Ecofriendly textiles will be the topic of exploration for a talk by Patty Grossman, co-founder of O Ecotextiles, on Oct. 2.

Grossman will deliver a free, public lecture, “Green Textiles: from Conception to Constumption,” at 5 p.m. at the Home Economics Building on UNL’s East Campus.

“The talk will cover from conception to consumption,” said Wendy Weiss, UNL professor of textile design, including sustainability issues concerning both the environment and the laborers who grow the fibers to the textile mills that produce them.

As the CEO of a company that produces fabrics that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable, Grossman raised $1.5 million to produce the first collection of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified interior fabrics. GOTS is a new certification that assures lack of toxicity in the production process and in the fabric final product.

“I think that we are all becoming more and more aware of how vulnerable the planet is,” Weiss said. “Textiles are an important part of our daily life from what we wear, to what we sit on, or what is in our car.”

After three years of research and development, O Ecotextiles’ collection has garnered acclaim, including the House and Garden award for Best Merchandise at the collection’s very first trade show, Decorex, in London in 2007. The 2008 Sundance Film Festival also chose fabrics from the line for its VIP Lounge and the company was also chosen as one of the Top Ten Green Products of 2008 by the oracle of the green building industry, Environmental Building News and Built Green.

In addition to her talk on Oct. 2, Grossman will visit classes with undergraduate and graduate students at UNL. Weiss will also be setting up a meal schedule for faculty and students who would like to join Grossman for lunch or dinner for more informal conversation.

Funding for Grossman’s visit was given in support from the UNL Faculty Senate Convocations Committee. Those interested in meeting with Grossman can contact Weiss via email at wweiss1@unl.edu.