EcoZeal

Not just for sandals anymore – cork can be used to make attractive luggage and many other items.

On October 30, 1875, an article appeared in the New York Times detailing a London Times reporter’s description of a revolutionary new fabric introduced in Paris:

“A stall has lately been added to the Maritime Exhibition … for the purpose of showing a fabric which is very like leather, but with qualities not possessed by any animal’s hide…  If used as leather, it is certainly one-fourth the weight of hide, and looks as well, at half the cost.  If in the guise of macintosh, it is as supple, and yet not sticky like ordinary water-proof.”

The material in question?  Cork!

The Ultimate in Sustainability – Harvesting from Mature Forests Without Harming the Trees

Cork is the spongy inner bark of a type of oak tree native to dry Mediterranean regions.  The bark protects the tree from forest fire and grows to be many inches thick.  It can be harvested every 9-12 years without harm to the tree.  This renewable resource is doubly valuable because maintaining cork oak forests allows an entire ecosystem to be preserved.  This offers protection to many species including the endangered Barbary Macaque in northwest Africa.  Because cork is gathered entirely by hand, the harvesting process is non-invasive.

Cork has long been used in the clothing industry as a material for shoe beds.  Anyone who has ever owned a pair of Birkenstock sandals  can attest to its durability, light weight and attractive appearance.  But 19^th century attempts notwithstanding, its use in other aspects of clothing is little-known. 

The cloth described in the article quoted above appears to have been composed of a layer of treated cork sandwiched between two layers of linen.  Despite reported interest on the part of the military, it seems to have faded into the mists of history.  Perhaps it just didn’t live up to its expectations.

Cork Fabric in Modern Times

Today, however, cork fabric is making a comeback.  Modern methods of production result in a product which, if manufacturers’ claims are accurate, is similar to leather in appearance, touch and durability. 

Cork fabric may be used to make a variety of items, including clothing, handbags, luggage, wallets, upholstery, painting canvas and more. 

One thing the eco-conscious consumer should be aware of is that the fabric may come treated with Scotch-Guard or similar chemicals.  Check with the manufacturer to find out for sure if this is true of the item you’re considering.  If it is, you’ll need to weigh the presence of a small amount of chemical against the eco-friendly cork growing and harvesting processes.

One other thing to consider is the cork fabric manufacturing process itself.  This writer will have to wait for more information before commenting on that topic;  perhaps it will be the subject of a future post.

Is cork fabric here to stay, or will it simply make another blip on the timeline of fashion history?  It’s too early to tell; but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on!

For more information on where to find cork fabric and products made from it, see the following:

Chantler  – Cork handbags; sample cork fabric swatches available.

Jelenik Cork Group – All things cork, including cork fabric by the roll.