Textile Insight

MAY/JUNE 2021 In the Studio .............................................................6 Ergonomics is being employed to advance fit and function of active/outdoor sportswear, with designers taking a physio- focused outlook on innovation. Company News ..................................................... 10 Our industry round-up includes YKK's new digital showroom; 3M's debut of Thinsulate Xerogel Insulation for textiles; and new sales directors for Schoeller in North America. Made in America ................................................... 11 Sara Beatty, SVP, National Council of Textile Organizations, offers data and key takeaways on outputs, exports and industry trends in her "Washington Update." Circularity .............................................................. 12 New thinking on circularity advocates that everybody needs to get on board with sustainability in a big way, from individuals and industry to government. Eco Update ............................................................ 14 Latest developments include Tecnica's recycling ski boot program and new alliances formed by PrimaLoft and by The Lycra Company for material advancement. Technology ............................................................ 24 Improvements are ongoing, however, mainstream acceptance of smart textiles has lagged. Textile execs explain current challenges, and future opportunities. Supply Chain.......................................................... 26 Obstacles highlighted during Covid, have brands investing deeply in a smaller number of suppliers, yet asking partners to bring more to the table. Footwear ................................................................ 28 Climate conscious shoe brands are increasingly trying on natural and recyclable materials to create lifestyle footwear that goes the distance sustainably and aesthetically. Education ............................................................... 31 Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are designing sustainable textiles from polyethylene (PE) fibers to give shopping bags and wrappings a new life. Trend Insight Survey......................32 This installment of Trend Insight Consumer delivers research on purchasing decisions by active outdoorists with feedback conducted on MESH 01's Insight Platform. Out of Context ....................................................... 34 Kurt Gray responds to a "Reshoring the Sewn Goods Industry" article in a Colorado internet business magazine and outlines his view from the trenches. May/June 2021 ~ Textile Insight • 3 COVER STORY: THE WAY WE MOVE NOW The pandemic ushered in new ways to stay fit and new ways to approach material functionality with an emphasis on comfort, versatility and eco attributes. Page 18 Quiksilver Made Better collection organic cotton. TEXTILE INSIGHT ® Editor/Associate Publisher Emily Walzer emilyawalzer@gmail.com Editorial Director Cara Griffin Contributing Editors Suzanne Blecher Kurt Gray Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Kathlyn Swantko Art Director Francis Klaess Production / Digital Brandon Christie bchristie@formula4media.com Publisher Jeff Nott jnott@formula4media.com 516-305-4711 Advertising Katie O'Donohue kodonohue@formula4media.com 828-244-3043 Sam Selvaggio sselvaggio@formula4media.com 212-398-5021 Formula4Media ® PO Box 23-1318 Great Neck, NY 11023 www.formula4media.com Footwear Insight Footwear Insight Extra Outdoor Insight sportstyle Team Insight Team Insight Extra Textile Insight Textile Insight Extra Trend Insight Subscriptions: store.formula4media.com One year: $24.0 0 (in the United States) 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; Nov/Dec. Postmaster: Send address changes to Textile Insight, P.O. Box 23-1318 Great Neck, NY 11023

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