F-ABRIC 2016

PROXIMITÉ, DURABILITÉ, COMPOSTABILITÉ

F-ABRIC has been around for just over a year. And the reason these biodegradable, toxin-free textiles come with an E number like those nasty food additives is very simple: E doesn't just stand for quality and controllable, fairer production methods: more than anything, it's about short transport routes and thus more economical use of resources. It also stands for Europe, which is where F-ABRIC comes from. F-ABRIC textiles don't need to travel three times round the globe before you can wear them. The flax used in the new F-ABRIC jacket, for instance, is sourced from fields in Normandy, where it is processed in local farmers' cooperatives. The material itself is made by an artisan-run weaving company in Lombardy and sewn in Silesia, Poland. Anything bearing a F-ABRIC E number is grown and created within a 2500-kilometer radius of FREITAG headquarters before it is worn by creative workers the world over at all hours of the day and night. And because all garments with an E number are also 100% compostable, the motto of the European Union has simply been extended to include them: "United in Diversity and Degradability".

TENUE CORRECTE COMPOSTABLE
Like the first rugged work pant, the new everyday E850 MALE JACKET, designed for more formal occasions, is made from the top-of-the-line F-ABRIC bast fiber weave, Broken Twill. The blazer cut, with its concealed cycler’s back pocket and three single-row buttons designed to be unscrewed and reused, makes it a model of degradable gear for society-surfing city-dwellers. And thanks to the concealed top button, it allows the wearer to fasten it up good and tight against breezes, both in and out of the saddle.

SPRING LEAVES
The new, sleeveless spring and summer E172 FEMALE DRESS is made of Lenzing Viscose, a fiber produced in Austria from various European broadleaf trees, mixed with linen fibers. The material, which is woven in Italy and also called Italo Visco, gives the garment its soft, airy silhouette. The same weave features in two summery, loose-cut tops: the slightly longer E301 FEMALE TOP and the half-placket E381 FEMALE SHIRT.

THINK TANK TOP
The new E300 FEMALE and E700 MALE TANK TOPS may come from the same fields and producers and look virtually identical. But otherwise, they have absolutely nothing in common. While the E700 will mostly be worn under a shirt cozying up to its wearer's chest hair and seen most only on real hard-working guys or in high summer on hipster-philosophers, the E300 is the top for any woman in any situation and looks great layered when the weather gets cooler. 

DUAL CITIZENSHIP
The new E175 MIDI DRESS comes from two of Europe's sunnier regions: the upper half is made of Freitag Jersey in linen and Modal, woven in Portugal while the lower, skirt section is made of new, soft Italo Visco.

SHORT-DISTANCE SHORTS
Shorts are a nightmare for developers. They are as difficult and expensive to make as long pants but are expected to cost much less. Even under the demanding production conditions normal for F-ABRIC. Here are two solutions from the FREITAG team: the E551 MALE SHORTS are high-cut, no-frill work pants in Broken Twill designed for masculine legs in search of the sun. The E151 FEMALE SHORTS are an airy new invention made of light-but-robust Italo Visco with reusable screw-off metal buttons and ribbons to make sure the material falls just right.

EURO-BAST NORM-CORE
The new, absolutely symmetrical E321 FEMALE and E721 MALE T-SHIRTS are made of the same tried-and-tested FREITAG Jersey that brings together bast fibers and Modal. They come with no fussy details like breast pockets but with perfectly knitted cuffs and are ideal for anyone so normal they don't even need room for their cigarettes.