The changes are occurring in the fashion industry as the culture of sustainable fashion was trending in the recent past. As the awareness on environment, pollution and the huge water utilization coupled with the traditional textile production methods increases, there is a shift by both the brands and the users to sustainable textiles.
Present day consumers are concerned with apparels that are fashionable, comfortable and bear the least impact on the environment. In this regard, the new materials that are emerging include the modal fabric which is also taking market well as reconstructing sustainability.
Modal fabric, made from beech tree pulp, is not only luxurious, but also eco-friendly. Receiving special appreciation for its softness, breathability, and strength, modal fabric is a sustainable option to replace the regularly used fabrics such as cotton and synthetic fibers. This has made Lululemon become popular because it taps into the growing trend that consumers are shifting towards ethical clothing that is fashionable, comfortable, and affordable.
Subsequently in the following sections, a discussion on the sources of modal fabric, how it is made, a description of the fabric and the reasons why it is revolutionizing the textile industry will be presented, the various uses of modal fabric in fashion will also be covered and last but not the least, what the future may hold for the modal fabric.
What is Modal Fabric?
Modal fabric is considered to be of a semi-synthetic nature of fabric because it is made from natural cellulose and is chemically processed. It is derived from the pulp of the beech trees, which thus means that it is a renewable and eco-friendly product.
Modal fabric originated in the 1950, it is the type of rayon fabric but improved to some extent with the limit of rayon fabric like durability and texture. Currently, there are several companies involved in the production of modal fabric, which include Lenzing AG, an Austrian company with advanced in production high-quality fabric while, not neglecting the environment.
How It Is Made: A Brief Look at the Production Process
The aforementioned modal fabric production starts with growing beech trees which are known to grow fast with little water consumption. After that, the wood is ground and chemically processed to obtain cellulose particles. The cellulose is then dissolved in a chemical solution, which is usually employing sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide to yield a viscous solution.
It is then extruded through spinnerets which will create thin fibers readily. These are then solidified, thoroughly washed to remove all the chemicals that may remain on them before being spun to yarn. Last of all, it is woven to make the fabric as consumers are conversant with or knitted depending on the final product desired.
However, since it is a chemical process some chemicals are used but owing to modern technology the usage of water and chemicals used in it are kept minimal and most of the wastes are recycled so the modal fabric manufacturing process is considered as a relatively environmentally friendly process.
Key Characteristics of Modal Fabric
Modal fabric is famous for a set of characteristics that in some sense make it special:
- Dulness: They have a velvet feel and touch and it is due to its fiber quality that it competes with costly fabrics like silk.
- Durability: Modal fabric is longer in its sturdiness than typical rayon textile. This one is highly elastic and does not pill, shrink or wear out as other fabrics do which makes the garments to sustain the quality for long.
- Breathability: Modal fabric has been designed in such a way that it provides good ventilation which ensures that the body temperature is well regulated, leading to reduced case of sweating among the users.
- Moisture-Wicking: With this fabric, the fiber has the capacity to absorb twice as much as water as cotton thus being perfect for wear that requires absorption of perspiration such as sportswear.
- Wrinkle-Resistant: The fabric used in modal material does not crease easily and even when washed several times, the creases are hard to come by; this eliminates the use of iron on the fabric.
- Environmental impact at the end of the useful life: As it is produced from plant cellulose, modal fibre is biodegradable, thus it has low impact on the environment when discarded.
It has some luxurious and practical features that make it even more unique as applied to a variety of applications in fashion.
Reasons for the Emergence of Modal Fabric in the Fashion Industry
Sustainability & Environmental Benefits
The following are some of the reasons that put much force on the need to adopt the modal fabric: Conventional cotton farming is well known for its huge water interest and high application of pesticide. Conversely, the beech trees from which modal fabric is derived uses less water and fewer chemicals in the entire process of production hence the lower environmental effect.
Research shows that modal fabrics production consumes between 10-20 % of the water employed in the production of cotton fabric.
