Milk has long been touted as great for our bones. It’s the base of every dairy product you’ve ever loved. Thanks to a young German designer and biochemist named Anke Domaske, however, it also makes a lovely dress. Qmilch, a combination of quality and the German word for milk, is a fabric that is both eco-friendly and wonderful to the touch. It surpasses the quality of cotton and is said to have a similar sensation to silk, but it’s as easy to wash and dry as everyday wear.

 

 

 

 

The inspiration to create Qmilch came after a long search for fabric that would be safe for those with extremely sensitive skin to wear. As a result of cancer treatment, Domaske’s father suffered severe skin irritation and normal fabrics would only exacerbate the problem. Casein, found in milk and many products that treat skin sensitivity. While milk fibers have been used to create fabrics before, Domaske wanted to create something entirely organic. According to the Associated Press, she did just that:

“After two years of trial and error, working with a research lab, Domaske and her team of six finally landed on a process of reducing milk to a protein powder that is then boiled and pressed into strands that can be woven into a fabric.

The strands, she says, can be spun rougher for a heavier texture, or shiny smooth, to create a soft jersey that drapes and feels like silk.”

Her fabric not only feels fantastic, but only used a fraction of the water it would take to create the equivalent amount of cotton fabric. Although it costs a little more than organic cotton to create, she uses organic milk that would have gone to waste--milk that has failed to meet the very strict German quality standard. Qmilch has a lot of potential to change the fashion industry and beyond. Domaske has already been approached by automobile makers, hotel owners, and those in the medical and hospital industries who want hypoallergenic material for seat covers and beds. This could be a really great way to ease the daily lives of those with skin sensitivity.

To read more, check out the Associated Press’ interview with Domaske and Qmilch’s official website.