The sustainability movement has meant a sea change for raw material sourcing in the apparel industry. When making decisions on which fabrics to use in their lines, brands now have to put the environmental origin and impact of the ingredients that comprise their clothes top of mind. This begins with how the fiber is grown, harvested and extracted, as well as the textile processing and the end-use stage for that garment, and how the materials play into that. A key is using natural fibers that support farmers, enable a more traceable supply chain and help create transparency. It’s about collaborating with the right partners in the supply chain so that the fibers stay in a sustainable environment.

It’s nice to tell a sustainability story, but the aesthetic of the product is really important, as well. Products should be created to be desirable and have a long life. The same is true with building functionality and durability in products by making the correct material choices.

Lenzing’s Tencel with Refibra technology line introduced a couple of years ago—which uses cotton scraps blended with Tencel lyocell to create regenerated fiber produced in a close loop process—has been adopted by about a dozen brands and retailers.