We’ve heard a lot about sustainability, but we seldom think they are “good enough” to be associated with more premium fabric as if there could be a compromise on quality when a clothing is produced in an eco-friendly way. But this is no longer the case. In recent years, organizations like Redress, Textile Exchange, Sustainable Fashion Academy, Sustainable Angle, Green is the New Black and Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD) have demonstrated that sustainable fashion can be glamourous, too. For example, RCGD has delivered its noteworthy Oscars red carpet design initiative with the Annual Academy Awards® for over a decade and has dressed many Hollywood celebrities and talents in sustainable formal wear. These all show that green fashion is gaining more attention and respect across the fashion industry.

Kit Willow, founder and designer of the Australian sustainable fashion label KITX, is a keen supporter for sustainable fibers and holds a wealth of knowledge on how we can combine our love of fashion with our love of the planet. One of the materials she loves working with is from TENCEL™, cellulosic fibers made from sustainably sourced wood sources. She names the KITX Global Nomad Trench as her current favourite certified piece made from TENCEL™ branded fibers and says the best part about working with TENCEL™ is that the fibers “wears well, it’s durable, it’s soft and you can wash it and wash it and it just gets better and better.”

KITX Global Nomad Trench

Mara Hoffman is another brand which often features TENCEL™ branded fibers in their products. Well-recognized for her sustainable initiatives, New York-based designer Mara Hoffman loves to use TENCEL™ fibers as she comments “working with TENCEL™ fibers is inspiring as it opens up our options and enables us to expand our narrative through our textures and qualities.” Her brand’s recent collection introduces a few beautifully crafted dresses fully made of TENCEL™ fibers.

Now, let us find out what is special about TENCEL™ and why designers love it.

To start with, there are two types of cellulosic fibers under TENCEL™ branded fibers – TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers and TENCEL™ Modal fibers. Founded in the collections of many leading designers and renowned retailers, TENCEL™ branded Lyocell and Modal fibers are produced by environmentally responsible processes from the sustainably sourced natural raw material wood, defining a new standard of sustainability and natural comfort. With the use of these botanic fibers, fabrics can be transformed to ensure their suitability to everyday consumer needs, offering great versatility to designers in their designs. These fibers can also be combined with textile fibers in order to enhance aesthetics, softness, and functionality, making them the ideal option for fabric across different styles. In fact, some of your favorite fashion brands might already have been using TENCEL™ branded fibers.

While TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers known for many features such as their natural comfort and their great strength, fantastic breathability, efficient moisture absorption and gentleness to skin, clothing containing TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers also has a flattering drape that moves with your body as well as a sleek and luxurious-looking sheen that keeps colors vibrant, which is perfect for all of us who want our clothes to look brand new every day.

Meanwhile, TENCEL™ Modal fibers are exquisitely soft and pleasant to the skin. Exhibiting high flexibility, TENCEL™ Modal fibers enhance textiles with long-lasting softness and offer endless design possibilities. As color pigments are embedded into TENCEL™ Modal fibers, the fibers can retain color vibrancy more than conventionally dyed fibers and are less prone to fade even after repeated washing.

These features all make TENCEL™ branded fibers a perfect choice for forward-looking fashion designers who want to make a positive impact on our environment despite their passion for fashion.

This secret ingredient for high-quality fabrics, TENCEL™ branded fibers, is nothing but a game changer to designer fashion.

Mara Hoffman Daija Dress