Lenzing launches EcoVero™ - new standard in eco-responsible viscose

Lenzing introduced their EcoVero™ viscose fibres to the global textile and fashion industry at the international Premiere Vision Paris show in September 2017.

Acknowledging that the fashion industry requires more transparency, while consumers today expect responsible retailers and brands to know their supply chains and be able to trace product origins, the Austrian company - Lenzing - a stock exchange-listed cellulose fibres manufacturer - has announced the launch of a new standard brand - EcoVero™  - to set the new benchmark in viscose fibres.

Garments made of Lenzing™ EcoVero™ on show at Premiere Vision Paris in September 2017.

With a special manufacturing system, Lenzing can identify Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres in the final garment, long after the textile processing and conversion steps have been completed.  This ability means that retailers and brands can rest assure that the eco-responsible viscose fibers used in their garments can be verified and authenticated as the original , and not just any generic viscose that might not be in line with their sustainability goals. 

Lenzing CCO, Robert van de Kerkhof said in a press conference held at the Premiere Vision international textile fair held in Paris in September that for too long consumers have been concerned with environmental threats raised in the so-called "dirty fashion" report, and other issues such as marine litter, pollution and waste, growing water scarcity, accelerating climate change have affected consumer confidence.

Lenzing VP of Textile, Amit Gautam, added that value chain transparency is a trend seen not only in the textile industry but also in the food industry.  While consumers' awareness of the environment is increaing, they are more and more interested in the origin of the products they buy.  

Lenzing™ EcoVeroTM fibres set a new industry standard in sustainable viscose based on the use of these sustainable wood sources (FSC® or PEFC® certified) and an ecological production process with significantly lower emissions and water impacts than conventional viscose.

With this special identification technology for Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres, Lenzing provides a one-of-its-kind solution for the fashion industry and its supply chain to respond to consumer demands for reliable visibility of product origins that can be traced back to the fibre, said Lenzing's Gautam.  He said Lenzing enforces strict environmental standards during viscose production and has invested heavily over the years to achieve eco-resposible production processes.  Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres, which are made from wood that comes from sustainable forestry plantations,  are certified with the EU Ecolabel, a world-leading environmental manufacturing standard which is awarded only to products that have a significantly lower net environment impact to comparable products in the market.

Well known retailers are teaming up with Lenzing to advance their sustainability strategies with traceable Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres.

For one Scandinavian retailer, Gina Tricot, Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres are the solution for viscose fibres.   Fashion photos shown here are examples from their current collection.

Gina Tricot's Brand Director Anna Appelqvist (pictured here) said at the Lenzing press conference in Paris, "Supply chain transparency is getting to be for us more and more important as customers want to know which kind of material is used for their garments. 

"As viscose is a very important fibre for our womenswear range, the new identification technology from Lenzing used in EcoVero™ fibres will mean we will have full supply chain transparency and our customers will welcome that and can be assured that they are buying eco-responsible viscose garments", she said adding that they are launching new T-shirts with this special EcoVero fibres this autumn. 

Another retailer from Sweden, Lindex are also considering to take Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres into their collection. "EcoVero™ fibres show concern for the origin of raw material as well as having a reduced environmental impact in the production process. We hope that this initiative will drive the development towards producing more sustainable viscose in the industry", explains Production Sustainability Manager Anna-Karin Dahlberg.

Lenzing's initiative is also supported by the German brand ARMEDANGELS, as its CEO Martin Höfeler had commented that as a radically responsible fashion brand this is a great match for them and they are excited to be working with Lenzing to include EcoVero™ in their future product range.

PREMIÈRE VISION PARIS recorded 7.5% growth in visitor numbers

Fabrics and materials are the building blocks of fashion.  And if apparel fabric fairs that cater to influencers in the business of fashion record healthy attendance, it is a positive sign for the industry, which has been marked by a complex and changing global economic environment.

Giant size balloons covered the ceiling of the main Forum at Première Vision Paris to emulate this season's
theme: Cloud of Fashion.

Thus when organisers of Première Vision Paris has reported that attendance to their September show topped the 60,000 visitors mark, it was welcome news for all in the apparel and fashion trade,

The show encompassing textiles, leather, yarns, fabric design, haberdashery and accessories,  knits finished goods and manufacturing.  demonstrated an attendance growth of +7.5%, against +3% more exhibitors this September.

