UK: Fashion industry is ready for environmentally friendly fabrics

In September, leading designer Emily Todhunter burst on to the eco-scene with the launch of her organic fabrics range for O Ecotextiles, a company specialising in socially and ecologically responsible textile processing.

All the fibres are processed non-toxically, using natural fibres from hemp, bamboo, abaca, linen and silk -even the dyes are organically certified.

The fibres are grown organically and then spun, milled and woven, dyed and finished, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemicals, and without wasting huge amounts of fresh water.

Processing textiles causes pollution, and each year textile mills discharge effluent containing potentially harmful chemicals.

Interoir designer Hugh St Clair has launched his Zanzibar collection, a range of fabrics made from hemp, a material that he says is "ideal for upholstery, and hangs beautifully when used as curtains or drapes.

Recycling old curtains and fabrics is another green alternative - charity shops and curtain exchange stores are a useful source for this.