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Editor/Associate Publisher Emily Walzer emilyawalzer@gmail.com Editorial Director Cara Griffin Art Director Francis Klaess Contributing Editors Suzanne Blecher Kurt Gray Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Kathlyn Swantko Publisher Jeff Nott jnott@formula4media.com 516-305-4711 Production Brandon Christie bchristie@formula4media.com 516-305-4710 Advertising Katie O'Donohue kodonohue@formula4media.com 828-244-3043 Sam Selvaggio sselvaggio@formula4media.com 212-398-5021 Subscriptions: store.formula4media.com One year: $24.00 (in the United States) Formula4Media ® Formula4 Media Publications Footwear Insight Footwear Insight Extra Outdoor Insight Team Insight Team Insight Extra Textile Insight Textile Insight Extra Trend Insight sportstyle PO Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023 Phone: 516-305-4709 www.formula4media.com Textile Insight ® is a registered trademark of Formula4 Media, LLC. ©2021 All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to Textile Insight are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. Textile Insight is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in Textile Insight may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. Textile Insight is published bi-monthly: Jan/Feb; Mar/Apr; May/Jun; Jul/Aug; Sep/Oct; and Nov/Dec. Postmaster: Send address changes to Textile Insight, P.O. Box 23-1318 Great Neck, NY 11023 textileinsight.com TEXTILE INSIGHT ® JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 In the Studio ...................................................6 Demand for highly-functional eco-alternatives along with wider acceptance of biotech offerings is opening the door to intriguing textile developments. We highlight top picks for sustainable performance. In the Market ..................................................8 Takeaways from Performance Days Digital Fair and OR Winter Online; Advances in textile-to-textile recycling; Regenerative wool scales up; and Helly Hansen's newest mono material looks. Voices ..........................................................14 Virginia Postrel's new book "The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World" outlines how textiles shape our existence. In our Q&A with the author Postrel brings to light what the past can tell us about functional fabrics today. Technology ...................................................16 As industry and consumer interest in biodegradability and recycling grows, so, too, does the level of confusion. An expert panel discussion provides some clarity on the hot topic of circularity. Strategies .....................................................22 With hopes of better times ahead in 2021, brands are broadening their horizons. Contributing editor Suzanne Blecher features five ways that brands are diversifying strategies and collections to stay dominant. Trend Insight Survey .....................................26 This installment of Trend Insight Consumer delivers research on purchasing decisions by active outdoorists with feedback conducted on MESH01's Insight Platform. Footwear ......................................................28 Lightweight tech and women's specific designs are leading trends to watch in 2021, according to brand execs we talked to about what's new and what's next in the boot category. Supply Chain ................................................30 According to recent statistics, 80 percent of ocean plastics originate from coastal regions. We profile three companies supporting strategic coastline plastic capture and recycling efforts to stop the flow. Education .....................................................32 Kathy Swantko explains how Saarland University and M.I.T. are creating smart textiles faster while making sense of PolySense technology. Out of Context ..............................................34 Kurt Gray believes the current participant surge provides an opportunity for outdoor to change a hyper-technical legacy. January/February 2021 ~ Textile Insight • 3 Municipal Ninja Lined Training Shorts COVER STORY: TEXTILES 2021..................18 AGE 23 Fabrics that easily transition from "screen to outdoor" are emerging as a key component of current offerings as suppliers debut collections that appeal to a new era of enthusiast and a platform of performance for all.