Spring is upon us and we have already taken the first summer items from the wardrobe.
We certainly find ourselves with numerous cotton T-shirts, sweaters and polo shirts that we can wear again this year, but the desire for something new, if only for the color, leads us to make new purchases. Nothing better than a new cotton polo shirt, a material we know and whose comfort and practicality we appreciate. Cotton is in fact the most widespread natural textile fiber in the world for all knitted and fabric creations. However, it is not enough that it is natural. Unfortunately, cultivation on large scale and all subsequent interventions for the transformation and production of garments require the use of chemical substances that are harmful to the environment and health. Intensive irrigation, the use of insecticides, defoliants and fungicides, as well as GMO seeds impoverish the soil. Since residues can remain even after washing the finished products, possible allergies may occur.
Given these considerations, the cultivation of organic cotton is increasingly expanding, cotton that is grown, produced, processed and certified according to organic agricultural standards. Currently only a small quantity of the cotton produced worldwide is organic, but there is certainly an increase in this. The selection starts from the seeds which are not GMO, the weeds are physically eliminated and the parasites are balanced with the introduction of beneficial insects into nature. Organic cotton promotes healthy soil which, by retaining moisture, requires less irrigation. The fiber is then harvested by hand and is therefore purer, for garments with a softer, longer-lasting, hypoallergenic and absorbent touch. By not using fertilizers and pesticides, reduced greenhouse gas emissions are produced, thus contributing to climate improvement.
Organic cotton is now mainly grown by small companies that control its quality, but it is certainly more expensive. It is therefore important, even at a consumer level, to recognize organic cotton, verify its quality and ensure that the products are certified with globally recognized certifications, which guarantee control of the entire production chain.
From the collections of the spinners present at Pitti Filati – Summer 2025 we have selected some of the proposals, keeping in mind the commitment of the spinners to increase the use of the best cottons on the market.
Concept by Ornella Bignami, Elementi Moda
