A strong, coarse fiber obtained from the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa), traditionally used for rope and canvas but increasingly popular in sustainable fashion.
From Old English 'hænep', related to Greek 'kannabis'. Hemp has been cultivated for over 10,000 years, with evidence of hemp textiles found in ancient Mesopotamia and China.
Hemp was so crucial to naval power that Henry VIII mandated English farmers grow it for ship rigging! Today's fashion hemp undergoes special processing to create surprisingly soft fabrics that get softer with each wash, completely transforming its rough historical reputation.
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