Maria Clara Restrepo

Maria Clara Restrepo is an industrial designer specialising in fashion and textiles, with over then years of experience working as a university lecturer, and in the fashion industry. Concerned about the environmental impact of textiles, she began working closely with fique farmers and communities to explore the potential of the natural fibre. Following her masters in product design with technical textiles, she began to focus on how fique could replace cotton within everyday clothing, leading her to obtain an international patent for fique processing.

The main fibre produced in Colombia is cotton, fulfilling a demand of around 80,000 tons per year.  Colombia, however, is also the world's leading producer of fique, with 22,000 tons produced annually by 70,000 rural families. The fibre is thick, stiff, strong, and more environmentally-friendly to produce than cotton. Using an innovative methodology that eliminates chemical components without compromising the integrity of the fibre, cotton-like properties can be developed in the fique, making it suitable for high-value textile applications. A 50/50 fique-cotton blended yarn is then made using traditional cotton spinning machines, producing a denim fabric that meets all the necessary requirements for clothing applications. This innovation not only provides alternative choices for fibre, but supports the local economy through creating skilled job opportunities, and increasing potential income sources for farmers.