Textile Insight

IN THE MARKET | OR + SNOW SHOW PREVIEW Comfort for the Cold 6 • Textile Insight ~ January/February 2018 textileinsight.com Eco-Conscious, Lightweight Warmth Elevates F/W 18 Offerings. co-advances, new partner- ships and fabrics that practically ooze comfort are all talking points for F/W '18. However, when all is said and done, people still count on textile suppliers to deliver enhanced performance. Taking functionality up a notch not only adds excitement to the marketplace, but textile wizardry is what sets authentic outdoor apart from the lifestyle and fashion brands crossing over into the active space. "We are looked at to see what else we can do to make a better product. How we can we elevate performance and help our brand partners make experiences even better for the consumer," says Stephen Kerns, president, Schoeller USA. Lightweight warmth constructed from syn- thetics as well as natural fibers has never been better, and new variations range from base layer to outerwear. This trend extends to using materi- als not thought of as traditional outdoor, such as denims and even wearables that are being tapped for Fall collections. The mantra of "finer, softer, lighter" of recent seasons is now accompanied by "ecological and ethically made." Look for new bio-based options for finishes and fills to play a role in the season ahead. These days, however, it's not enough to be simply eco-friendly; increasingly it's about the how, and with whom, a company collaborates that holds sway. Partnerships continue to grow and diversify as textile execs find value in creating new brand relationships that afford a broader audience and year-round offerings. The Cordura collab with Converse, the Chemours partnership with Colmar skiwear, and PrimaLoft expands launches with life- style brands Aritzia, Tommy Hilfiger and Pashko, all serve as good examples of this trend. Here's a quick look at highlights for Fall '18: Chemours: Kicks off its "Teflon Re-Imagined" cam- paign that features bluesign-approved Teflon EcoElite manufactured with 60 percent renewably sourced raw material. A highlight of this brand refresh effort is a partnership with skiwear pioneer Colmar, a company looking to advance the garment industry with eco-conscious repellents. Concept III: Focuses on a commitment to sustainability, through partnerships with blue- sign-approved, and compliance-ready suppliers, impressing upon mill partners to effort respon- sibility throughout the supply chain. Also strong attention on AMBT Merino wool and wool blends particularly those with Tencel and Modal. High performance laminates are key, as is recognizing new interest in Sherpa fabrics from Monterey Mills. Cordura: Highlights three launches: A new denim collection from Mountain Hardwear, combining versatility and functionality for climbers without sacrificing an authentic look and feel; An urban bag and pack collaboration with Converse that brings durability to stylish transit essentials; and a first- of-its-kind adoption from Crye Precision related to company's high-tenacity Invista T420HT fiber and Cordura NYCO fabric technology. Gore Fabrics: Spotlights its new Gore-Tex Infinium brand that represents products designed for all- round outdoor performance, beyond waterproof/ breathable protection. Four new product tech- nologies include: Infinium Thermium Footwear; Infinium Stretch Gloves; Infinium Soft-Lined Shells; and Infinium Insulated Garments. Klingler Asia: Previews many new knit items includ- ing brushed finishes, bonded qualities and 3-layer options in addition to a group of quilted looks, primarily double-knit jacquards with a nonwo- ven fill. Flannels are also featured with recycled yarns, cotton blends, and mechanical stretch. New lightweight stretch fabrics will debut for insulated outerwear. PrimaLoft: Expands brand partner adoptions of its Black Insulation ThermoPlume technology to enhance the performance characteristics of non-performance pieces, as well as adding style components to high-performance products. New adoptions include: Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armor, Frank & Oak, Bernardo, Lands' End, Aritzia, New Balance. PrimaLoft's new series of Performance Fabrics and Yarn technologies results in more year-round product applications. Brands launching with F18 product include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Athleta, Isbjorn, Black Diamond, Brooks Brothers. Schoeller: Continues its focus on sustainable textiles and technologies utilizing Bio PFC-free technologies and products that feature Nilit thermal heat from coffee charcoal. The company's heatable E-soft-shell is another highlight. Styles from brand partners including Red Bull, Erin Snow, Stio, Merrell, Black Diamond, Mission Workshop and Thunderbolt will also be featured in the booth. Sorona: Debuts creative collaborations, including a partnership between Cordura/Susterra to create the next generation of eco-efficient textile solutions, in addition to new flannel and wool/Sorona blends. O Top: A spec garment from Gore's new Gore- Tex Infinium brand of soft- lined fabrics. Below: PrimaLoft ThermoPlume insulation; Schoeller taps Nilit's thermal heat tech using coffee charcoal.

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