New textile combines recycled fibres with Kyoto dyeing for sustainable textiles

Kyoto-based textile designer ALBA launched its original textile collection, Future Line, earlier this month. The series integrates sustainable materials with traditional Kyoto dyeing and weaving techniques. It also utilises a pigment printing process that reduces water consumption by 60 to 70 per cent compared to conventional dye printing.

The collection features five distinct designs printed on two types of environmentally conscious fabrics. The first is a blend of 94 per cent cupro and 6 per cent silk. Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fibre made from cotton linter, the short fibres surrounding cotton seeds that are typically discarded during production. This material is biodegradable and derived from non-petroleum sources. The second fabric is a recycled polyester made from processed PET bottles. It maintains the durability of standard polyester while contributing to waste reduction and lower petroleum reliance.

The manufacturing process employs high-definition pigment printing using 1800-mesh screens. Unlike traditional dyeing, this method requires no washing or steaming, effectively eliminating wastewater from these specific stages.

The visual motifs of the Future Line are inspired by the ancient forests of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nobuyuki Yasuda, Representative Director of ALBA, based the designs on sketches he made of Yakushima cedars 30 years ago. The patterns represent the memory of life through delicate line drawings of tree rings, moss-covered bark, and the natural cycles of the forest.

Yasuda stated that he returned to the starting point of textile design by focusing on the materials. He noted that by listening to the textures and expressions of recycled fibres, the office sought new forms through dialogue with the cloth. He expressed hope that the challenge of making cloth from a sustainable perspective would lead to new forms of expression for the next era.