Controversial Fabric: The Pre(judices) of Hemp in Our Jeans

Our two new fits, HALO and STELLAR , not only have a cool retro cut, but also a very special feature: they are made not only from organic cotton, but also from 20% hemp fibers. Hemp requires far less water and space to grow than cotton, making it significantly more sustainable. And our new jeans feel so soft and comfortable that I wonder why so many more clothes aren't made from hemp fibers. Well, the answer is: Because hemp is burdened with some prejudices. 

Hemp is mainly known as cannabis or marijuana for its psychoactive effects—in other words, as a drug. This negative association has led to hemp cultivation being banned in some countries, or still being banned. However, far from all hemp plants contain enough THC (that's the psychoactive substance that is considered either popular or illegal, depending on your point of view) to be consumed as a drug. Most hemp varieties are "completely normal"—albeit pretty great—crops with the wrong associations. So don't worry if you order your HALO or STELLAR : Both fits are legal, and no, you can't smoke them. The second reason for its bad image lies in the history of the hemp industry. Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and has been grown for thousands of years. Until the 1920s, hemp was used to make various fabrics. Hemp fibers made up a large part of clothing back then, but due to their durability, they were also used for rope and canvas. Unfortunately, all these products had one downside: they were rough and not particularly comfortable. That might not be a problem for canvas, but it is for trousers worn directly against the skin. As a result, hemp was gradually replaced by newer materials in the clothing industry and fell somewhat out of favor. 

Nowadays, however, hemp is making a small comeback, and we are among the fans in the front row, waving flags and cheering. After all, compared to the past, we have now learned one important thing: hemp is not only sustainable and extremely durable, but also makes a pleasantly soft fabric when hemp fibers are combined with cotton. And it was precisely this idea that inspired our HALO and STELLAR . They feel great against the skin and are made from a lightweight yet durable fabric that is also significantly more sustainable than pure cotton. When we weigh all these benefits against the prejudices, we are convinced that hemp offers great potential for the future of the jeans industry.