Furthermore, the modal fabric is made from a natural resource and thus does not use the fossil products as used in synthetic fibers. This is why using modal fabric that is manufactured by companies like Lenzing AG that use closed-loop systems to reclaim water and chemicals really makes modal fabric the real green deal in the textile market.
Comfort & Performance
It is for these reasons that today’s consumers cannot be expected to compromise on luxury and comfort for the environment. One of the outstanding features of modal fabric that gives it the reputation of being luxurious fabric is its softness, which resembles that of silk.
This quality of modal makes it highly appropriate for apparels that are worn next to the skin like blouses, dresses and under garments. The lack of harshness and roughness of the fabric makes it comfortable to wear the headgear during the entire day.
Besides softness, the chief valuable qualities of modal fabric are breathability. Due in part to its design, the air is able to flow through the material well in order to cool the body and that body heat in particular in warmer conditions. Aside from being moisture-wicking, modal fabric is another first-rate material that is ideal for the production of activewear.
How Modal Fabric is Being Used in Fashion
- Casual Wear & Everyday Fashion
Due to its silky and soft texture and the multiple advantages for wearing, it has become so common in casual wear clothing. When it comes to applications involving contact with the skin all types of modal fabric t-shirts, blouses, and casual dress are preferred because they are light and offer great breathability.
- Activewear & Athleisure
That is precisely why modal fabric makes such a perfect sense and application when it comes to athletic wear; it is very good with moisture absorption and it is stretchable. Meanwhile, Yoga wear, leggings and sports tops, made of modal fabric was opaque and it gives room for free movements besides being soft on the skin and does not soak in sweat.
- Luxury & High-Fashion Apparel
The increased use of modal fabric among the designers is aimed at producing clothing that is classy and fashionable. Regardless of whether one desires a swanky dress or pants, apparel, or a gorgeous skirt, their modal fabric is perfect for the elegant fashion. The fabric is also used in clothes of women of cult fashion show.
- Sleepwear & Loungewear
Premium sleepwear, gowns and home wear is made of modal fabric which is very soft on skin and these clothes can also be washed many times without fading out.
- Intimates & Undergarments
It is very important to place fabrics on undergarments that embrace the comfort and functionality. This makes the modal fabric suitable for various clothing products such as lingerie, underwear and bras due to its softness and quick turnover on moisture.
The Future of Modal Fabric in Fashion
- Innovations in Modal Blends
Currently, to make business sustainability, fashion brands are developing modal fabric blends using organic cotton, hemp, or recycled fibers.
- Technology & Performance Enhancements
It is possible that future developments can include antibacterial material or the fabric, which has a temperature regulating characteristic, making it a perfect material for activewear and as a regular wear.
- Expanding Market & Consumer Demand
This material has gained popularity amongst sustainable fashion brands because of its sustainability friendly attribute. The consumers are becoming sensitive to the things that they are buying and this has created a market for ethical textiles.
- Challenges & Ethical Considerations
Nonetheless, modal fabric production is associated with some challenges especially concerning the use of chemical compounds in fabric processing. Environmental chemicals must be managed properly and cleaner technologies should be employed for retention of this status.
Conclusion
Modal fabric has come out as one of the most affordable and superior fabrics in the fashion industry because of the features that it possesses. Its softness is clearly depicted to be almost comparable to silk while its durability makes sure that clothes as well as other fabrics do not only IQueryable look pleasant but also beautiful always.
The aspects of the production process are in harmony with the environment: the use of renewable material – beech tree pulp, as well as the limited usage of water and chemicals, all these factors will further attract environmentalists and designers.
This recognition of sustainability ensures that modal fabric is the go to fabric for those who are desirous of getting fabrics that will reduce their effects on the environment while producing high quality fabrics. However, there is one textile material that holds tremendous potential for establishing ethical fashion as the clothing fabric of the future – modal fabric.
It’s integration on casual and luxury apparels proves how it can be diverse between casual wear and luxury wear. Modal is much more than a fabric – it is a concept of the progressive approach to manufacturing and a hint at the chic, environmental agenda that has been established for the fashion industry.
