Application Innovation Collection Showcases Flexibility of TENCEL™ Fibers
Experimentation is key to advancing fabric and fiber technologies. This year, TENCEL™ Denim Team collaborated with some of their key denim suppliers to execute fiber application concepts toward the market. The Application Innovation Collection was born so it could be showcased and presented to global brands.
We caught up with Dennis Hui, global business development manager, denim at Lenzing Hong Kong, for an overview of the line.
Carved in Blue: What’s the main message/theme of this version of the Application Innovation Collection (AIC)?
Dennis: The TENCEL™ Denim team continues to have discussions with the supply chain partners from mills to brands. We would like to deliver new ideas, innovations and concepts throughout fiber applications. This year, we worked with 11 mill partners globally, including Artistic Milliners, Advance Denim, Soorty, Kaihara Denim, Prosperity, NDL and more, for 35 articles with TENCEL™ fiber applications from top to bottom garment styles. Versatility is one of the messages we would like to deliver to the customer. Various denim applications are suitable with TENCEL™ fiber blends. You may achieve the unexpected hand feel and appearance with TENCEL™ blend denim applications.
Carved in Blue: What’s the trend or direction for colors and washes?
Dennis: Denim is nowadays an essential lifestyle wearing for everyone. You may wear jeans or a denim jacket in different occasions. Authentic looks are still the key trend and style dominating the market. Wide-leg pants and broadshirt outfits with a smart clean look and simple washes are matching the needs of customers. TENCEL™-blended denim enhances the smooth and soft hand feel, and provides a comfortable feeling. It’s simple but the best.
Carved in Blue: Are there any sustainable or circular messages embedded in this collection?
Dennis: Sustainable is an essential element for all industries, not only textiles. TENCEL™ fibers are 100 percent biodegradable and are a good partner of any fiber blending application. Our TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology fibers provide a better choice for denim articles that eliminates the traditional indigo dyeing process, resulting in significant dyestuff, chemical and water savings. Circularity is another key for denim industry. REFIBRA™ technology and mechanically recycled TENCEL™ play an important role for the recycled concept. Blending with recycled cotton offers a Zero Virgin Cotton concept for sustainable denim.
We are seeking opportunities to collaborate with mills partners, as well as brands and retailers for any new concepts and application innovation to color our denim industry.
Interested in collaborating? Contact the TENCEL™ Denim Team at denim@lenzing.com.