sportstyle

12 • September/October 2024 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com DESIGN / TRENDS designated for the great outdoors. A new breed of street style is emerging for fashion and street, with a pull from a pool of performance ingredients. We are all too aware of the traditional functions of water repellency, windproofing, membrane technology, recycled synthetics and bio-based developments. But take it one step further: Deliver to today's consumer a street style that easily transcends to the ski slopes. is isn't just a sustainable merit—buy better, buy less—it also offers multifaceted apparel for more efficient use to today's consumer. Embracing sustainability in our designs is not just a trend; it's a responsibility and a step towards a more efficient future. Denim has been ubiquitous on the streets for decades. At ISPO Textrends, since the launch of the Street Sports sector, there has been a steady progression of performance denim, shiing from the traditional 100% cotton to innovative blends. High-tenacity Cordura leads the way for tough and resilient denim with a so hand, with Lycra and Creora developing spandex products specific to the denim market for fit and flexibility. Bio- based synthetics and new naturals create interesting compositions and surface effects. Denim with durable water repellency (DWR) treatment and mechanical water repellency, eliminating the need for a chemical finish, is emerging. e authentic twill appearance of denim continues to feature, but it isn't just for wovens. Knit manufacturers mimic the 3/1 structure to create warp knits and French Terry with built-in performance, from anti-odor to quick drying. Design inspiration was abundant at the SPOT24 Olympic exhibition and it has taken us in a gritty, yet graphic direction that is perfect for the performance sector. Ingredients can pursue the sustainable route, but can take a more aggressive approach to surface effects. Water-free print and dyeing are par for the course, applied on outer shells, taking traditional multifunctional protection to dizzying new heights with expressive designs. Urban communication and expression can also be easily applied through trims, such as heat transfers and labels take on a sketch-like appearance and freestyle approach. Black dominates, keeping it gritty and practical, but that doesn't mean we need to be void of color. It is there, worked in with innovative, grungy effects through clever dope-dyed yarn combinations, working black with contrasting bright tones and getting a dirty and aged appearance. Urban performance wear carries an abundance of inspiration from around the globe. As consumers look for efficiency in their investment pieces, this sector is ripe for expansion. It also encourages traditional performance fabric suppliers to up the creative level, delivering solid and sustainable products and high-level functionality for apparel that stands out on the street. e versatility of urban performance wear is truly exciting, with endless possibilities for innovation and creativity. n Sneaker style on display at SPOT24 in Paris. A subway car provides an immersive experience.

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