**What Is Real Luxury?**
Its‘s collaborative with the genius of nature.

CLEAN FASHION: NATURAL FIBER AND OUR WELLBEING…..

In last blog I have addressed synthetics and its footprint o our bodies and globe…. It’s a grim picture that people are not aware of and choose to ignore it. Today I want to show you a solution to our plastic madness. Solution that we always had and used to use it. Simple solution that, we just swept it under the rug of fast fashion and social media selfie’s race…

The solution is: natural fiber. There are four basic sustainable groups; Plant base: cotton and linen and animal Base: silks and wools. Natural fibers are biodegradable, healthy for our skin and planet, easily harvested for thousands of years. Textiles that vary from casual to luxuries with vastly developed weaves and patterns. If you think about it there is no reason to use synthetics what so ever…. Natural fibers are as comfortable, if not more than polyesters. The only main difference is a price, but that does not apply to cotton that since industrial revolution has been harvested on massive scale. We have made it abundant by adjusting it genetically. One thing we don’t hear much, its how GMO cotton is poisoning farmers. India has already stopped America’s GMO cotton and its going back to old fashion organic farming… Organic cotton is more expensive but there is no price on ethical faming, don’t you think?

We love cotton. American staple such as jeans and tee-shirts had spread globally and rule uncontested. However I want to bring your attention far superior natural source of fashion fiber and that starts with silk.

SILK

My love affair with silk begin back in my childhood, but I could only dream of silk garments such as blouses or fab pajamas, or as farfetched and frankly unimaginable application like linings for my suits. It is the most luxurious and expensive fiber out there. Silk has been enchanting us for thousands of years, representing status and wealth. In recent years Chinese production has improved and increased its volume which made silks more affordable. It is still the finest fiber known to humankind to date. “Oozing elegance, glamour and sophistication, nothing quite compares to silk – but its properties actually extend far beyond its looks.”*3

Aiko – The Kimono Inspired Robe with Wide leg pull up pant. https://justynasmartcustomsilk.com/

Magic of silk reaches further that just fashion of art. Silk is used in medical industry and its entering the world of beauty following footsteps of Asian cosmetics. Silk has been known not only for its luster and buttery hand feel, it has been an ancient secret to Chinese beauty. Woman utilize it’s anti-aging properties covering entire body with it. They use silk pillows to prevent from wrinkles and to feed their hair and avert breakage.

Silk it’s a natural protein fiber created by various insects, but the most luster one comes from Mulberry trees warm cocoons. Cocoons are harvested and spanned in to thread that is strong and shiny. On industrial level warms are perished in the production process, however there are cruelty free, organic options where cocoons are picked after butterfly emerging. I find it poetic the process of metamorphosis of the butterfly larvae undergoing. Silk originated in China and has been found in various archeological excavations going as far as Neolithic era,” which dates back about 8,500 years.” *2

Silk has been one of most valuable and saunth-after luxury commodities that created a global trade raising China economic growth to a vast empire. Silk production was well guarded but eventually silk production has spread throughout Asian continent, and its vastly produced in India, Korea, Japan and other Asian countries where each nation developed its signature weave and texture.

Silk natural properties are as much mind blowing as its luxurious applications in fashion, art and home décor.

Properties:

Silk in particular proves to be a super fiber. It’s protein built has been proven to be hypoallergenic, antibacterial, antimicrobial and hydrophobic.

1. It helps to prevent allergies:

Believe it or not, silk is actually hypoallergenic. The sericin residue in silk is a natural repellent that keeps away dust mites, mold, bacteria and other common allergens. For this reason, not many people are allergic to silk, which makes it very wearable for just about everyone.

2. It slows down the ageing process:

As we get older, we’re tempted to try just about anything and everything that promises to reverse the signs of ageing. However, investing in expensive ‘miracle creams’ may not be quite as effective as investing in a good quality silk pillowcase. Crazy right? Unlike cotton it does not draw moisture but keeps our skin hydrated with feeling of feeling of dry barrier due to its hydrophobic properties.

There has been a wealth of research into the cosmetic applications of silk, showing that sleeping on a silk pillowcase can actually prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. The natural cellular albumen found in silk helps to speed up the metabolism of skin cells, ensuring that they’re turning over and replenishing at a faster rate which in turn leads to healthier, plumper skin.

