries, every ship that sailed the ocean was equipped with sails and rigging made of hemp. Considering this it comes as no surprise that in fact the first blue jeans ever made were made from hemp denim. Cannabis Sativa is one of the most efficient agricultural crops. Due to its fast growth it is also called “The Billion Dollar Crop”. In contrast to cotton, hemp can be cultivated without the use of pesticides and needs much less water. Traditionally used in agriculture, as a pioneer plant to revitalize wasteland, hemp can be planted in almost every region on every soil.
But not only the plant itself is impressive, its textile fibres are convincing too. Scientific studies have shown that hemp fibers create a perfect microclimate on human skin. The filament is durable and extremely long lasting. Modern fiber finishing technology create a smoother texture to make the typical rough look of traditional hemp fabric no longer mandatory.
There seems to be no rational reason why our minds remain focused on cotton, a costly plant whose elaborate cultivation needs a multitude of pesticides and water, while we have discovered a compelling alternative.
ZERO WASTE/MINIMISE WASTE
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
LIFE EXTENSION