Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1523540
A Caddy Pocket sits inconspicuously on the back waistband to hold up to two pickleballs. e Flowstate Zip Tee features a so, quick- drying, micro-vented blend to help the body stay cool and self-regulate in long matches. e firm offers "both performance and lifestyle pieces because pickleball culture has become such a large part of people's lives, both on and off the courts," commented the exec. Meanwhile, a tennis dress is one of the standouts from the Nishat x CORDURA NYCO Fabric Capsule Collection. "It's light enough to play tennis in, but also chic enough to wear out to dinner with a super so handfeel that merges the lifestyle aspect with the durability you need," said Jennyka Wassermann, U.S. marketing and development manager for Nishat Mills. e inspiration for the collection were modeling photos of Wassermann's dad from the 1960's bicycling, golfing and playing tennis; now recreated with CORDURA Advanced Fabrics. While historically customers identify CORDURA with heavyweight workwear-type canvas and twills, the new collection uses lighter weight materials. With lighter weights, CORDURA can be applied to athleisure, streetwear and fashion customers. Cindy McNaull, CORDURA Brand Business Development Director, explained that "while comfort through lighter weights, mobility, and soness have each been important in active apparel, trend indicators also suggest that consumers today are putting increasingly more importance on products that are built to last." Channeling Comfort Global manufacturer of activewear and swimwear for lifestyle and performance brands, Active Apparel Group (AAG), works with a plethora of clients including Bandier, Alwrld, Tracksmith and Title Nine. AAG Chief Design Officer Lori Oscher is witnessing the "demarcation in daily life between professional wear and activewear with consumers desiring the same performance attributes from their ready to wear as found in their activewear, including comfort, anti- odor, quick dry and thermoregulation, to name a few," the exec explained. e firm is increasingly focused on supplying comfort enhancements to clients, including anti-chafe seams and hyper evaporation technologies. Oscher said that customers are gravitating to graphene textiles, Askin cooling fabrics and UV-protecting fabrics. When it comes to handfeel, "buttery" seems to be the current buzzword. Free Fly, Lululemon and Vuori are actively promoting super-so, buttery garments. "e psychology of comfortable, 'buttery' fabrics plays a significant role in the popularity of this type of active lifestyle apparel and we need to understand why consumers are increasingly drawn to this," stated Christopher Parkes, 22 • Textile Insight ~ Summer 2024 textileinsight.com Stack Athletics Flowstate Zip Tee Alwrld Alrn Ventilated Back Crop Bra MODERN PERFORMANCE