In World 259, each country has its own thriving textile industry, using local resources particular to that area. It provides jobs and its people buy locally produced clothing. The UK is pioneering the use of sustainable nettle fibre (an ancient practice, lost long ago and now revived and thriving), along with wool, linen, and hemp.
This local industry developed because of the damage caused by imported synthetic clothing, the loss of the textile industry in the UK, fast fashion and plastics pollution. Local materials are prized, promoted by its fashion designers, clothing is cherished, and circular principles are adopted as usual practice. Natural materials are held in high regard for their beneficial qualities.
What if …
… each country had its own thriving textile industry, using local resources particular to that area?
Issue targeted:
Reviving of ancient locally sourced fabrics (nettle and linen), the loss of the UK textile industry and jobs. Issues around cherishing clothes, repairing and recycling. (circular practices).
Inspiration:
As part of my studies at Derby University, I have harvested nettle fibres, spun and created my own fabric. There is currently no manufacturer in the UK who makes nettle fabric. I have also grown my own flax and am in the process of making my own linen. I have proved that these fibres are readily available in the UK.
This World was contributed by Sidony Swan (located in Derby, UK), using a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence which allows others to share and adapt the work in any medium and for any purpose, providing that they credit the author and share their material using the same Creative Commons licence.
Does this World remind you of something?
I am keen to hear about any historical or contemporary real-world examples – whether individual practices, subcultures or mainstream activities – that this fiction brings to mind.
Please share any such examples using this form. Thank you!