This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Italtex Trends - Italian expertise in fabric and colour fashion trends.
Cart

Exploring Sustainable Textiles: Innovative Fibres and Projects at Intertextile Talks

Posted on
Exploring Sustainable Textiles: Innovative Fibres and Projects at Intertextile Talks

At Italtex, we are well aware of the impact the textile and fashion industry has on the planet. As a trend studio, we believe our role is not only to present the fabrics shaping each season, but also to highlight the innovations that can guide the industry towards a more sustainable future.

This is why, alongside the market’s most requested fabrics, our trend books dedicate space to sustainable materials. From fibres and dyeing techniques to finishing and upcycling, we seek out projects that combine creativity, performance, and responsibility.

Here are some of the recent innovations we have been exploring and including in our books.

 

HimGra: A Fibre from Himalayan Grass

 

One of the most exciting discoveries is HimGra, a natural fibre derived from wild perennial grasses of the Himalayan region.

Eco-friendly and sustainable, HimGra is emerging as an alternative to linen, hemp, bamboo and cotton. Its strength, elasticity, and smooth texture make it highly versatile for durable fabrics. Thanks to its hollow fibre structure, it also absorbs moisture naturally.

Environmentally, HimGra thrives on natural rainfall, resists pests, and helps prevent soil erosion. Because it grows in limited areas and requires respect for natural rhythms, it is best suited to luxury textiles, where both sustainability and craftsmanship are valued.

The fibre can be spun into yarn for weaving, knitting or blending with other fibres. Applications range from sustainable fashion to home textiles.

Besides, its economic impact provides livelihoods to Himalayan communities, promoting rural development, and encourages the preservation of traditional skills and crafts.

We have already included HimGra swatches in our trend books and are collaborating on special projects to support the next generation of sustainable designers.

 

Doolsi® Silk: Sustainability Meets Luxury

 

Another breakthrough is Doolsi® silk, a true innovation in silk production.

Its pioneering MMT technology, guided by the brand philosophy of "Nature and Simplicity" is revolutionising the mulberry silk industry.

Unlike traditional methods that boil cocoons to kill pupae for "perfect" threads, this technology gently separates cocoons from live pupae, letting them complete their natural life cycle—hatching, maturing, and reproducing. No lives are sacrificed, just pure silk crafted with respect for nature.

Besides, Doolsi silk production doesn't involve reeling and degumming — processes that often pollute the environment. The resulting silk retains its original structure with spherical sericin proteins, which can be released to the skin, healing it.

This pioneering process reduces environmental impact while meeting today’s demand for ethical and sustainable luxury fabrics. We’ve included Doolsi® in our trend books as it perfectly aligns with current trends for smooth, sustainable textiles.

 

Alpago Wool Project

 

Closer to home, in Italy, we highlight the Alpago Wool Project, which revives wool from the indigenous Alpagota sheep in the Belluno province. Once at risk of extinction, these sheep now provide high-quality yarn in beautiful natural shades, eliminating the need for dyeing.

This zero-kilometre supply chain project also reflects a broader movement of using undyed wools, an increasingly popular sustainable practice.

 

A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

From Himalayan grasses to Italian wool and ethical silk, these projects show how innovation and sustainability can reshape textiles.

By including these fibres in our trend books, we aim to support designers, brands, and students who are ready to embrace a more responsible industry. Sustainability is not just a direction: it is becoming an essential part of textile creativity and innovation, and we support specific projects.

Find more in our trend books for men's or women's wear

← Older Post

0 comments

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published