A timeless fiber makes a bold return to contemporary interiors
At Edida 2025, the Japanese edition of Elle Décor nominated a homegrown company for its bold reintroduction of hemp in bedding. Meanwhile, design and architecture studio Atra embraced hemp fabrics in their outdoor furniture line. At international fairs in Cologne and Frankfurt, hemp-based textiles made their presence known, and in Bruges, the FLAX dna exhibition placed hemp side by side with flax—its more familiar sibling.
One thing is clear: hemp is back.
Often dubbed the forgotten fiber, hemp is experiencing a powerful resurgence in the world of interior textiles. While designers are drawn to its aesthetic appeal, the fiber’s rise is driven by more than looks—its comeback aligns with deeper shifts in how we think about materials, homes, and sustainability.
A Revival Rooted in History and Policy
Historically, hemp was indispensable in textiles and rope making. But the 20th century saw a sharp decline in hemp cultivation due to sweeping bans on cannabis—including its non-psychoactive variant. From the 1920s through the 1970s, international drug policies failed to distinguish between industrial hemp and psychoactive cannabis, leading to its suppression. It wasn’t until late 20th-century policy reforms that hemp could legally re-enter global markets.
Now, as the boundaries between design and sustainability continue to blur, hemp is reclaiming its place—ethically, aesthetically, and functionally.
