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TEXTILE TALK | EMILY WALZER The pace of disruption has only hastened." That's how Robert Iger, Disney's chief executive and chairman, explained how shifts in viewing habits led to his company's decision to buy most of 21st Century Fox. But Iger's comment certainly rings true beyond media acquisitions, as textile execs interviewed for stories in this issue of the magazine readily attest. The shift to online, and direct-to-consumer brand models; the shift away from pre-season to an "ASAP" approach; and shift to sourcing strategies defined by "local for local" and "regional manufacturing," are just a few factors influencing the direction of today's marketplace. Add to that policy issues around NAFTA, tax reform and geo-political concerns and these are windy days for change. As we accelerate into the New Year, we will all be learning to keep pace with this new normal. "We definitely feel it, experience it, and respond to it," says Lisa Owen, senior director, Global Textiles Business, Microban. "Speed to market has significant effect on all active/outdoor brands." One area that I believe is being affected by our rush-to-market mentality is performance. Talk to any textile exec about innovation, and you'll learn that to introduce something truly new takes time. Research and development alone can take years, plus the required testing, wear-trials and the need to meet sustainability certifications, it can be a long slog to the finish line of commercialization. A hurry-up mode of market introduction has not historically been the natural rhythm of innovation. Before I come off sounding like someone who always starts a sentence advocating "this is how it has always been done," I don't think pushing the pace of performance innovation is necessarily bad. But I am left to wonder if this may be why we are seeing momentum to lifestyle product, where just enough functionality is a fine fit. Perhaps it's time to not only re-think sourcing and manufacturing decisions but also our perception of performance. During the holidays I had tickets to see a show by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a modern dance company based in New York City. It was a captivating two hours of acts set to different types of music featuring an amazingly talented cast. Being a fan of jazz, I enjoyed the dances accompanied by an Ella Fitzgerald medley and another set to music by John Coltrane. The troupe's revered Revelations holiday special brought a standing ovation. However, my favorite that afternoon at City Center was the super-high energy, futuristic hip-hop performance. My takeaway as it relates to our textile community: opening our eyes to what is relevant today, when it comes to how we define performance, may in fact not only surprise us, but also delight. O Cheers, Emily Fast Times 4 • Textile Insight ~ January/February 2018 Talk to any textile exec about innovation, and you'll learn that to introduce something truly new takes time. 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 MOVING INTO A NEW ERA We're now four decades in, and we're still working tirelessly alongside leading mills to source, develop, and produce the latest textile innovations for the world's favorite brands. And it's only through this continued dedication to our customers that we've helped define new eras for the outdoor industry. GLOBALLY TRUSTED CUSTOMER FOCUSED FAMILY OWNED www.conceptiii.com