BY NICANOR GORDON

SO, LET’S TALK ABOUT HEMP.

The fibery, THC-free little brother (it’s actually really old) of marijuana has a lot going for it. But, what you probably didn’t know was just how important hemp has been for fashion, and how it will save it in the future.

You’re probably thinking, “Wait is fashion okay?” It is, but it’s not sustainable.

You see, there’s a phenomenon called “fast fashion.”

Have you or a loved one ever bought multiple fashion magazines in a year? Do you or someone you care about buy multiple looks for each season? This is fast fashion. And, it’s costly – heavy on the wallet and heavy on the environment.

Now, how do we pump the brakes on fashion? The answer is: Slow fashion. Slow fashion involves sustainable production, slower schedules, fairer wages, human rights and less waste.

Slow fashion was named from the slow food movement that began in Italy. The slow movement is not just about reducing harm, but also about lifestyle change and a transition away from larger chains, to more support for smaller, independent providers. In the slow movement it’s important to not just own or consume, but to enjoy fully and mindfully.

How does hemp fit in?

Well, hemp is nothing new… We are actually going back to hemp.
Ancient cultures have known of the textile benefit of hemp for millennia. Hemp has been found in materials dating back to early as 8,000 BC. Ancient Asian cultures such as China, India, and the Middle East, in particular, have been way ahead of the curve.

Hemp vs. Cotton

Let’s look at how hemp stacks up against cotton – one of the most popular materials.
Firstly, cotton is single-handedly (single-plantedly?) responsible for approximately 25% of the total pesticide use of the planet. Older pesticides can stay in the human body for decades. Studies have concluded that pesticides can harm the nervous system, leading to birth defects, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, leukemia and lymphoma. Frankly, you would be hard-pressed to find a disease not linked to pesticides.

Hemp, however, is naturally pest and insect resistant.

Stronger than your average plant

Hemp is tough stuff. Its fibers can be processed into building materials. Meanwhile, who knows of anyone ever building a house out of cotton or polyester.

So, what happens when you make clothes out of a plant that can create buildings? You get incredibly durable clothes, that won’t scruff, and that are also antibacterial.

Clothes made from hemp not only wick away sweat, but also won’t get moldy or fester bacteria.
And, before you start picturing the latest runway fashion made out of concrete blocks, you should know that hemp has another unique property. While it’s not as soft as cotton initially, it gets softer with every wash.

Most materials, on the other hand, get weaker – the threading comes loose or gets stiff.