Chemical success on the catwalk

Chemistry is probably the last thing that springs to mind when the models strut down the catwalk dressed in the most fantastic creations. Despite this, chemical progress largely controls what we wear. Throughout our clothing history, the fashion world has been reliant on new, exciting materials. At the end of the 17th century a new fashion emerged – hats of all types. Yes, there had been hats before this, but it was first with a new, chemical method of producing felt that prices fell and hats became accessible to all. Most natural fibres, including wool, have small hooks that keep the fibres together. When the wool is wetted and rubbed, the fibres attach to one another and create a compact layer of felt.