 The number of exhibitors also grew (+3.0% - i.e. 1,954 exhibitors vs. 1,898 in Sept. 2016), due to the addition of  new areas: The Sourcing Connection and the Bag & Shoe Manufacturing sections.

The number of international buyers, coming from 129 different countries, increased by 8.5%, and accounted for a 73% share of the event's visitors. The top five most represented countries were France (+5%) was followed by Italy (+3%), the UK (+4.7%), Spain (+4.6%) and China. Turkey, with 2,845 visitors, overtook both Germany and the USA, while Japan snatched ninth place from Belgium, with 1,791 visitors.

The organisers headed by Gilles Lasbordes, General Manager of Première Vision (in photo at right), acknowledged that the success of this edition attests to the attractiveness and strength of Première Vision Paris, and to the effectiveness of its transversal and creative positioning. The results confirmed the show's status as a strategic vector of differentiation and growth for the industry, as evidenced by the results of the Première Vision Barometer, prepared by the IFM Première Vision Chair and unveiled at a press conference at the start of the fair.

The organisers' ability to bring focus with a full programme of events, exhibitions, conferences and social activities, including a concert on the first evening for visitors to dance and have fun had created a vibrant atmosphere to the fair.

John Malkovich, centre, with members of the PV Awards jury and the winners on the day of prize presentation duringn
the September edition of Première Vision Paris.

One of the key highlights of the September edition of Première Vision Paris was the ceremony for the annual PV Awards, whose jury was headed this year by an international star, the actor-director turned designer John Malkovich.

Gilles Lasbordes, General Manager of Première Vision, also announced the launch in 2018 of the Première Vision marketplace for upstream trade shows specialising in the creative fashion sector, a virtual extension of the event's various different sessions, initially offering access to exhibitor samples. 

Recognising the fact that in an ever more connected and technological world, Première Vision saw the need to position itself to meet future market developments.

"This is a project of a highly technological nature and we want to take advantage of the best solutions on the market, thus we will be using technologies developed buy MIRAKL, the leading French publisher of marketplaces which have conquered the B to C markets by integrating e-commerce sites. This technology offers new business opportunities to professional markets as well," said M. Lasbordes.

The next edition of Première Vision Paris is scheduled on 13th-15th February 2018.
In the mean time, the following events by the show organisers will take place:- Première Vision Istanbul on 18th-20th October, Denim Première Vision in Paris on 14th-15th November, and Première Vision New York on 16th-17th January 2018.

All photos © Lucia Carpio 2017 .

Tunisia is country of honour at Première Vision Paris this September

For the first time, Première Vision Paris - the trade fair for the international fashion and design businesses - is organizing a COUNTRY FOCUS to showcase a country in a dedicated space. Tunisia has been chosen to inaugurate this new development, which will now be held at each September session, according to organisers.

The design and outfitting of this 100m2 space for expression at the Première Vision Manufacturing section of PV has been entrusted to the organizers of the Tunis Fashion Week which has in recent years sought to support the emergence of a cultural avant-garde by staging designer fashion shows and promoting the country's artistic scene.

Read in full, click HERE.

Colour trend for Spring/Summer 2018 - positivity infused with optimism

It is not easy to predict what the future will bring, but with the state of world affairs as they are, it is encouraging to learn that come Spring/Summer 2018, it will be a more positive global season infused with lots of optimistic colours, according to textile trends predicted at the just concluded Premiere Vision Paris trade fair which took place 7 - 9 February at the Parc des Expositions exhibition centre in Villepinte, north Paris.

It is an obvious study in simplicity, venturing optimistically between real and unreal sensibilities, with creative playfulness, interacting tones to enhance our everyday life.

Yellows and greens (turquoise, acid green, shadowy green), being bright and tasty are prominent, while equally key are the blues, especially a lilac colour called Heady Mauve.

Along with divine blues are real dark brown. pigmented water, aqua minerals, vitamins, bright shades, orangey reds, pinks, digital colours, stimulating, timeless, interesting when combined with neutrals.

