Textile Insight - September, 2009
Pushing an Open Door
Turbulence in the Leather Market Caused by Greenpeace Amazon Report
Getting a proper definition for sustainable has always been hard. It is one of those weasel words used in advertising to bestow a good feeling about a product. For the most part the world’s tanners have enjoyed being able to argue that their product ...
Refined Message, Tweaked Technology
The economy influences everything from collections to catch-phrases.
There was a sense of things being “on hold” at the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake. Despite the usual catchy marketing initiatives and enhanced textile functionalities announced, an overall feeling of waiting for the tide to turn ...
Textile Protection Lab
Tests High-Profile Next-Generation Fire Fighting Apparel
A new role for the traditional fire fighter is unfolding. In a post-9/11 world, with the threat of chemical attacks and pandemics like the H1N1 flu virus, there is a need for the next generation of personal protective equipment for first responders....
The Amazing Race
Fabric Technology Controversy in the World of Competitive Swimming
We're used to having athletic brands use major sporting events to debut new technologies dreamed up to enhance the way athletes can perform. From skin tight, aerodynamic track and field outfits to moisture wicking, temperature regulating World Cu...
Rethinking Technical Textiles
For those of us who grew up in apparel textiles, what we then called “industrial fabrics” really didn’t seem exciting. But since 1980 the world of technical fabrics has changed at a dizzying pace. Developments such as phase-change materials, nanotech...
Revival for Survival
Bringing New York City’s Garment District Back to Life
With the return of a Made in America philosophy, Manhattan’s Garment Center is reinventing itself as a design destination. Not since the need for soldiers’ uniforms during the Civil War and the ready-made clothing trend of the 1870s has there been as...
Searching for Sustainable Fibers?
You’ll Find Eco-Answers Aplenty in Seattle This October
To create sustainable garments ideally you start with sustainable fibers. However, this is more easily said than done due to complicated supply chains that can be difficult to navigate. So, how can product developers and designers make informed decis...
Taking a Bite Out of Buggy Terrains
Insect Shield Extends Protection from the Sub-Sahara to Suburbia
In this season of lackluster sales, identifying growth opportunities is high on most corporate to-do lists, with active/outdoor companies in particular looking to find traction in new terrains. One company, however, has ridden the choppy economic tid...
Trendsetter: Tim Hamilton
Purveyor of fabulous frocks and tailored treats, Tim Hamilton’s talents heralded him the 2009 CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear. With a rather simple palate, his future looks black, white and a tad bit gray.
First Feats: Hamilton landed in New York City in 1993, yearning to either study fashion or acting. “Fashion was more willing to accept me,” he says. His first gig was at RRL, where he moved from retail sales to intern to assistant designer and design...
Lindsey Schuyler Wins Design Competition
Project OR Judges Pick Student from Florida State University
Although a casual hiker and an experienced designer, Lindsey Schuyler nonetheless found a few things surprising at the recent Project OR competition. Like the lack of buttons on garments! And, how easy high-tech materials can in fact be to use. Not ...
What’s Old Is New — Or Is It?
When I started writing about performance fabrics (back about 100 years ago) for a now-defunct business publication (so it goes) products considered innovative at the time were often described as “durable.” I’ve been reminded of this because just abou...
Insight on What’s Next
From Design to Dollars
Last month we took our roundtable discussion series on the road to Salt Lake City hosting an event during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. This ongoing discussion series is designed specifically to focus on important issues of tomorrow in a roundt...
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