Piña is a natural plant-based fibre sourced from the leaves of the Red Pineapple. Its scarcity and high price are due to the complex process of extracting the strings of a coarse fibre called Linawan from the Pineapple leaves. The yarn is woven into a lightweight lustrous fabric that is low in maintenance and environmentally friendly.
Found in South East Asia Piña fabric is indigenous to The Philippines. Piña-making was originally introduced to them by the Spanish colonizers. It was popular amongst Filipino aristocrats in the 19th century. Later in 1980s it became a dying practice amongst local artisans and weavers due to the cheap and easy to source alternative cotton fabric.
Today Filipino creatives are determined to celebrate Piña -making and consider it to be the next sustainable sensation. Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino dressed Hollywood stars in pina fabric, Seychelle Pagatpatan Wilmouth US-Based Pinay entrepreneur owns Silviyana, an eco-wedding boutique creating gowns in blends of piña, spun mulberry silk, abaca and organic cotton. Filipino Artisan Raquel R. Eliserio winner of the Global Eco Artisan Awards 2021 considers Piña textile the queen of the Philippine textiles. HABI: The Philippine Textile Council provides platforms for local weavers and considers Piña fabric a national pride and an artisanship worth preserving.
As always fashion has been inspired by what is rare and beautiful and Piña’s story is a wonderland of luxury, beauty and sustainability. A lightweight fabric that is similar in appearance to linen, carries a natural gloss lustrous as silk and is a semi- transparent soft and fine material. By tradition Piña weavers use only natural herbs and plants to add colour. It is hand washable, there is no need for a dry clean.
Pineapples are grown organically as these plants grow better on untreated soil. Piña blends well with other fibres such as silk (Piña seda) and Abaca (Piña Jusi). Piña Cloth is not produced on a large scale making it possible to maintain its low environmental impact. It is a biodegradable fibre suitable for a circular economy.
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