In 2024, 70% of fabrics used in the fashion industry were made of synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers are made from plastic ~ which will NEVER disappear from our planet.

For each load of laundry, an estimated 700,000 microplastic fibers enter the water supply. And, after 20 to 200 years, synthetic garments completely break down into microplastics. The fashion industry is responsible for 200,000 to 500,000 TONS of microplastics entering the ocean every year.

As if this weren’t enough, due to the use of toxic dyes and chemicals to produce and color synthetic fibers, the fashion industry has become the 2nd biggest polluter of the water supply in the world.

This project is an effort to bring awareness to the clothing that we buy&wear, reducing our environmental impact, and creating a path for guilt-free and sustainable fashion. By using plant dyes and natural fibers, our products can be composted. That’s right, their natural dyes&fibers will actually nourish the earth as they break down.

The word “biodegradable” is very misleading. Many biodegradable products still contain synthetic fibers (which are plastic!) that simply break down faster than their non-biodegradable counterparts. Not to mention, their production can still involve strong, toxic chemicals (like rayon). Behind their “friendly” label, these garments continue fueling the microplastic crisis, poisoning our cute little planet.

I wanted to create an alternative ~ “compostable” garments that only contain natural fibers & natural dyes to nourish the earth at every stage of production & disintegration.

One of the things that helps a lot is to be a smart consumer. But, unfortunately for us, the Big Business Boys are always one step ahead of us, twisting their words to confuse and mislead us. What is ‘natural’? What is ‘biodegradable’?

I’m hoping to eliminate the added weight of sifting through piles and piles of business bulls**t with the clothing and products I make. Buying from the imprint collective contains a pinky-promise to source materials and use processes that always put our health & our planet first. And hopefully, one day, the imprint collective will develop into a large network of artists who are committed to this same vision.

Synthetic fibers are produced mainly to enhance efficiency. Replacing traditional time-consuming artisanal ritual with streamlined, careless fabrication processes.

Read more about some of the most common synthetic fibers you’ll find in your closet:

Polyester - The most prevalent synthetic fiber in the world made from petroleum chemicals (like plastic bottles), which take over 500 years to break down. ‘Break down’, meaning to disintegrate into the world-famous microplastics 🎉

Nylon - The second largest synthetic fiber in the market, made from petroleum (a non-renewable resource), that takes around 30 to 40 years (or longer in a landfill setting) to break down. Additionally, production releases nitrous oxide (a strong greenhouse gas).

Rayon(semi-synthetic) - Known for it’s light weight&feel, Rayon is made from a wood pulp treated with strong chemicals including carbon disulfide, which is toxic to workers and to the environment. On a positive note, this is a biodegradable fabric, taking between a few weeks to a few months to disappear. I suppose you could call this the lesser of two evils?

Acrylic - A plastic made from acrylonitrile that release harmful gases when made. Another accomplice to the microplastic crisis, taking around 200 years to break down.

Spandex (Lycra, Elastane) - A plasticmade from polyurethane, and processed with diisocyanates, which can irritate the lungs and skin. Takes around 100–300 years to break down into microplastics.

Olefin (Polypropylene or Polyethylene) - Synthesized from oil or gas, releasing VOCs (think paint thinners, nail polish remover, etc. — harmful gases that evaporate at room temperature) during production. Takes over 500 years to break down into microplastics.

Acetate - Another fiber made of chemically-treated wood pulp, involving the use of solvents that can pollute water and air if not handled properly. Takes around 10–20 years to biodegrade.

Wow, what a world of incredible “progress” … really the shining example of human intelligence 🤔