NO POLYESTER – THE CHALLENGE OF PLASTIC IN FASHION

Today, polyester dominates over half of global textile production, driven by the relentless pursuit of lower costs and the logic of mass consumption. However, it is essential to question the origin and impact of what we wear.

Polyester is, in essence, plastic derived from petroleum. Its ubiquity generates unprecedented environmental damage. At Muese, we have chosen a different path. We decided to eliminate polyester-based fabrics from our clothing, prioritizing materials that offer high quality, superior performance, and greater responsibility toward the planet. 

MICROPLASTICS: A THREAT TO THE OCEANS

For Muese, sustainability begins with understanding invisible cycles. There is one aspect of textile production that deserves our immediate attention: microplastics.

Synthetic fibers derived from petroleum release persistent micro particles with every wash. Polyester historically stands as one of the primary vectors of this pollution, particularly in plush textures and short fibers such as fleece. Being imperceptible to the naked eye, these particles pass through filtration systems and eventually reach the oceans. There, the damage multiplies: mistaken for food by plankton and small fish, they accumulate within organisms, sickening marine life and introducing contaminants at the base of the food chain, creating a toxic cycle that eventually returns to us.

As a lower-cost fiber, polyester is intrinsically linked to more fragile synthetic constructions with lower abrasion resistance. It is precisely this structural weakness that drives the massive shedding of microfibers with each wash, silently aggravating marine pollution. In contrast, superior synthetic alternatives exist, such as polyamide. These offer greater durability and significantly reduce fiber shedding, in addition to featuring innovations with biodegradable technologies that leave a smaller footprint. Guided by a deep respect for the environment, we feel a responsibility to mitigate this cycle, selecting raw materials that interact more harmoniously with aquatic ecosystems.

THE ORIGIN AND THE CARBON FOOTPRINT

We believe that true sophistication begins with transparency regarding origin. Polyester, like all synthetic fabrics, is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels. Its transformation into yarn requires intensive chemical processes and high energy demand, generating a disproportionate carbon footprint. We live in a paradox: using a material that persists in nature for centuries to craft garments with an extremely short lifecycle.

Far from the low-cost logic inherent to polyester, we prioritize responsibly sourced natural and cellulosic raw materials. In instances where technical performance makes synthetics indispensable, we select high-performance fibers that ensure garment longevity. By combining fine materials with a timeless aesthetic, we extend the lifecycle of each creation, reaffirming our commitment against premature disposal and diluting the carbon impact of every piece over time.

THE COMPLEXITY OF RECYCLING

Conventional polyester textile recycling faces severe technical barriers that are rarely discussed. Unlike materials such as glass or aluminum, polyester undergoes quality degradation with every reprocessing cycle. This phenomenon renders the recycling of these garments a technically complex and energy-intensive process, resulting in the vast majority of polyester produced today inevitably ending up in landfills.

While recycled polyester (rPET) from plastic bottles is widely discussed as an eco-efficient solution, we view this alternative with caution. Upon analyzing the supply chain, we observe that transforming bottles into clothing can disrupt the circular packaging loop, where plastic could be reused multiple times in its original form, effectively transferring it into a system with low circularity.

The issue becomes even more critical when polyester is blended with natural fibers. This fusion creates a hybrid material that is nearly impossible to separate, rendering the plastic unrecoverable while simultaneously condemning fibers such as cotton, preventing them from being individually composted or recycled.

Our pursuit is for excellence and longevity, grounded in the belief that true sustainability lies in creating garments that remain in your wardrobe for years to come. At the end of their lifecycle, our use of carefully selected fibers ensures that each piece meets the best possible destination, respecting the balance and limits of our ecosystem.

THE CHOICE OF FINE MATERIALS

At Muese, we believe that true elegance is felt on the skin. For us, the act of dressing transcends visual aesthetics, becoming a sensory experience that demands fine raw materials. This choice establishes a direct synergy with the depth of our designs, which is why we do not surrender to the convenience of using polyester to reduce operational costs. For us, sophistication also manifests in the softness of the touch, in skin that breathes, and in quality capable of withstanding the test of time.

We believe that the excellence of a garment requires materials of a superior standard to fully reveal itself. More than a technical guideline, this stance is an invitation to rethink production and consumption. We seek to distance ourselves from ephemerality to embrace materials that carry history, superior comfort, and a deep respect for the cycles of nature.

We know that the path to sustainability is not linear. It is a living subject that demands constant analysis and offers no definitive answers. Therefore, our commitment is to attentive research, balancing the environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of every decision. We move with a positive and restless intention, always seeking the best alternative available for the present and the future.