It is official: the future of ethical fashion is the new range of alternative fabrics.

From Germany we have Tenzing Modal, a spun fiber made from cellulose extracted from Beech wood. Some claim this is the first carbon neutral thread.

From the Netherlands we have Nettles:

"I just wanted to demonstrate that nettles can be a viable alternative to cotton and other textiles that are harmful to the environment," says Crebas. In 2006, working with one of his sons, Frank, he planted 33 hectares of the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the land where they live and work in Emmelord, in Holland's north-east Polder region. Today, this has grown to 80 hectares. They also have five hectares of nettles growing in both the Czech Republic and Lithuania. -- Guardian

And from China we have the current favorites, Hemp and Bamboo.

There are some pretty big claims made about bamboo in particular:

Better for the environment

- Bamboo is 100% naturally grown, without assistance from man. Our bamboo is 100% sustainable - Bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers - Bamboo fibre is 100% biodegradable

As the fastest growing plant in the world, bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in 3-4 years. It spreads rapidly across large areas. Because of this, bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas of land.

If organic clothing made from bamboo becomes popular, it means more bamboo plantations, which means more photosynthesis and less greenhouse gas. “The greatest challenge facing mankind” would get just a little easier.

Better for you

- Fabric made from bamboo is incredibly soft - Bamboo fabric is smooth and luxuriously comfortable

‘Bamboo Dry’ – absorbs and evaporates sweat in a split second. It doesn’t stick to the skin. It’s extraordinary natural breathability keeps you comfortable and dry for longer.

‘Bamboo Thermo-control’ – bamboo fabric is highly breathable in hot weather and also keeps you significantly warmer in the cold. Keeping you more comfortable in all temperatures - ‘Air conditioned clothing’

‘Bamboo Fresh’ – bamboo is antibacterial, forever. By killing almost all bacteria, bamboo stays fresher and odour free for longer, is more hygienic and healthier. -- bambooclothing.co.uk

There is currently considerable discussion amongst eco-fashion blogs about whether any of this is actually true.

As the guys at Lotus Organics point out, the processing of bamboo is pretty intensive and not particularly environmentally friendly, and a Dovetail Partners report into the cultivation of bamboo is not particularly positive.

Many of the natural stands of bamboo in China are no longer truly natural regenerates since management has caused ecosystem conversion toward plantations. -- Dr. F. Maoyi, Chinese Academy of Forestry in a 2005 Dovetail report (PDF) about bamboo flooring

The question is whether any of the other materials would stand up to the same kind of scrutiny. I somehow doubt it.

People that question why brands do not use more of these materials generally fail to appreciate the complications involved in producing clothing - it is not simple to substitute one material for another as it may have totally different properties and require different machinery.

That is not to say that it is impossible, but creating a viable supply chain is more than a small eco-brand can do in a climate where there is little demand for these products.

And anyway, I'll tell you a secret.

Each year, thousands of tonnes of used clothing are collected in the UK alone. Much of this is baled and shipped to Eastern Europe and Africa, where it is sold, in the process decimating local economies -- an unfortunate by-product of our obsession with disposable fashion. This is an almost untapped mountain of material which could be 'mined' to produce new clothing.

This is the future - high class clothing with low environmental impact. Expect to see much more of this happening in the near future, and remember you heard it here at Celsias first.