Key colours.
For Womenswear Harmonies:-
1, Urban Primitive
Semi-floral, semi neon, weaves, jacquards
Strong focus on ultra bright shades, technical accents, trimmings in fuchsia
2, Icy Acids
Heavy mauve and cold tones, icy tones, aqua mineal
3, Floral Vibrations
Duos, bright duo combinations, embroidery, laces in a fresh spirit
Key:
Heady Mauve

Menswear:-
Shifting towards feminine influences, lighter, fresher approach.
Harmonies:-
1, Asphalt Flowers
Moving away from cold shades, khaki, dark brown replacing navy
Winter reds, pinks, esp. for shirts and polo's
2, Plant-like
Light colour ranges, Neutral softness
Flowery, neutral, bright tones and weaves, vegetal
3, Tonal Fantasy
Fantasy tone on tone, solid turquoise, artificial, cold coral for warm shades,
4, Black Asphalt and Red

All images © Lucia Carpio 2017

Wearable textile technologies on show at major trade fairs this February

As the popularity of our well-being and the importance of sports continue to infiltrate our daily life, it has given textile and fibre technology producers the impetus to continue to research and develop new techno-infused qualities.  Such new developments have provided new avenues of enriched offerings for global fashion and sportswear brands to meet the growing demand of well-being-minded consumers.

At major trade fairs in February including Premiere Vision Paris and ISPO Munich, Swiss company Schoeller Textil AG will present a development in the field of wearable textile technologies: a durable, heatable  e-soft-shell material which can be flexibly cut to size. 

This new laminate is structured like a conventional soft-shell with corkshell™ technology and can be produced for sale by the meter. The incorporated textile electronics permit consistent heat distribution and are functional at common voltages. Furthermore, the material can be dyed and washed. The vision for the future of the e-soft-shell material includes washable electrical contacting, smart batteries and sensor technology that operates by smartphone. A prototype vest in the new e-soft-shell fabric (see picture left) will be shown at the respective trade fairs to potential customers.

An additional e-textile project:Together with the companies KJUS and Osmotex, as well as the EMPA Institute, Schoeller is also working on an electro-osmotic membrane for use in outerwear. The aim is to ensure a pleasant microclimate in the face of fluctuating external temperatures and exercise level. 

Premiere Vision Leather to focus on premium sector in the February 2017 fair

As international fashion labels continue to feature leather products, clothing and accessories as part of their key strategies to gain market share, the specialised trade fair Première Vision Leather will maintain its key role under the Premiere Vision Paris umbrella, due to take place from February 7 - 8 2017.

In this forthcoming edition, Premiere Vision Leather  will offer a rich range of products firmly focused on the premium sector, while continuing to strengthen its synergies with the five other sections of the PV Paris group of shows covering Yarns, Fabrics, Designs, Accessories and Manufacturing.

To read in full the latest news on Premiere Vision Leather, click HERE.

Photos above: © Lucia Carpio, Premiere Vision Leather.

New area - Wearable Lab - launching at Premiere Vision Paris in February

The February 2017 edition of Premiere Vision Paris, the prestigious trade fair for professionals in the textile and fashion industries, will be launching a new section called Wearable Lab - an area dedicated to exploring creative developments interlinking fashion and technology.

Innovation and technology among the highlights of Premiere Vision Paris.
Picture above:© Lucia Carpio. - February 2016 PV Paris 

The programme features participation of leaders in the fashion and technology field from around the world, an exhibition of experimental works from the fashion-tech scene and presentations on related topics.

Photo above: © Lucia Carpio, Premiere Vision Paris September 2016.

Besides the new Wearable Lab area, Premiere Vision Paris will continue to offer the industries' best and most innovative developments featured under specialised industry segments, from fabrics and yarns to leather, accessories, garment manufacturing and textile designs.

During the three-day trade show which will take place between February 7 and 9 at the Parc des Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte, the focus will be primarily on the Spring/Summer 2018 season.  Among notable events will be a series of special programmes including a showcase in the Fashiontech area for 10 experimental works that exemplify fast-moving developments  over the past 10 years. There will be a conference entitled "Fashiontech future – scene or utopia?", highlighting the issues concerning fashion and technology such as trends, market factors and materials.  In the Leather section, a range of Smart Creation roundtable discussions among experts and professionals will take place to examine the opportunities for a more responsible leather industry and the issues concerning those committed to creativity and sustainability.