European hemp     European Slow Style

Why Hemp?

It is an European natural vegetable fibre on which was based the economic and political development in Europe (and elsewhere): it was used to make the ropes for moving the blocks of granite that formed the pyramids, the bridge that Alexander had built at Hellespont on his conquest of the Persian Empire, the bridge that allowed Caesar to conquer the west shore of the River Rhine, and more besides… up to the time of the Titanic and its impressive mooring ropes.

It is a noble, natural and environmentally friendly fibre that enriches the soil and can be put to countless eco-compatible uses (of zero impact).
The cultivation of hemp in Europe is an eco-sustainable business and ensures honest competition.

A fibre of European tradition

Cannabis Sativa is an annual plant in the Cannabaceae family cultivated mainly for the production of textiles.
Hemp is probably the first fibre used by man eight millennia ago.
It also accounted for 80% of all textiles manufactured in the early nineteenth century.
In Italy, hemp was an important crop most notably at Ferrara in Emilia Romagna, where around 30 thousand hectares – about a third of the entire land surface dedicated to hemp in Italy – were cultivated until the early twentieth century.
Italy was second only to Russia in the production of hemp, and first in the world for the quality and selection of the vegetable and genetic species.
Hemp was put to its most intensive use leading up to the Second World War, mainly for technical purposes (tents, covers and twines) and linen.

Re-launching textile hemp

Hemp is making a comeback and meets with great interest not only because of the beautiful fabrics that can be made with the fibre but also as it minimizes environmental pollution, ensures lower energy costs and protects biodiversity.

It is in keeping with current consumer and lifestyle trends: a preference for natural/eco-sustainable products (“bio-fashion”), comfort and quality. It guarantees a respect for the environment and the health of mankind.

Fashion reinvents itself by returning to tradition: hemp is a natural and esteemed fibre traditional to Italy and the rest of Europe.

Salient features

It has all the properties required by current trends: the fibre hemp is attractive and sustainable, it offers excellent technical performance, is versatile, soft to the touch and comfortable to wear. Its natural colour is warm and comes in many shades. Other features: 

- fresh (it has the highest transpiration capacity in nature)
- hygroscopic (12.5% humidity absorption, twice as quickly as flax)
- protects against electromagnetic pollution and filters 95% of infrared and ultra-violet rays
- bactericidal (due to the peptines contained in the fibre)
- safe (it does not combust and does not conduct electrical energy) 
- resists wear and tear (30% more than cotton)
- more elastic than flax (“natural stretch”)
- ecological (the plants can be cultivated without need for weed killer, fertilizer or pesticides and can enrich the composition of the soil)
- versatile (suited to all lifestyles and formal or informal occasions)
- trans-seasonal (being thermoregulatory… warm in winter, cool in summer)
- can be dyed (excellent colour absorption) and finished
- can be combined with all other types of natural, artificial or synthetic fibres.

Hemp yarns are strong, uneven and rustic, but also fine and uniform, perfect for all production methods and uses, weaving and knitting. They are used pure or blended, natural or dyed to create a whole range of textiles and articles of clothing, from clothes to accessories and linen to furnishings.
Hemp is a tough, resistant fibre and is broadly used in the production of textiles for the upper body and heavier ones for accessories, bags and shoes. Finishes and dyes can be added to create extremely interesting effects.
Excellent versatility makes it ideal for a whole range of applications in the world of fashion and design: colours and wefts that can be adapted to the body and environment for dressing in an elegant and natural manner, in fashionable clothes combining both comfort and quality.


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