Cone Denim Talks Future Black and Beyond Ahead of Outdoor Retailer
Cone Denim has long been known for bringing to market what the market wants before the market even realizes it wants it.
Though the leading denim supplier recently announced that it would cease production in its 110-year-long running White Oak mill in Greensboro, North Carolina, Cone still has plans to deliver on bringing high quality, innovative denim through their know-how with their production facilities in Mexico and China. With their strong commitment to sustainability, the Cone Mexico facility was recently awarded the Oeko-tex certification.
One of its latest efforts is an investment in keeping black jeans black—and improving their sustainability at the same time. Cone launched Future BLACK+ late last year, creating the industry’s first certified fade-resistant black denim using Lenzing Modal® Black fibers and REPREVE® Black recycled polyester fibers.
Carved in Blue caught up with Cone Denim’s VP of design and marketing Kara Nicholas, to find out a little more about the inspiration behind Future BLACK and what’s around the bend for Cone.
Carved in Blue: Where did the idea for Future BLACK come about?
Kara: We know that black jeans are a wardrobe staple. So we needed to look at new ways to make a fabric that would last and solve the problem consumers have with lasting color. We already worked with some solution dyed fibers and felt the softness and sustainability of Lenzing Modal® BLACK would be the perfect blend.
Carved in Blue: What’s Cone’s vision for Future BLACK in the market?
Kara: We see a range of fabrics suitable for not only women’s skinny jeans, but also men’s jeans. There are even applications for jackets and dresses.
Carved in Blue: Right now as many as 17 recycled plastic bottles go into Future BLACK jeans—do you see that number increasing in the future?
Kara: We are mindful of the environment when developing fabrics and look at ways to reduce impact. As we alter the construction and weight we will look at the possibility of increasing the bottle count.
Carved in Blue: What will you be highlighting at Outdoor Retailer?
Kara: We will be highlight the TruTone from Cone Denim with Lenzing Modal® BLACK and Unifi’s Repreve black for men’s and women’s styles. We will also be launching some new styles with Lenzing’s Refibra™ branded lyocell from cotton scraps. This is a continuation of the sustainability mission at Cone.
Carved in Blue: What do you think is the most important thing people are looking for from denim right now?
Kara: Consumers will never leave a good fitting and comfortable jean. They want the versatility and value in a product that will stand the test of time.
Carved in Blue: What’s next for Future BLACK?
Kara: We are still working with customers on the Future Black concept and have had an excellent response. We will continue to develop fabrics in new blends and weights.
Carved in Blue: What’s next for Cone Denim?
Kara: We look at 2018 with optimism and opportunity. We pride ourselves on innovation and sustainability as we strive to bring our customers new performance and aesthetics based on more than 125 years of denim ingenuity.