Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1004216
TEXTILE TALK | EMILY WALZER e cover a lot of ground in this issue of Textile Insight. Not only do we track the latest movement in the adventure travel market but we also follow what's trending for Spring '19 in terms of new product development, recent capital investments, seasonal footwear favorites at outdoor specialty and how all of this — and more —relate to what is happening in the world of high-tech functional fabrics. Whew! Let me highlight a few takeaways from our journey around the marketplace: First off, performance is everywhere; there is not a category of product or an emerging production method that is not infusing technology to enhance the user experience in some manner of speaking. This was evident in the aisles of the TexProcess in Atlanta this Spring where automation stole the show, and equally front and center at the WEAR conference in NYC where the phrase "Internet of Clothing" signaled the direction of e-textiles. See our coverage of these trade gatherings on pages 12 and 16. Next up: Sustainability is at the root of innovation. Or as I like to say, the root of the root; in today's business climate, eco-awareness is the source for future growth. Starting with the raw materials, an eco-first outlook continues to thrive throughout the industry from active/ outdoor to denim to innovation hubs to incubators to university research projects to B Corp business models. Reading the following pages, give thought to the number of times sustainability is mentioned and email me your tally. I'll give you extra credit for your effort with a shout out in our September issue of the magazine. Third: In the last few years I have had a front row seat watching how millennials make travel a lifestyle. I'm intrigued by how savvy these young adults are about using reward points and mobile tech to navigate global hopscotching. These days, travelers of all stripes are taking advantage of goods designed specifically for active adventures. Textiles play a big role in this trend — including materials used in transit. Our report on this topic starts on page 32. I also encourage you to read Debra Cobb's technology article on page 44 to learn how technical fabrics are changing transportation. Long ago I was an avid 20-something traveler much like my 27 year-old daughter is now. For three summers in a row I quit my job, emptied my piggy bank and hit the road. I biked through Europe, hitchhiked in Africa and maneuvered the Welsh countryside in a rental car with a stick shift. Travel in those days was cheap and safe and I had a blast. I also managed to find my way from continent to continent and back home again without a smart phone in my pocket. Imagine that! Cheers, Emily Emily Trends Driving the Road Ahead These days, travelers of all stripes are taking advantage of goods designed specifically for active adventures. Textiles play a big role in this trend — including materials used in transit. W CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY T e x t i l e - B a s e d P r o d u c t S o l u t i o n s TEXTILES THAT MAKE THE GREAT OUTDOORS FEEL GREATER. For four decades, we've sourced and developed the world's best fabric-based innovations. Why? It's simple. To enhance the comfort and performance of the outdoor industry's best gear. When you look to Concept III for innovative textiles, you'll definitely feel the difference. www.conceptiii.com 4 • Textile Insight ~ July/August 2018 textileinsight.com