Why Natural Fabrics Matter?

We’re all aware of natural foods and importance of non-toxicity in food pigments and packaging, but probably don’t pay half as much attention to organic fibers or fabrics. We don’t eat fabrics, so who cares right? Well, it’s high time we did. Apparel we and our kids wear are in constant touch with out bodies and the first step is awareness about how many chemicals we’re moving around in. Then onwards we can address the problem and try fix it.

Toxicity in fabrics often goes unnoticed behind colorful designs and fast fashion designs that we try to keep up with. Plus the apparel industry is not as regulated by FDA rules as the food industry and gets away with much in the name of fashion trends. Manmade fibers have been tested and linked to multitude of health and skin problems, most significant of which are skin rashes, allergies, respiratory problems and itches. Synthetic fibers even absorb body sweat in a different way as compared to natural fibers and fabrics. Cotton, hemp, jute, wool, linen, cashmere and silk are the most commonly used natural fibers.

Over the past half century, natural fibers have been displaced in our clothing, household furnishings, industries and agriculture by man-made fibers with names like acrylic, nylon, polyester, chiffon and polypropylene. Their success can be attributed in a big way to low cost and ease of wear. Unlike natural fibers harvested by farmers, commonly used synthetic fibers are mass produced from petrochemicals to uniform strengths, lengths and colors, easily customized to specific applications. Plus clothing made from synthetic fibers do not require special care while washing or ironing before wearing them, making them an easy choice in today’s fast paced world. But fast, cheap and easy is not always a good option. Whether it’s fast food or fast fashion, it’s harmful to us and our kids always undercuts the benefits. Natural fabrics provide a natural pattern of ventilation for skin hence for multitude of reasons will always be a better choice.

In addition to being healthier, natural fibers also ace in protecting the planet with sustainability and biodegradable fabric compositions which are recyclable. Small farmers and small-scale processors focussed work ethos ensures, that natural fibers are of major economic importance to many countries and vital to the livelihoods and food security of millions globally. In terms of fashion, planet and it’s people are fairly new to the entire context of eco-fashion, starting from ethics of how fibers are made, to who made them and whether they were made ethically and fairly and leading towards a change in fashion styles which are more aligned to a worldwide view of ethical sustainable fashion sensibilities. We hope to be the catalysts for this change in fashion and hope you will join us in our journey.

If you agree with this viewpoint, kindly take a few moments and let us know via comments in section below. If you feel a little deeper and would like to join our movement towards creating a change in fashion industry towards ethical, sustainable fashions, please write to us at: hello@sivalya.com and we would love to discuss further. Always remember, immortal words from Gandhi a few decades ago – ‘Be the change you want to see in this world’

Thanks for your time,
Team Sivalya.

“Free your food from toxic ingredients and your clothes from toxic chemicals”