When top textile vendors branch out into the green, it plants a fertile seed for the entire industry. That’s why I’m applauding Brentano – one of the best sources for designers – for now offering a wide range of responsible fabrics (such as the stunning weaves above).
Among the new selections are 100% recycled polyester bark’s cloth, Eco Wool and faux leathers. The line, including soft woven bamboo, gives us wider options for upholstering sofas and chairs (no more waiting six months for that Brentano mohair velvet from Italy!).
Textile designer Iris Wang and her husband E-Kwan Chen co-founded Brentano over 18 years ago. Their fabrics have been featured in stylish, big bones homes as well as many large installations, including the American Embassy in London, Microsoft in Seattle and most recently, the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
“As we grow, we continue to invest time and energy in developing our company’s green mindfulness,” says the founders. Brentano believes that green awareness is not just a concept or a product, but a lifestyle, and encourages sustainability in the workplace.
Each of the new eco fabrics sold to the trade comes with a “green story” describing the content (e.g. recycled polyester fiber from post consumer polyesters, such as plastic bottles headed for the landfills).
All of these green stories have a happy ending, one that validates the importance of milling gorgeous textiles that are no longer treated with toxic chemicals and harmful dyes.