Report: Hemp: Nature in Clothing
The online event “Hemp: Nature in Clothing” took place on 15 April 2026 via Zoom and brought together participants interested in sustainable fashion, natural materials, and small-scale textile production. The session was led by Lucija Dej Kresnica, founder of the Slovenian brand LuNi, who shared her experience of creating hand-sewn garments from hemp and other natural fabrics.
Lucija presented her creative journey, from living in close connection with nature to developing her own clothing practice rooted in traditional craftsmanship. She walked participants through the process of working with hemp – from raw fibre to finished garment – and reflected on the challenges of working with natural materials, small production series, and maintaining quality over speed.
Participants and Demographics
The Zoom event was attended by 20 participants. The audience was diverse, including individuals from across Slovenia, retirees interested in traditional crafts, and practitioners of natural building and permaculture.
Key Learnings and Highlights
- The Problem of Fast Fashion: Lucija highlighted that the textile industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, producing over 92 million tons of waste annually.
- Hemp as the “Queen of Plants”: Hemp was presented as a superior material that regulates body temperature, is UV-resistant, antibacterial, and biodegradable.
- Low Environmental Footprint: Unlike cotton, hemp requires significantly less water and no pesticides.
- Craftsmanship: Lucija demonstrated the process of turning hemp stalks into fiber and showcased various finished products, including jackets, baby clothes, and custom-made trousers.
A key highlight of the event was the focus on clothing as a long-term relationship rather than a short-term product. The session encouraged a more critical and reflective view on consumption and design.
Participant Feedback
Feedback from participants highlighted appreciation for the authenticity of the talk and the concrete, experience-based knowledge shared. Some noted that the presentation offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at small-scale textile production, including limitations, time investment, and material constraints.
Attendees responded enthusiastically, with several requesting to purchase fabric or custom-made items. One participant noted that such high-quality, custom-fit hemp clothing is nearly impossible to find in standard retail.
Impact on CoP Development and Next Steps
The event strengthened the Community of Practice by linking local artisans with sustainability enthusiasts and providing a platform for knowledge sharing. With this event we gathered 93 new email addresses of people that applied for the event and became part of our CoP.
Follow-up Activities:
- Live Event: A follow-up gathering will be held this Friday at the “Krater” space in Ljubljana, where Lucija and other practitioners will showcase low-tech tools and materials in person.
- Contact Sharing: Lucija’s contact information will be distributed to all participants to facilitate future collaborations and custom orders.
