La Canapa
We aim to develop the world's best hemp. The process starts from the most fertile hemp fields. Our "La Canapa" is woven and treated in Italy, between Milan and Tuscany, following our strict recipes to make the softest and most sustainable hemp ever.
they are all 100% pure fresh hemp
Hemp is the strongest natural fabric, with the highest grade of breathability; that's why we love it. We constantly innovate to make the world's top hemp fabric. Since 2017 we have experimented and played with new varieties, the best of which you will find in our products.
la canapa europea
Hemp is expensive to grow and cut, especially for fine fabrics. In June 2018, the last French hemp farmers ceased production: it was the end of the European hemp. We bought the last 200kg available and we are still using this precious and unique hemp for some of our garments.
LA CANAPA A MAGLIA
century hemp
We are among the largest collectors of century-old hemp bed linens and clothes, recovered from abandoned basements. From these durable and historical sheets we make new, modern garments.
BURRO CANAPA
The lightest and softest Hemp fabric ever made. Learn more here.
HEMP ADVANTAGES
durable
According to scientific studies, hemp is the most durable natural textile, namely it withstands more washes than linen and cotton. Its durability is proven by so many samples that we acquired, dating back to 1800 and 1900.
anti-bacterial
Hemp is impervious to bacterias and textile fungus. That's why it's often sown to reclaim lands. This property also benefits hemp garments, which are resistant to moths and common pests affecting other textiles.
thermo-regulating
Hemp is often used as insulating material (even in buildings!) because it maintains temperature better than any other natural fabric. It will refresh you when it is warm outside, and it will warm you when it’s cold.
planet saver
Hemp requires less water and converts more carbon dioxide than any other plant used for textiles.
Softer and softer
While cotton degrades over time, hemp threads turn softer. Washes will make them increasingly soft, because they round the right angle yarns, without breaking them.
Further benefits
Hemp is easier to dye, easier to grow, it's more resistant to UV rays (so the color won't fade in the sun) and it can weaken the electromagnetic waves of your phone. So, in short, it can protect you against harmful waves.
hemp straw
After being grown and cut, hemp is macerated in water to extract the fibre: the starting point for the next stage.
the blonde hair
Hemp fibres are scraped and combed to obtain a blonde filament that will be fed to the spinning process.
story of our research
Since 1700
Our grandmothers have preserved ancient hemp from three centuries ago. Hemp is everlasting, as attested by our ancestry through the unintentional experiment of time. This hemp skein from Felino (Parma, Italy), has been passed on since 1750 and is now under Franca Rossi’s custody.
Futura 75
Similarly to food products, the quality of a fabric is determined by the quality of its raw material. Our hemp originates only from Italian and European Futura 75 plants, a modern THC-free hemp cultivar, optimal for textile production. Today, regrettably, European hemp is almost impossible to find on the market.
Why did Hemp disappear?
Before World War II, hemp was a very popular plant. From medicine and food, to fabrics, paper and even cars (with Ford), it was employed in many industries. Starting from the 30s, it gradually disappeared due to the growing competition of synthetic products. Oil-based alternatives were introduced in the paper, chemical and fuel sectors. Tycoons, like Du Pont in the plastic industry and Hearst in the newspaper business, joined their efforts and, with the help of US government official Harry Anslinger, waged a long war on hemp. Thanks to government lobbying and massive disinformation campaigns, they managed to connect hemp to drug use and discredit it in the eyes of the electorate. From the US to Europe, hemp was prohibited, even in its non-psychoactive form. Such irresponsible ban unfortunately still persists today in many countries.