3. Helps fight the symptoms of menopause

It seems that silk doesn’t just hold benefits to complexion during the ageing process, but it can actually help to reduce one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause like insufferable hot flushes. As women age, the natural fluctuation of hormones combined with a lower heat threshold can often cause sudden warmth in the body, but silk can help to counteract this.

Silk is a lightweight and breathable material that is a natural heat regulator, meaning that wearing silk during the day or sleeping in silk pajamas, using silk bedding is not only comfortable but cooler, too. Its ability to maintain a cool and consistent temperature throughout the night can help to reduce excessive sweating and therefore slow down the unwanted hot flushes.

4. It works wonders for hair health

You’ll have heard the term ‘silky smooth hair’, something that we all long for. Funnily enough, this isn’t just a throwaway expression and studies show that silk can actually promote healthier, shinier hair.

It’s now commonly recognized that sleeping on a silk pillowcase can prevent the risks of hair tangling in the night, which can often lead to breakage as a result. The soft texture of silk allows the hair to slide rather than tangle and knot together, far reducing the damage that can be caused over time.

Further to that, if you’re looking to maintain your hairstyle during the night, it’s widely recommended to sleep in a silk head wrap or scarf. According to research, this can slow down the increase of oils in the hair, so you can get another few days out of your style.

5. Helps to keep your skin moisturized

Suffering with dry, dehydrated skin? Silk is your answer. We’re not saying to ditch the moisturizer just yet, but sleeping in silk bedding can help to keep skin hydrated during the night.

Made with tightly-woven, smooth fibres, the properties of silk allow it to keep moisture close to the skin, so you’re not losing that well needed hydration as you would by sleeping on cotton. This also brings it back to reversing the signs of ageing – happy, hydrated and plumper skin means less wrinkles!

6. It can improve your sleep

It may sound like we’ve been promoting silk pillowcases as the answer to all life problems, and while that’s unfortunately not completely true, there is some truth to it. Evidence shows that sleeping in silk bedding can in fact improve your sleep – and we all know that a good night’s sleep affects almost every aspect of your life.

For those who have problems getting a good quality sleep, it can often be down to what you’re sleeping in. Cotton sheets can irritate the skin, attract dust mites and generally get bunched up in the night – all factors significantly impacting restfulness.

Combining all of the above benefits, silk bedding and pillowcases can quite literally promote that well needed beauty sleep that we’re all longing for.

It’s safe to say that all of the evidence points towards the fact that just about anyone would benefit from incorporating more silk into their daily lives. From preventing allergies to helping you age gracefully, if you invest in one thing this year as part of your self-care routine, a silk mask and pillowcase should come top of the list.

What’s more, silk fibers are one of the strongest natural textile fibers in the world. This means that silk is incredibly durable so when properly cared for, you can expect your silk items can to last up to 20 years. We’d say that’s a pretty worthwhile long-term investment!

WOOL

Wool is second best fiber int he world. It is an animal, known as cruelty free product (of course humans can make everything cruel when production of massive scale.) It is textile fiber obtained from sheep, cashmere and mohair from goats, angora from rabbits, there is camel hair and luxurious alpaca. I will not talk Sherpa, not furs as it requires killing and skinning animals, although Wikipedia listing it under wools.

Wool consists of protein together with a small percentage of lipids. In this regard it is chemically quite distinct from the more dominant textile.

Highly popularized over 15 thousand years since domestication of sheep and other animals. WE use wool in art, home décor and high tailoring. Fine weaved Italian and English wools are saunth-after in mostly in menswear, while ladies enjoy their cashmere sweaters, camel overcoats and luxurious loungewear. Europeans use wool all year round from tropical, super fine wool in spring and summers to heavy boucle’s, tweeds and boiled wools in winters.

There are many similarities as well as differences between silk and wool. The key difference between silk and wool is wools ability to retain warmth. Although fabrics made from both silk and wool are able to retain warmth, wool is a better insulator of heat than silk. Highly recommended by ancient swamis for meditations. It is believed to isolate body from physical plane and allows it to achieve higher realms.

Wool fabric is known for its ability to “breathe” keeping wearers warm in the winter and somewhat cool in warmer weather.
However wool can be “ichy” due to its scaled fiber when looked up under the microscope.

What Are the Advantages of Wool?

