The revival of textile hemp: from the field to ethical clothing
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Reading time 4 min
CONTENTS
No, hemp isn't just used to make CBD ! This magical plant was used to clothe humanity for a long time before being forgotten. Today, it is making a triumphant comeback in ethical fashion. And I'm going to explain why this (re)birth makes perfect sense.
Things to remember
- Hemp has a thousand-year history in textiles, before being replaced by cotton and synthetic fibers.
- Today, it is making a comeback as an eco-friendly and sustainable material, perfect for more responsible fashion.
- Its local, low-pollution cultivation appeals to socially conscious designers around the world.
From ancestral clothing to industrial oblivion
Before being associated with CBD or relaxation, hemp was primarilyan essential raw material. For centuries, hemp and its uses have served humanity. It was used to make strong, durable ropes, sails, canvas, and clothing. In Europe, it was part of everyday life. It was cultivated across the continent, from southern Ireland the Danube Valley.
Hemp fibers were valued for their exceptional strength and durability.
Sailors loved it for making their sails and ropes, which could withstand winds and storms. And for farmers, it was a miracle plant that grew quickly, without requiring too much water or chemicals.
Decline in the face of cotton and synthetic fibers
But in the 19th century, everything changed. Cotton, imported from the colonies, which was softer and easier to machine process, gradually replaced hemp. And with the rise of petrochemicals, synthetic fibers invaded our closets: polyester, nylon, elastane... In short, cheaper materials, but disastrous for the planet.
Hemp then fell into oblivion. It was also the victim of a double prejudice, being considered too rustic for modern fashion and too closely related to cannabis for the faint-hearted. Yet this plant, so virtuous, was rejected for the wrong reasons.
The big comeback of hemp in sustainable fashion
Modern textile hemp is no longer the stiff fabric of yesteryear. Spinning techniques have been modernized, making the fiber softer, more breathable, and more comfortable to wear.
It can be used to make jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, dresses... in short, everything we like to wear every day, but in an ethical version.
Why is hemp appealing to ethical fashion?
Above all, this fiber has everything going for it:
- It is environmentally friendly: hemp grows without chemical fertilizers or pesticides and requires four times less water than cotton.
- It is local: it can be grown in Ireland, Portugal, Italy, or Germany, without having to import it from the other side of the world.
- It is biodegradable: when your garment reaches the end of its life, it simply returns to the earth.
Hemp is therefore a material that is both ancient and forward-looking. And designers are well aware of this. Many ethical brands are putting this fiber back at the heart of their collections.
Committed brands that lead by example
Labels such as Patagonia, Knowledge Cotton Apparel, Hempage, and French brands such as 1083 and La Gentle Factory already use hemp for its ecological and aesthetic qualities.
But it's not just a question of fashion. It's also a textile revolution. Because choosing hemp means rejecting overconsumption, pollution, and precarious working conditions. Ultimately, it means choosing clothing that has meaning, substance, and respect.
A green fiber at the heart of a sustainable future
An exemplary culture for the planet
Today, hemp is establishing itself as a pillar of sustainable agriculture. Its cultivation regenerates soil, limits erosion, and even helps to decontaminate certain types of land.
What's more, it is incredibly versatile: the seeds are used for food, the stems for textiles or paper, and the flowers are used to produce CBD. Nothing is wasted, everything is transformed. It is one of the few crops where 100% of the material can be used.
In fashion, this efficiency is inspiring new practices. Brands are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and relocate their production. Hemp allows them to do just that because it grows quickly and close to home, and requires almost nothing to grow.
When innovation and tradition meet
New textile technologies have also contributed to its comeback. Thanks to finer spinning processes and blends with organic cotton or linen, fabrics are now soft, supple, and elegant. Gone is the rough hemp of our grandparents' era!
And the added bonus? It regulates temperature: it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.
A local and socially responsible industry
But this revival isn't just about technology. It's also philosophical. By choosing hemp, the fashion industry is embracing a short supply chain, ethics, and transparency. Consumers, for their part, are rediscovering a fiber that combines well-being, style, and responsibility.
This comeback of hemp is a bit like coming home. We are rediscovering a material that has always been right in front of us, but which we had forgotten in our quest for novelty.
Article written by Benjamin Poirel-Nadal
Passionate about natural well-being and plants with multiple virtues, I've been exploring the benefits of CBD and its various forms for several years.
My aim? To share with you clear information, honest opinions and practical advice to help you integrate CBD into your daily life with confidence and serenity.
