Ask the Experts: What Are You Excited About for Denim 2019?
A lot happened in the denim industry in 2018 and we’re expecting more exciting things ahead in 2019.
So many great moments happened in the denim space this year—from innovations to sustainable initiatives and new technologies that advance the world’s favorite fabric—and we’re looking forward to what the coming year will bring.
We’re closing this 2018 ask the experts chapter with a forward-looking question we had to ask: What are you most excited about for the denim industry in 2019?
Carved in Blue rounded up 12 leaders in the blue world to get their thoughts on this pressing question.
Carved in Blue: What key denim takeaways from 2018 should inform 2019?
“I’m excited to see how this year’s wave of consumer engagement initiatives will evolve in the coming year. A better-informed consumer is critical to progress.”
—Michelle Branch, Markt & Twigs
“I look forward to seeing in the market the sustainable denim collections that some brands have been working on, when some of them have been already introduced in the last quarter 2018. On the other hand, 2019 is also the year of ITMA in Barcelona. Very interested to check the new proposals in the field of machinery and products meant for the denim production and garment treatments and differential looks.”
—Miguel Sánchez, Gavilanad
“Denim education is going into new realms for 2019. I’m personally working on some really exciting projects. First with the BA Hons students from Ravensbourne University together with Kingpins, in association with Cone Denim, Bossa Denim, Kurabo Denim and Orta. It’s a crazy good project and all will be presented in April 2019 in Amsterdam. Second, working closely with MA students at the Royal College of Art together with Japanese Denim Giant Kaihara, myself and Zowie Brooch head of Fashion. This project is ground breaking and is in its fifth year. This year we are focusing on two very special students. This will be presented in May 2019 in London. Previous students have gone on to win the H&M Fashion Award with a £50K prize and a reproduction of their denim graduate collections.”
—Mohsin Sajid, Endrime
“I am most excited about spotlighting the work that the denim industry in China has been doing to make its supply chain cleaner, innovative and responsible. I believe many people have a certain perception about the Chinese denim industry and through my work building the Kingpins China City Tour – our show series in China – I have seen that in fact China is taking big strides in sustainability. We are just scratching the surface but we have several projects in the works for 2019 that will bring their efforts more visibility and help the denim industry understand what’s happening in China.”
—Vivian Wang, Kingpins
“All the new companies and brands getting on the train to the digital transformation. All teams’ excitement about all the new things they can achieve with the technologies (all measurable, scalable, and efficient).”
—Alex Penades, Jeanologia
“In the U.S., I expect we’ll see more young consumers using their fashion to express their views and values in the lead up to the next U.S. presidential election, which will ramp in 2019. I’m looking forward to seeing how that will play out in denim since its one of the most expressive and customizable fabrics and has deep roots in politics, protest and social change.”
—Angela Velasquez, managing editor, Rivet
“I’m truly excited about the opportunity to expand on great new developments with our 3 industry leading mill partners (Kurabo, HW Textiles, and Tavex). Each mill has some very exciting new products fiber, yarn, weaving, and finishing innovations to share in 2019. In addition to our core innovations, we are super excited to share something tentatively called “E2” (title pending). E2 is Kurabo’s new denim synergy that combines Kurabo “Return Cotton” with REFIBRA™ technology by TENCEL™! This is going to be legendary.”
—Brad Mowry, Artisan Cloth
“I am most excited about seeing the expansion of sustainability in all segments of the denim market. I hope we see the tail end of ‘dirty and fast denim fashion’ and more quality product. That brands recognize that experienced denim designers and development experts have value and are the backbone of the industry as whole. That we learn to show respect to the ‘denim elders’ in the ‘indigo tribe’ and see that it is not about likes and followers! And finally, I am excited to see many segments of the denim industry focusing on revitalizing both fabric and garment manufacturing locally and new cites emerging globally.”
—Christine Rucci, Godmother of Denim
“I am excited to see how the denim industry is facing the changing situation of the global market with all its impacts and influences. The market is getting even more quicker and there is a lack of flexibility in the market. Everybody needs to become more flexible in their processes. I am also curious to see how the companies will face the discussion about the price. There are several services and brand initiatives from the marketing perspective which can avoid those discussions before they start. 2019 will stay interesting!”
—Dirk Lehmann, Sportswear International
“With this continuous movement that has been created around sustainability, I expect to see more and more young people involved, this will bring a great renewal of creative thinking. Besides of it, the new technologies in every phase of production but also in the sale of products, surely they have in store great things for 2019. Personally, I think that the revolution has begun.”
—Lucia Rosin, Meidea
“I’m most excited to see how suppliers are stepping up to the sustainability challenge brands are putting out there. In 2018, I heard more and more about brands considering a sustainability strategy after being informed by their suppliers about the options to engage, my hope in 2019 is to see that push from suppliers result in the highest volume of global brand commitments to date.”
—Daren Abney, Better Cotton Initiative
“That consumers will finally change their buying habits and start consuming responsibly and based on their real needs.”
—Panos Sofanios, Munich Fabric Start
This is part 3 in the series of 3 stories on Ask the Expert 2018.