The Sustainable Elegance of Ecru: Conscious Fashion for a Better Planet

Hello, fashion lovers!

Do you know why the color ecru has that name? It seems a bit obvious, doesn't it? But many people don't know why and, even less, the good it does for the planet when choosing this color, besides exuding elegance, of course.

This shade is named because it is the color of natural fibers without dyeing, such as cotton, wool, and linen. And when we talk about undyed fibers, we're talking about much less pollution. Yes, much less! In the entire fashion chain, dyeing generates the most significant negative impact on the environment for two main reasons:

1. High water consumption, requiring around 50 to 100 liters of effluent per kilogram of fiber produced.

2. Highly polluting dyes. The presence of dyes in these waters prevents sunlight from penetrating the deeper layers, leading to the depletion of dissolved oxygen. This causes an imbalance in the ecosystem, resulting in the death of aquatic fauna and flora.

Now you can understand the negative impact you avoid generating when you choose to create your collections with ecru-colored products.

Ecru, also called natural, off-white, or nude, is synonymous with elegance and tradition. Renowned designers agree with me and showcase their bets on ecru color in their freshly unveiled Fall 2024 collections, taking the natural trend to sophistication. An timeless color that, combined with luxurious techniques like crochet, elevates the design of your creations.

Moema Brasil offers several vegetable-origin yarns in ecru. You can access the yarn catalog and choose the most suitable one for your handmade crochet collection. I am very strict in selecting our suppliers, so all Moema Brasil yarn suppliers invest in solutions to minimize the impact of pollution on Brazilian rivers. Euroroma's Eco yarns do not use water; the cotton is separated by color and then recycled, eliminating the need for dyeing. The premium cotton from Círculo SA is dyed using a technology that reduces water consumption by 90%.

There is a city where a river runs through it and is clean. This is world news and an example, but I reflect on how there can only be one river on planet Earth where it is possible to bathe. How did we get here? So I ask you: would you prefer a red sweater (the most polluting color) or an ecru sweater and clean rivers?

Synthetic dyes fall into the category of emerging pollutants, defined as any chemical substance not included in monitoring programs or relevant environmental quality legislation but constantly introduced into the environment due to anthropogenic activities (HORVAT et al., 2012). The disposal of untreated textile effluents in aquatic environments can quickly lead to the depletion of dissolved oxygen, resulting in an imbalance of the ecosystem. The presence of dyes in these waters prevents sunlight from penetrating the deeper layers, altering the photosynthetic activity of the environment, resulting in water quality deterioration, reducing oxygen solubility, and causing toxic effects on aquatic fauna and flora.

The idea that fabrics should not release toxins or polluting fibers is strongly emphasized in the report, as 500,000 tons of plastic microfibers are released during the washing of clothes. This number is 16 times higher than the plastic microparticles in cosmetics, which are already banned in several countries. To make matters worse, if nothing is done, it is predicted that by 2050, 22 million tons of plastic microfibers will be released into the oceans.

Choosing ecru in your fashion creations is not just an aesthetic choice but a commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation. By avoiding the dyeing of natural fibers, you significantly contribute to reducing water consumption and the emission of toxic pollutants into water bodies. Ecru, besides being elegant and timeless, allows you to create sophisticated and traditional pieces, reflecting an ecological consciousness that is increasingly necessary in the fashion world.

Moema Brasil offers ecru vegetable yarn options that are sustainable and of high quality, allowing you to align your collections with the principles of responsible fashion. By choosing products that minimize environmental impact, such as Euroroma's Eco yarns and Círculo SA's premium cotton, you contribute to a future where fashion and sustainability go hand in hand.

Therefore, the next time you create or choose a piece of clothing, remember the positive impact ecru can have on the planet. With this choice, you help preserve our rivers and ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can also enjoy a clean and healthy environment. Fashion has the power to transform not only the look but also the world around us. Be part of this positive change.