Close×

Clothing designer and textile scientist Emily Cooper is urging brands to ditch the synthetics.

Cooper, of New Zealand label Silkbody, said new studies show fibres from synthetic clothing are the biggest plastic polluter of oceans and not plastic bags.

Every time garments made from synthetics are washed, the tiny plastic fibres are released into the environment.

With water treatment systems unable to filter them out, they end up in the sea, in the fish consumers eat and even in tap water.

"It's time consumers rediscovered the benefits of natural fibres," Cooper said.

"Silk is as robust as any 'technical' synthetic. It's even used in bullet-proof vests.

"Silk is as strong as steel, fast-drying, super-soft and odour-resistant as well as warm.

"Let's return to the original inspiration behind this failed experiment and do the earth and ourselves a favour."

She said her own silk clothing line is compostable, breaking down after just six months.

The brand, established in 2002, is sold internationally from the company’s base in Waikouaiti by father and daughter team David and Emily Cooper.

comments powered by Disqus