A. Health Benefits of Wool:

Lower Heart Rate

Wool also keeps your heart rate low. A study conducted by scientists at the Polytechnic Institute of Wales measured the effects of many fibers on human subjects as they slept. Not only did they find that the wool fibers tended to keep the skin drier, they were amazed to discover that the subjects using wool-fill comforters actually had lower heart rates. A lower heart rate indicates that the sleeper is in a deep, relaxed state. The test subjects with other fibers either maintained the same heart rate or exhibited an elevated rate.

Hypoallergenic

Wool Is mostly non-allergenic. When wool is processed without the use of any harsh chemicals such as chlorine or moth-proofing chemicals great for people who suffer from allergies. Though a few people have a natural allergy to lanolin (an oil found in wool) most allergic reactions are caused by the toxic chemicals that are used to create wool garments or bedding.

Mold and Mildew Resistant

Wool has a natural resistance to mildew. This is possible because wool is a natural wicking fiber. The wool fibers actually allow moisture to pass through without retaining any of the moisture in the wool itself. Mold and mildew cannot survive without a damp environment to grow upon. Furthermore, the only way for mold or mildew to grow on wool is if the wool is immersed in water which wouldn’t allow for air circulation.

Temperature Regulating

Wool has the unique ability to self-regulate temperature. Wool fibers keep a pocket of air close to your body. The coil-shaped fibers naturally wick excess heat and moisture from your skin and create an optimal temperature zone, perfect for menopause and good sleep if you use wool mattress.

Arthritis

Like those with fibromyalgia, people suffering from arthritis need support for their joints. They need temperature control and softness. They need rejuvenating sleep. Natural, organic wool, the pure solution to those problems.

Allergies and Asthma

If you have allergies and asthma, you especially need to be careful about choosing the bedding where you’ll spend approximately one third of your life. The toxic chemicals used as fire retardants in synthetic and some natural textiles, like cotton and down, let off gasses which can greatly aggravate your breathing problems. The synthetic fabrics and padding themselves are continually breaking down into their petroleum-based components as gases you’re breathing in.

Fibromyalgia

Mornings are the worst. You know the symptoms: the reactions to certain foods and chemicals, the loss of balance, easily irritated skin, fatigue, and the stiffness. Many people aren’t aware that your choice of bedding can either contribute to or lessen these symptoms.

If you have fibromyalgia, you should wear silk or wool and definitely avoid synthetic sleepwear. Wool regulates your body temperature, and has no chemicals to irritate your skin. Natural, organic wool has all of these qualities.

B. Environmental Benefits of Wool

Want to go green? Choose wool! There are many qualities of wool bedding that make it a true investment in our planet’s future.

Recyclable

The main selling point is that wool can be recycled. The same wool that your great-grandmother used to make her daughter a wedding quilt can be reprocessed and used to make your own daughter a gorgeous wedding quilt.

Energy Saving

Wool is also excellent at maintaining a constant body temperature; therefore it can be used in both hot and cold climates. The wool fibers naturally absorb moisture from the environment which creates a pocket of dry air next to the skin. This means that whether it’s summer or winter, you can navigate without having to constantly regulate the air-conditioner or furnace.

3. LINEN

Coming from central Europe where cotton does not grow, native plant base fiber is linen. I even prefer linen, as its cooling and breezy, as it does not hold on to moisture as cotton. However other properties of linen are not as attractive to American consumer due to its tendency to wrinkle where cotton wrinkles as well but its cozy hand feel speaks volume. Harvesting linen has been industrialized also lowering its cost. However, its production is labor-intensive and

“The quality of the finished linen product is often dependent upon growing conditions and harvesting techniques. To generate the longest possible fibers, flax is either hand-harvested by pulling up the entire plant or stalks are cut very close to the root. After harvesting, the plants are dried, and the seeds are removed through a mechanized process called “rippling” (threshing) and winnowing.

The fibers must then be loosened from the stalk. This is achieved through retting. This is a process which uses bacteria to decompose the pectin that binds the fibers together. Natural retting methods take place in tanks and pools, or directly in the fields. There are also chemical retting methods; these are faster, but are typically more harmful to the environment and to the fibers themselves.

