20 Natural Fibers for Artists and Creatives: A Complete Guide
Artribune has published a comprehensive guide to 20 natural fibers for artists, designers, and stylists, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. The guide covers fibers extracted from citrus waste (Orange Fiber, Catania, Italy), algae (Seacell by Smartfiber), banana plants (Bananatex by QWSTION and a Taiwanese yarn specialist), cactus (Desserto by Adriano Di Marti, Mexico), coffee grounds (S.Café by Singtex, Taiwan), coconut waste (Nullarbor by Nanollose, Australia), spider silk DNA (Microsilk by Bolt Threads), recycled ocean plastic (BIONIC by BIONIC, New York), mushroom mycelium (MycoTEX by Neffa), crab shells (Omikenshi, Japan), milk proteins (Qmilk), corn sugars (Ingeo by NatureWorks), apple waste (Frumat, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy), spray-on fabric (Spray-on by Fabrican Ltd.), wine waste (Vegea, Italy), pineapple leaves (Piñatex by Ananas Anam, UK), regenerated nylon (ECONYL by Aquafil, Italy), and fermented sugars (Brewed Protein by Spiber, Japan). The guide highlights each fiber's environmental benefits, such as biodegradability, reduced water and energy use, and absence of toxic chemicals. It also notes collaborations with brands like Timberland, Chanel, Asics, New Balance, and American Eagle. The article is by Margherita Cuccia, curator of TAILOR newsletter and Artribune Moda magazine.
Key facts
- Orange Fiber produces sustainable fiber from citrus waste in Catania, Italy.
- Seacell is a biodegradable fiber from algae with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Bananatex is made from Abaca banana plant fibers, developed by QWSTION and a Taiwanese specialist.
- Desserto is a vegan leather from cactus, presented at Linea Pelle 2019.
- S.Café recycles coffee grounds into fabric with odor control and UV protection.
- Nullarbor fiber is made from coconut industry waste using microbial cellulose.
- Microsilk is a spider silk-inspired protein fiber produced via bioengineering by Bolt Threads.
- BIONIC yarns are recycled from ocean plastic pollution, used by Timberland and Chanel.
- MycoTEX is a mushroom mycelium fabric that biodegrades in 1-2 years.
- Omikenshi produces fiber from crab shell chitin, tested on children with atopic dermatitis.
- Qmilk fiber is made from milk proteins, hypoallergenic and thermoadhesive.
- Ingeo fiber is made from corn sugars, requiring half the energy of polyester.
- Frumat turns apple waste into leather-like material in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy.
- Fabrican's Spray-on fabric can be sprayed directly onto the body.
- Vegea recycles wine waste into leather-like material, despite legal challenges from UNIC.
- Piñatex is made from pineapple leaf fibers, chosen by over 1000 brands.
- ECONYL is regenerated nylon from landfill and ocean waste, infinitely recyclable.
- Brewed Protein by Spiber is produced via fermentation, with a plant in Thailand starting operations in 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Margherita Cuccia
Institutions
- Artribune
- Orange Fiber
- Smartfiber
- QWSTION
- Adriano Di Marti
- Singtex
- Nanollose
- Bolt Threads
- BIONIC
- Neffa
- Omikenshi
- Qmilk
- NatureWorks
- Frumat
- Fabrican Ltd.
- Vegea
- Ananas Anam
- Aquafil
- Spiber
- Timberland
- Chanel
- Asics
- New Balance
- American Eagle
- UNIC
Locations
- Catania
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Mexico
- Australia
- New York
- Japan
- Trentino Alto Adige
- UK
- Thailand