A UK clothing designer is branching out by creating an entire range of eco-underwear made from wood. Fibres are extracted from the tree branches before being spun into a fabric which is then used to make the eco-underwear.
The makers claim the fabric has dozens more microscopic holes than polyester, meaning more air can circulate making them more hygienic. And their natural fibres also absorb twice as much humidity as cotton which prevents bacteria from growing.
Eco-friendly and non-toxic dyes are used to colour the items in a wide range of shades. All the underwear is packaged in left-over fabric and recycled clothing.
The production process starts with large branches being selected from white pine trees in North America and Canada during normal harvesting. The wood is then shipped to Montilliers in France where scientists break it down with the use of enzymes to turn it into a doughy consistency. Fibres are then extracted from the dough and wound into enormous 408kg bales before being spun to make the fabric called Lenpur.
Designers have said the process is similar to the traditional art of spinning cotton. A small amount of lycra is added in to make the underwear feel more comfortable and to help maintain their shape. The range is called 9.8 which is the scientific figure for the earth¡¯s acceleration due to gravity.
The makers say the wood fibre offers the comfort of silk, the touch of cashmere and the lightness of linen.
