Invista introduces new high-performance denim

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Nov 2, 2015

Invista, the owner of fabric innovations like Coolmax, Cordura, Thermolite and Lycra, announced Monday the introduction of its new high-performance knit denim fabric. The fabric debuted at the Kingpins Denim Show in Amsterdam, and marks the first time that the Lycra Sport brand is being extended into denim.

Under the Lycra Hybrid technology, the new knit denim fabric combines the comfort and flexibility of a knit fabric with the performance of a woven fabric. The Lycra Hybrid fabrics have been segmented into three categories: Level 1, which offers everyday denim fabrics; Level 2 that offers Invista’s shaping technology standards; and Level 3 that meets Invista’s athleisure standards.

“What distinguishes this technology from existing knit denim is that the Lycra Hybrid fabrics integrate a true denim look and feel with low growth, low shrinkage and multi directional stretch,” said Jean Hegedus, Invista’s global director for denim. “Additionally, the fabrics can be engineered for use in a range of different garment types, each serving different consumer needs.”

Invista began working on the new technology under a confidentiality agreement with Advance Denim of China, Knitdigo of Taiwan, Santanderina of Spain, and Willy Hermann of Austria. The companies began working on the performance denim technology after noticing an interest in performance fabrics in the denim space.

“We have been able to achieve fabrics with over 100% stretch in one direction and more than 50% in the other, with less than 5% growth,” said Tianyi Liao, research fellow at INVISTA and inventor of the technology. Hegedus added, “We’re very excited about the integration of Lycra Sport fabrics into the denim market space. Our testing helps identify the right level of stretch, recovery, and force to ensure comfort, freedom of movement, and performance in an active inspired garment.”

The new performance fabric could be the denim industry’s answer to the athleisure movement. It was reported in July that jeans sales were relatively flat in 2014 due to consumer’s increased interest in athleisure apparel. Skinny jeans sales increased for men, but have declined for women who prefer buying yoga pants instead of jeans.

Though denim remains a multi-billion dollar business, it has decreased from $7 billion in 1996 to under $5 billion in 2014, according to Bloomberg.

The Kingpins Denim Show is taking place in New York City on November 3 and 4 at Basketball City on 299 South Street.