Plant-Based Futures: Aloe Vera Fabrics for Interiors

For many brands, key sustainability practices are evolving to encompass minimal water and chemical usage alongside reduced carbon emissions. Materials that require little or no irrigation management during cultivation are therefore growing in significance. Aloe vera, a succulent plant species, is a prime example: it thrives in water-scarce conditions and requires no chemicals or fertilisers to grow.

Kirkby Design takes advantage of these benefits for its Aloe collection. The wide-width sheer drapery textile is composed of 60% aloe vera and 40% organic cotton. It’s produced using waste aloe vera leaves (a by-product of the cosmetics industry following gel extraction), which are pressed, shredded and spun into yarn. The resulting fibre is soft and lightweight, lending itself to voile qualities that diffuse light.

Furthermore, the fibre has excellent absorbency, making its dyeing process lower in chemical usage. As such, the brand has achieved a number of vibrant trend-driven colours (like Acid Yellow and Cobalt Blue) alongside a palette of calming neutrals.

To date, aloe vera remains a relatively untapped resource in the textiles sphere, featuring predominately as a treatment for active- and loungewear fabrics for its softening, soothing and moisturising qualities – see Embracing Sustainable Solutions in Futureproofing Kidswear Strategies. But much like hemp and bamboo, it also offers scope for scalable new fabric blends that are generally cleaner and kinder to people and planet.

We highlight the noticeable shift towards more carefully considered bio-based materials in our S/S 2026 Colour & Material Directions. See our theme Upbeat and Materials Evolution for more insights.