The damage that textile production causes to the environment has been a bone of contention for environmentalists. Pollutants from textile production (zinc, sulphides or copper salts) are non bio-degradable. But now, a French fashion designer, Olivier Lapidus, is all set to launch a collection of clothes made from eco-friendly fibres extracted from flowers, fruits, cereals, vegetables and algae. Lapidus has already signed a contract with a French champagne producer to use their grape residue to manufacture fibres for his textiles. Another project under discussion is the production of swimwear and towels made of algae for seawater therapy centres in France.