Your Next Outfit Could Be Made With Human Hair
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As the fashion industry confronts sustainability and environmental challenges, designers are exploring innovative ways to reduce waste and minimize their ecological footprint. Zsofia Kollar, the founder of Human Material Loop, is turning to an unexpected resource to reduce her impact — human hair. The Dutch entrepreneur collects hair cuttings from hairdressers and transforms them into fabric for clothes, curtains, carpets, and furniture.
"Throughout history, we've utilized a variety of animal fibers in textiles, yet our own hair, composed of the same keratin protein as wool, often goes overlooked," Kollar says. "Why not treat human hair as we would any other valuable textile fiber?"
Human hair as a biomaterial may seem like an odd choice, but it made perfect sense to Kollar. The readily available waste material requires no land, water, or resources to produce. Her fabric also saves thousands of tons of hair from ending up in landfills annually.
More importantly, this innovation could significantly reduce the need for synthetic fibers, such as polyester, which contribute to microplastic pollution. Additionally, the fabric could serve as a substitute for natural materials like cotton. Their production requires large quantities of water and polluting pesticides and fertilizers.
"Waste hair does not degrade any soil, require any pesticide, pollute any water, or produce any greenhouse gas emissions," Kollar points out.
The designer's process involves treating the cut hair with environmentally friendly chemicals. These chemicals help clean the hair and change its texture. Kollar says the resulting yarn can be dyed any color, except white, and be woven into a fabric that looks and feels like wool.
"Many times if people hear a fabric is made out of human hair, they’re like, ‘Eww!’” Kollar said. “But if I just show them a sample and say, ‘What do you think of this?’ they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s cool.’ And then when I tell them afterward it’s made of hair, it’s a very different reaction.”
Human Material Loop, which was founded in 2021, is still in its early stages. So far, the hair fabric has only been used to create prototypes of materials and clothing. But Kollar has partnered with a high-end fashion label to launch a few of her eco-friendly garments later in 2024. The designer's ultimate dream is to transform a quarter of global salon waste – a staggering 550,000 tons of human hair – into fabric annually by 2034.
Resources: Washingtonpost.com, dezeen.com, fashionunited.uk
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48 Comments
cnraemn328 daysI would imagine that wearing those clothes would be extremely itchy.
koalaqueen3 monthsThat's so cool!!!!!......... Also Kind of gross
nonoo3 monthsWhy don't use dog hair instead? I mean, thousands of dogs are groomed everydya, meanwhile only a few people cut their hair each day. It would make sense 🤔- bcuber21 daysThere are billions of people on earth and millions get their haircut in a single day. Dogs can go a while without getting their hair cut but humans can’t. Also not everyone has pets. People may have pets but not everybody has a DOG for a pet. Think about that.
vovajogusyfa3 monthsI learned from school. That plastic bottles can turn into jackets!!! (*o*)<!!!!!
girly_pop322 monthsThat's cool and weird it's weird because how does plastic turn into lether jackets it's cool because that could be useful Thank you for letting us know. 😊👍
- vovajogusyfa3 monthsOMG!! I know it's gross but at least it helps the environment(?) Do you think there are MORE ways to reduce trash or stuff? (-_-") My hair is so long... maybe it'll help.... :-)
cisajehizeni4 monthsIt's cute but I would constantly be thinking about wearing peoples hair 😅
ginawithheartz04 monthsi would wear this who agrees
doxslover4 monthsnot if you took really really good care of your hair
olivenottamat04 monthsso weird but cool at the same time
celestialk4 monthsIt would itch awfully.
