Green textiles on a large podium Automatic translate

Textile production is one of the oldest branches of light industry. And the more actively modern technologies were integrated into the process, the higher the burden on nature became. And by the middle of the 20th century, it became so strong that nature was no longer able to compensate for this negative impact with its own resources. Factors affecting the environment include:

• occupation of vast areas for growing cotton, flax, sisal, etc.;
• the use of pesticides in the cultivation of plant fibers;
• excessive consumption of water and electricity during textile processing;
• use of toxic dyes;
• harmful emissions into air and water bodies;
• throwing out scraps of fabric and thread;
• overproduction and disposal of unclaimed items.

Today, the production of textiles and clothing in terms of harmful emissions is second only to oil refining, construction and food production. The planet’s population is growing, and as a result, the demand for even larger volumes of clothing production is increasing. An irresponsible attitude towards things and an oversaturation of wardrobes force production to increase speed, which naturally reduces the quality of things - they quickly become unusable, lose color, become deformed and end up in a landfill. According to statistics, over the past four decades, the production volumes of textile fibers have been growing rapidly - in 1975, almost 24 thousand tons of fibers were created worldwide, and last year this figure exceeded 108 thousand tons. Environmentalists around the world are sounding the alarm. The need for responsible environmental management is on a par with other universal human problems, since it affects the most valuable thing - human life and the possibility of continuing the human race in general. Today, the trend for reasonable consumption and environmentally friendly production of fabrics and clothing is being picked up by more and more brands and factories. This is a response to the challenge of the time and the wishes of a society that wants to receive textile products of both high quality and environmental friendliness. And this is not so simple, since both requirements require large expenditures on technological innovation.

“Ecological requirements for textiles begin with requirements for fibers, without which textiles cannot yet be produced. All natural fibers are more environmentally friendly than chemical artificial and synthetic ones, but their environmental friendliness is also not 100% and can be improved. In addition, recycling and the use of synthetic materials also correspond to the principles of environmental friendliness,” shares recycled textile designer Elena Denisova.

In Russia, Denisova made a real revolution when she brought her first collection of basic wardrobe made from modern and technological fabrics to the big catwalk. This was not just the debut collection of a novice designer, but his graduation work at the British Higher School of Design. After a brilliant defense of her diploma, the best graduate of the course was honored to present her collection on the big podium at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. It all started with this show. Elena Denisova created a sensation and set the vector for the development of fashion of the future.

In the concept of her designer brand Helen Stracta, she incorporated the principle of environmentally friendly materials and a combination of different textures. Using the examples of the models she created, Elena clearly shows that many fabrics can be recycled, and innovations make it possible to create complex non-standard materials using natural fibers. High-tech fabrics are durable and practical to wear for up to 10 years.

Elena Denisova: “I concentrated on basic things that, due to timeless silhouettes and technological fabrics, will be worn for a long time, maintaining their shape and color. We produce all items in small quantities, and some of them are created exclusively to order.”

To remain confident in the quality and environmental friendliness of the materials used, Elena Denisova cooperates only with trusted factories. Moreover, as an expert on recycled textiles and technological fabrics, she, at the invitation of factory managers in Russia, Japan, Switzerland and China, gave lectures on the characteristics of different materials, modern capabilities and innovations, restructuring of production cycles, etc. The designer gave her first educational lecture just two months after the presentation of her debut collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia 2016 - at a Moscow factory. Then the textile production management invited the designer two more times in 2017. That same year, she was invited to give a lecture at the A-Girl’s CO. factory. LTD" in Japan. A year later, an online lecture was held for the Swiss textile manufacturer Ideas Glarotex AG, and in 2019 – for the Chinese factory Hangzhou Hang Yang CO. LTD." All these factories were already ready to switch to new technologies for making fabrics and sewing clothes, Elena Denisova acted as a catalyst for these changes, her knowledge helped the textile departments rebuild production processes and produce clothes in the concept of sustainable development and maximum environmental friendliness.

Author: Ekaterina Kolchanova
July 17, 2021