After retting, the stalks are ready for scutching, which takes place between August and December. Scutching removes the woody portion of the stalks by crushing them between two metal rollers, so that the parts of the stalk can be separated. The fibers are removed and the other parts such as linseed, shive, and tow are set aside for other uses. Next the fibers are heckled: the short fibers are separated with heckling combs by ‘combing’ them away, to leave behind only the long, soft flax fibers.

After the fibers have been separated and processed, they are typically spun into yarns and woven or knit into linen textiles. These textiles can then be bleached, dyed, printed on, or finished with a number of treatments or coatings.^{[44” ]}* 1

Linen is strong, long lasting, dries faster than cotton. It is comfortable to wear in hot weather and humidity. Summer suits, dresses and shirts will last years without changing its luster. It you crazy about wrinkles I highly recommend elano-linen – which is a mix of natural linen and manmade viscose (fiber developed out of trees). I would avoid poly-linen as polyester has incredibly toxic footprint on our bodies and the planet.

Linen is a fabulous fiber for home décor also – from upholstery, drapes, kitchen towels, to garment bags and dust bags in your closet. You cannot go wrong….

Our ancestors loved this fiber as its history goes back thousands of year.

“Dyed flax fibers found in a cave in Southeastern Europe (present-day Georgia) suggest the use of woven linen fabrics from wild flax may date back over 30,000 years. Linen was used in ancient civilizations including Mesopotamia ^[2] and ancient Egypt, and linen is mentioned in the Bible. In the 18th century and beyond, the linen industry was important in the economies of several countries in Europe as well as the American colonies.” *1

Properties:

“Linen fabric feels cool to touch, a phenomenon which indicates its higher conductivity (the same principle that makes metals feel “cold”). It is smooth, making the finished fabric lint-free, and gets softer the more it is washed. However, constant creasing in the same place in sharp folds will tend to break the linen threads. This wear can show up in collars, hems, and any area that is iron creased during laundering. Linen’s poor elasticity means that it easily wrinkles.

Mildew, perspiration, and bleach can damage the fabric, but because it is not made from animal fibers (keratin) it is impervious to clothes moths and carpet beetles. Linen is relatively easy to take care of, since it resists dirt and stains, has no lint or pilling tendency, and can be dry-cleaned, machine-washed, or steamed. It can withstand high temperatures, and has only moderate initial shrinkage. (…) Linen can degrade in a few weeks when buried in soil. Linen is more biodegradable than cotton.”*1

COTTON:

“Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.

The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa.^[1] Cotton was independently domesticated in the Old and New Worlds.

The fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. The use of cotton for fabric is known to date to prehistoric times; fragments of cotton fabric dated to the fifth millennium BC have been found in the Indus Valley Civilization, as well as fabric remnants dated back to 6000 BC in Peru. “ *4

Cotton is vastly use in mass production. It competes well with crude byproduct synthetics. It is most affordable of all-natural fibers. However non-organic cotton used hard core pesticides and tempered with, including genetic modifications to improve its it quantity at cost of quality and pollution. It is a strong and durable fiber that is used in fashion, home décor, and other industries. It is a breathable and soft fiber therefore superior to synthetics.

Unfortunately, cotton draws moisture and does not dry fast. Sleeping on cotton may dehydrate skin and create perfect microenvironment for mites, molds and fungus growth.

Cotton is not hypoallergenic by nature, which is a crucial element to consider if you suffer from allergies. But, cotton is generally cheaper and more accessible, therefore if you are on the budget this might be your set choice for time being.

One Scandinavian study found that cotton pillowcases can actually increase the likelihood of wrinkles. If wrinkles are a concern of yours, try switching out your pillowcases with silk replacements and reap the anti-ageing benefits!

Health benefits:

Tree Cotton Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Gossypium arboretum

There are some cotton types that benefit health. In herbalism usage of leaves, roots , barks, flower and seeds of Gossypium arboreum, native to India and Pakistan has been used to treat respiratory diseases, For Mumps, For Blood and Sticky Motions, Cure for Rat bite, For Eye Pains, For curing Puss in the Ears, For removing Bacteria in Teeth, Treats skin problems, For Scorpion Bite, For Joint Pains, Treat wounds or inflamed mucus membrane, For Swollen Legs, Beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. In medicine cotton linens and bandages has been used vastly.

References:

GENIOUS OF NATURE, SILK & WOOL SUPERPOWERS

What Are the Advantages of Wool?