Fibre Briefing: Cotton

Cotton’s heritage as a textile dates from at least 5,000 BC, with evidence of human use found as far afield as Mexico, Pakistan and Peru. Still widely traded as a global commo...

Masterclass: Sourcing Sustainable Cotton

Each Masterclass in our series takes a deep dive into a pressing sustainability topic, providing an overview of the solutions on offer as well as talking to business leaders to fin...

Fabric Switch: Sourcing Sustainable Cotton

A guide for professionals looking to source cotton with a lower environmental and social impact....

Cotton and Sustainable Cotton: Key World Commodity

Despite being eclipsed by synthetics, when it comes to fashion cotton is still a key world crop. Global initiatives championing more sustainable cotton produce 30 percent of the wo...

Insider Series: Triaz, Producing Organic Silk In China

Textile Exchange interviews Martina Becker Supply Chain Manager for the Triaz Group....

Fibre Briefing: Peace Silk

The rise in concern for the welfare of animals used in fashion has paved the way for more sustainable silk. We take a closer look at peace silk, exploring the different types of pe...

Fibre Briefing: Silk

Lustrous, luxurious, renowned for fluidity, silk comes from the cocoons of silkworms. It can be woven or knitted and is prized as a luxury fabric. Its wicking ability – holdin...

Fabric Switch: Sourcing Sustainable Silk

A guide for professionals looking to source more sustainable silk and alternative vegan fibres. ...

Silk and Sustainable Silk

Silk is a luxury commodity, produced mostly in a few countries but predominantly in China. ‘Preferred silks’ are: organically produced silk, ‘peace silk’ (more humanely pro...

Fibre Briefing: Cashmere

Once coveted for its rare, super-soft purity, cashmere is now outgrowing the luxury niche due to its rising use in casual, affordable garments – particularly in athleisur...

Fibre Briefing: Wool

With a heritage stretching back to 10,000 BC, wool is a fibre that has withstood the tests of time and fashion. Naturally hard-wearing and long-lasting, wool comes from sheep fa...

Global Wool Production and Sustainable Standards

Although wool is produced in vast quantities, the amount used in apparel is small (1%) and decreasing. Sustainable wool sources are organically produced or abide by strict animal w...

Fabric Switch: Sourcing Sustainable Wool

Your guide to sustainable alternatives to wool - including which certifications to look out for, recycled wool, and vegan wool alternatives. Cover: Manteco Recycled Wool...

Fibre Briefing: Leather

Probably the most ancient fabric used by humans, leather is a multi-billion dollar global industry. Demand for leather goods is growing – but so is criticism of its sever...

Fabric Switch: The Leather Guide

This practical guide gives you an overview of the issues surrounding leather and points you in the direction of more sustainable alternatives. ...

How Companies Are Tackling Slavery in Leather Supply Chains

The UK's Modern Slavery Act and other legislation around modern slavery make understanding the risks of slavery in your supply chains a business critical issue as well as a human r...

Smart Materials Provide A Leather Trim Alternative

Okinawa describe themselves as ‘Material Masters’ – and it’s a fitting title. Their Smart Materials combine innovation, creativity an...

Leather and Sustainable Leather: Size of Production

Global trade in raw leather is buoyant and is set to grow by 4 percent a year. Developing countries supply more than half the world’s raw leather. Whie environmental audits asses...

Fibre Briefing: Down

With quilted and padded outerwear now a firm fashion trend, there is a definite demand for down in apparel. Yet collecting the feathers raises animal welfare concerns that ...

Insider Series: Why Allied Feather & Down Chose Certification

Textile Exchange interviews Matthew Betcher, Creative Director, Allied Feather & Down....