Calunga collection brings together culture and sustainability in fashion

Natural Cotton Color, a reference in sustainable fashion, is about to launch its newest collection at Milan Fashion Week in Italy. The Calunga collection celebrates Brazil’s rich cultural heritage, especially Maracatu, a vibrant expression of Carnival in Paraíba and Pernambuco. The fashion show will take place on 20th September at the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milan. The event is organised by the World Sustainability Organization.

Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milan

Connection with Brazilian Traditions and Sustainable Practices

Labyrinth is one of Paraíba’s artisanal techniques and intangible heritage of the state

With 35 looks, the collection is a true tribute to Brazilian culture, with a fusion of impeccable tailoring, artisanal details and contemporary design. Each piece was created with organic cotton that grows naturally coloured, cultivated in the semi-arid region of Paraíba by family farmers and quilombola communities.

The cotton is grown under guaranteed purchase contracts with the farmers’ cooperative, and the price paid per kilogramme is the highest in Brazil. The cotton is cultivated without irrigation and, being coloured, requires no dyeing. This ensures an 87.5% water saving in the production chain when a Natural Cotton Color product is compared with a similar piece in the textile and apparel industry.

Showcasing Paraíba’s Artisanal Heritage

The collection also highlights Labyrinth, an embroidery technique that is intangible heritage of Paraíba and has its production centre in Ingá, the same region where the state’s largest organic cotton cultivation takes place. Calunga also contains handwork of Renaissance lace, bobbin lace and crochet. Details such as macramé and tassel fringes add movement and sophistication to the pieces.

Jacquard developed by Natural Cotton Color with Ecosimple features a chita print — linked to popular manifestations.

Development of Yarns and Fabrics for the Sustainable Fashion Market

In this edition of Milan Fashion Week, Natural Cotton Color is set to launch new jacquard patterns — developed with the textile company Ecosimple. Another novelty is fabrics that combine cotton yarns and silk waste from O Casulo Feliz. The result is a new twill with a soft touch and satin finish. “We use silk and coloured cotton to create a luxury twill. This denim is the result of joining these two yarns: silk in the warp and cotton yarn in the weft,” explains Francisca Vieira, CEO of Natural Cotton Color, who shares the creation of the Calunga collection with stylist Leo Mendonça and also with the creative consultancy of Elis Janoville. The Calunga collection will be presented with exclusive bags by Makano Natural and artisanal footwear by Pacoa, developed with crochet, macramé and filet lace.

The coloured cotton has international organic certification, and Natural Cotton Color products have international Friend of the Earth traceability and sustainability certification.

For more information about the “Calunga” collection or to schedule an interview, please request by email vendas@naturalcottoncolor.com.br and put “Interview” in the subject line.