By: Jessica Bucci
(http://www.ecouterre.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/plastex-reform-studio-2-537x402.jpg)
Do you have a wad of plastic grocery bags hanging out in your kitchen somewhere? We know we do- it seems wasteful to just throw them out, but we seem to bring home way too many to reuse. The designers at Cairo-based Reform Studio took notice of all this waste and came up with an innovative solution: turn the bags into fabric!
According to Reform, the average use of a plastic bag is a mere 12 minutes. It’s ironic that an object we use for such a short time is made from a material that takes an eternity to biodegrade.
So, rather than using typical fibers found in textiles such as cotton, the Reform team created a durable, eco-friendly fabric using recycled plastic bags as the raw material.
The resulting textile is aptly named Plastex.
(http://morewithlessdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plastex_t1_reform.jpg)
While fashion and fabric industries have become more saturated with sustainable materials in recent years, this particular fabric is a standout in many ways.
When we as designers consider recycled material, there can be some hesitation- will quality or aesthetic be compromised in using something not brand-new? Not necessarily. Plastex is highly durable, and washable as well. Additionally, plastic bags come in a wide variety of colors, which means Plastex does too.
The designers at Reform have put together a vibrant, contemporary palette for their fabrics. These textiles also come in a variety of woven patterns- including a faux “zebra” look.
(http://cdn.startupfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/plastex_z2_Reform.jpg)
In addition to the unique recycled “fiber,” Plastex fabric is woven using a traditional Egyptian handloom. This production method is both eco-friendly and an awesome way to bring a contemporary, relevant touch to an aging textile technique.
“Slow” techniques such as hand weaving make fabrics that much more special, as each piece is guaranteed to be unique.
Article Source: http://startupfashion.com/ (http://startupfashion.com/)
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