Material

Definition

Usage

Sustainability Application

Alpaca Wool

A soft, hypoallergenic fiber sourced from alpacas, mainly in South America.

Used in outerwear, knitwear, scarves, and sustainable luxury fashion.

Alpacas have a lower environmental impact than other wool-producing animals, and their wool requires minimal processing.

Angora Wool

A soft, fine fiber obtained from Angora rabbits.

Used in high-end knitwear, scarves, and warm winter clothing.

Ethical concerns over animal welfare have led to increased demand for responsibly sourced or alternative fibers.

Bamboo Fiber

A soft, breathable textile derived from bamboo pulp.

Used in activewear, underwear, and sustainable basics.

Bamboo grows quickly with minimal water, but processing methods vary in sustainability.

Calfskin

A fine-grain leather made from the hides of young cattle, known for its softness and durability.

Used in luxury handbags, footwear, jackets, and high-end accessories.

While durable and long-lasting, traditional production has a high environmental impact; more sustainable practices include vegetable tanning and regenerative farming.

Cashmere

A soft, fine fiber obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats.

Used in high-end knitwear, scarves, coats, and luxury textiles.

Highly sought-after but associated with overgrazing and land degradation; sustainable alternatives include recycled cashmere and regenerative grazing practices.

Cork Leather

A lightweight, durable material made from the bark of cork oak trees.

Used in eco-conscious footwear, bags, and accessories.

Harvesting does not harm trees, making it a renewable and biodegradable material.

Cotton

A natural fiber harvested from the cotton plant, widely used in textiles.

Used in casual wear, denim, home textiles, and fashion basics.

Organic and regenerative cotton farming reduces water usage and pesticide reliance, while recycled cotton minimizes textile waste.

Hemp

A durable, fast-growing plant fiber used in textiles for thousands of years.

Used in casual wear, activewear, denim, and accessories.

Hemp enriches soil, requires minimal water, and is naturally pest-resistant, making it a leading sustainable fabric.

Leather

A durable material made from animal hides through tanning processes.

Used in shoes, bags, belts, and jackets.

Traditional leather has a high environmental footprint; sustainable alternatives include vegetable-tanned, recycled, and bioengineered leather.

Linen

A strong, breathable fabric made from flax fibers.

Used in summer wear, home textiles, and eco-conscious fashion.

Flax requires less water and pesticides than cotton, making linen a more sustainable alternative.

Merino Wool

A high-quality wool sourced from Merino sheep, valued for its fine, soft fibers.

Used in thermal wear, knitwear, activewear, and luxury fashion.

Naturally biodegradable, renewable, and moisture-wicking; sustainability is improved through ethical farming, regenerative grazing, and responsible wool certification.

Mohair

A silky fiber obtained from the Angora goat, known for its sheen and durability.

Used in luxury knitwear, suits, and upholstery.

Sustainability depends on ethical farming practices; certifications such as RMS (Responsible Mohair Standard) improve traceability.

Piñatex

A plant-based leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibers.

Used in vegan footwear, bags, and sustainable fashion accessories.

Provides an eco-friendly alternative to leather by repurposing agricultural waste.

Ramie

A natural fiber similar to linen, derived from the stalks of the Ramie plant.

Used in lightweight clothing, home textiles, and blended fabrics.

Highly durable, requires minimal pesticides, and can be grown without intensive farming.

Recycled Leather

Leather scraps and waste reprocessed into new materials.

Used in sustainable bags, shoes, and upholstery.

Diverts waste from landfills while reducing the demand for new leather production.

Recycled Wool

Wool fibers recovered from discarded garments or textile waste.

Used in sustainable knitwear, coats, and insulation materials.

Extends the lifecycle of wool, reducing waste and energy use compared to virgin wool.

Sea Island Cotton

A rare, luxurious variety of cotton known for its long fibers and softness.

Used in high-end shirts, knitwear, and luxury basics.

Sustainable when grown under ethical conditions, though its production is limited.

Seacell

A seaweed-based fiber blended with cellulose to create a bio-textile.

Used in sustainable activewear, undergarments, and wellness-focused textiles.

Provides skin-nourishing properties, is biodegradable, and requires fewer resources than traditional fibers.

Shearling

A sheepskin or lambskin with the wool still attached, known for its warmth and softness.

Used in coats, boots, gloves, and winter accessories.

Ethical concerns over sourcing lead to more focus on regenerative agriculture and recycled shearling.

Silk

A natural protein fiber produced by silkworms, known for its sheen and strength.

Used in luxury fashion, lingerie, evening wear, and accessories.

While biodegradable and long-lasting, traditional silk production raises ethical concerns; peace silk and lab-grown silk are emerging sustainable alternatives.

Suede

A soft, napped leather typically made from the underside of animal hides.

Used in footwear, jackets, bags, and gloves.

Similar to leather, its sustainability depends on responsible sourcing, water-efficient tanning, and ethical farming.

Vicuña Wool

One of the rarest and most luxurious fibers, sourced from the wild vicuña of the Andes.

Used in high-end outerwear and scarves.

Extremely soft and warm, but due to its rarity, ethical and sustainable sourcing is essential to prevent overexploitation.

Yak Wool

A warm, durable fiber harvested from yaks, mainly in the Himalayas and Mongolia.

Used in knitwear, outerwear, and sustainable performance textiles.

Naturally insulating and more sustainable than cashmere due to the lower environmental impact of yak herding.