PPB August 2019

Up-And-Coming Materials And of course, there are those alternative fabrics that are so sought after, they have become mainstream in both retail and in promotional products. Here’s a few examples: What They’re Wearing Hemp Perhaps made ever-more popular by the decriminalization of marijuana in several U.S. states, hemp is one of themost abundant and practical alternative clothingmaterials. Hemp fabrics aremade fromcannabis sativa fiber or industrial hemp, and hemp plants are incredibly fast-growing with a high return. According to Interesting Engineering, hemp plants produce 250 percent more fiber than cotton, within the same amount of land space. Hemp also carries antibacterial properties, and is known to fight the growth and spread of bacteria. Organic Cotton Yes, one of the greatest alternatives to cotton is—cotton—but with an organic twist. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides or genetically-modified organisms, making it more eco-friendly than traditional cotton. Organic cotton also produces nearly half as much carbon dioxide as traditional cotton and requires less water to grow. And hey, it’s cotton, so we know it’s super soft to the touch. Peace Silk Also known as ahimsa silk, peace silk is an option that’s considered vegan, as it is made using the cocoon of a silkworm after the fully- grown moth has discarded it. The origin of peace silk is rooted in non-violence to other forms of life, and, as such, no worms or moths are harmed in the process. The material is 100 percent eco- friendly, and peace silk is harvested naturally, rather than farmed. A new spin on the heathered, mesh golf tee, the Greg Norman Play Dry Heather Solid Polo combines superfine microfiber yarn with spandex for added stretch and comfort. The shirt is made using a combination of 90 percent polyester and 10 percent spandex, with Play Dry moisture management—which transports moisture to the outer layer of the garment to evaporate—UPF 50+, back yoke and a shark embroidered on the wearer’s left hem. Available in men’s and women’s S-3XL in Atlantic blue heather, black heather, blue mist heather and navy heather (shown). Vantage Apparel / PPAI 113235 / www.vantageapparel.com 16 | AUGUST 2019 | INNOVATE A l t e rna t i ve Fabr i cs