Are Natural Fabrics Being wiped-Out By Synthetics?

Are natural materials being wiped-out by synthetics?
For the purpose of this assignment I intend to analyse and discuss further whether or not natural materials are being wiped out by synthetics. To have a starting point for my research I will firstly need to define Natural materials and also synthetics. The term natural materials as defined by the Cambridge Online Dictionary. (2010) refers to a natural physical substance found in nature, which things can be made from and not involving anything man made. The Oxford Online Dictionary. (2010) defines synthetics as made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product, not genuine. I will research further into artificial materials and artificial goods such as artificial silk producers and designer bags which maybe too expensive to buy for some, therefore a replica or a fake is produced for a small price. I will pursue further discussion around the effects that synthetics and naturals have on the environment, such as trend which leads to multiple buying and increased disposability. Are synthetics biodegradable like naturals? Do upper-class people tend consume more naturals than synthetic due to their increased aesthetics and luxury. I would like to explore society’s views on whether they think natural materials give a sense of power, wealth, status, luxury, and are naturals considered more luxurious. Can luxurious things affect your self esteem and your position on the social hierarchy and can they in turn promote status anxiety manifestations such as snobbery, enacted in cloth and behaviour. Are synthetics considered as their own entity or are they considered a copy of the real thing.

Artificial Silk Producers
Designer fakes

The effects Synthetics and Naturals Have on the environment

Are synthetics a copy of the real thing?

Designer fakes are made cheaply and to look like the real thing. Instead of using leather for instance they may use PVC which is a synthetic A synthetic is produced artificially by chemical processes to resemble a natural product Geddef and Groffet
All textiles were originally made from natural fibers such as plant, animal and mineral sources. However these were supplemented by artificial fibers, such as synthetics, from the 20th century onwards. www.india-crafts.com (2007). (2008).
Many textile practitioners think it is important to acknowledge this while also looking to the future, and the result of this is that the traditional and the super-advanced co-exist in harmony Braddock-Clarke S. (2005).
A textile company based in Tokyo called Nuno Corporation ”Respect the craft traditions of textiles while simultaneously developing the latest technologies.” Nuno use CAD and industrial methods to produce designs that often look hand made. Braddock-Clarke S. (1998)
Decades ago Rudi Gernreich predicted the future of textiles and fashion design, he would no doubt have approved of the unique creative path being pursued by London based fashion designer Manel Torres who is now the managing director of Fabrican Limited. His company patented a new technology which literally created fabric in a can Lee S. (2005) “When sprayed the fabric is formed by cross linking of fibres which stick to create an instant non-woven fabric that can be easily sprayed on to any surface.” Fabrican Limited (2007).

Trend, Multiple buying = Increased Disposability

Should we Recycle or Should all clothes be bio degradeable?

Ingenuity and eco awareness are driving a new movement in recycled fashion and its desirable says Marina Cashdan
For designers such as Eviana Hartkin of Bodkin and Karta Healy of Two n Fro, who incorporate recycled fabrics into their collections is a glorious sea change in the fashion world.
Healy says” I hope everyone in design can integrate as much waste from out surroundings to ease the pressure progress has on our planet”
Now even big name houses are doing,