VISCOSE
Everything you need to know about viscose
First of all, let's kill a steady misperception about viscose (aka rayon or faux silk). Often labelled as artificial, viscose is in fact a manmade textile fiber made from 100% vegetable cellulose, the main component of trees and plants. Once invented to offer an affordable alternative to silk, viscose evolved to an everyday fashion favorite thanks to its versatile character, contemporary yet timeless look and many great benefits. In a nutshell: the luxurious look & feel of silk paired with the practical benefits of cotton.
WHAT MAKES VISCOSE SPECIAL?
Viscose’s excellent suitability for for fashion garments is rooted in a bunch of signature benefits, as listed below.
Viscose is…
✓ Breathable
✓ Moist absorbing
✓ Hypoallergenetic, soft to the skin
✓ Supple
✓ Smoother than cotton
✓ Fully recyclable & biodegradable
✓ A refined alternative for silk & cotton
Each type of textile brings its own unique character, including pros as well as cons. Viscose is relatively crease-sensitive, less strong than power fiber cotton (especially when wet) and less resistant to higher temperatures. In other words: wash at a maximum of 40˚C and steer clear from the dryer. Currently eyeballed severely, as not all types of viscose are equally eco-friendly. This is picked up worldwide, resulting in the development of new species ranking higher on the sustainability scale. Whenever possible, Josephine & Co uses sustainable viscose types such as FSC-certified viscose, Lenzing™ EcoVero* and viscose upgrades such as tencel/lyocell* and modal*, more about which later.
WHAT IS VISCOSE?
To create viscose, pulverised wood is bleached down, mixed with liquids to a paste which is presses through micro nozzle holes. These ultra thin threads – so called filaments – are cut into fibrers and finally spun into yarns: a unique manmade base material for fabrics and knits. Although basically of 100% natural origin, the sustainable aspect is compromised by the chemicals required during the production process, as well as the origin of the sourced wood. First generation viscose is less sustainable, but modern viscose types are considerably more eco-friendly.
MORE SUSTAINABLE VISCOSE TYPES
FSC-certified viscose is the upgraded version of first generation viscose. FSC viscose is made from fibers harvested from sustainably managed forests that pay close attention to the conservation of biodiversity, as well as selective logging in order to protect the survival of the forests.
Lenzing™ EcoVero is also a more sustainable development of viscose. EcoVero is produced by Austrian company Lenzing AG, thriving to contribute to a cleaner environment. Compared to ‘regular’ viscose, the ecological footprint is considerably smaller. The bleaching of the wood pulp is done 100% chlorine-free, while 50% fewer emissions are released during production and 50% less water is used during the entire production process.
Although fabrics like modal, lyocell/Tencel and cupro aren’t officially classified as viscose, they are in fact based on the same principle: manmade textile fibers from vegetable (cellulose) pulp.
BLENDS WITH VISCOSE
Regardless the excellent characteristics of 100% viscose, viscose blends are equally popular in fashion. In order to further optimize specific benefits, to alter the overall look & feel, to make lightweight fabrics stronger or to keep coarse knits light in weight. Overview of frequently used blends:
- Blend with polyester – improving crease-resistance, adding a slight stretchability.
- Blend with linen - pairing the best of both fibers in look & feel. Linnen adds tactility and a signature slubby texture.
- Blend with cotton – fuller handfeel, more casual in look & feel.
- Blend with elasthane – mainly executed in jerseys, adding stretch & shape retention.
VISCOSE – EVERYBODY’S FASHION DARLING
Viscose fibers are spun into yarn, yarn is woven into fabric or knitted into garments. Each type of fabric and each type of knit brings its own character. Fine or coarse, smooth or textured, matte or shiny, plain or printed, embroidered... it's all about the right look, as fashion and style are constantly in motion. This is a growing number of items in the Josephine & Co webshop come with a click & learn link that takes you directly to a text explaining the ins & outs of fabrics and knits. We love to see you confidently and well-informed enjoying your ultimate fashion find or timeless new forever piece by Josephine & Co.
JOSEPHINE & CO ♥ VISCOSE