Modal Indigo Hits ‘Sweet Spot’ for Fashion Time International HK
For Hong Kong-based textile group Fashion Time International HK Ltd., using eco-friendly raw materials is a key part of its sustainability strategy. As part of this action plan, the company sources fibers from Lenzing, including carbon-zero TENCEL™.
Another focus for the group is reducing water and energy consumption. Combining these two priorities, TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology offers low-impact wood-based fibers with the added benefit of reduced resource use. Instead of traditional dyeing, these fibers are dyed while in their liquid form, drastically lowering the amount of water, chemicals and energy needed to achieve the blue hue. A performance quality of the spun-dyed fibers is improved colorfastness, meaning indigo won’t rub off or transfer.
As an emerging new player, Fashion Time International operates mainly in Vietnam with modernized knitting, dyeing and finishing. With TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology, the manufacturer created textiles ranging from terry and jersey to ribbed materials or denim-style twills, showing the versatility of the modal.
Betty Pang, head of marketing and design at Fashion Time International HK Ltd., chatted with Carved in Blue about her company’s sustainable efforts and how the group is using TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology for its Beyond Indigo collection.
Carved in Blue: What is the story behind your modal indigo fabric development?
Betty: Our company had a long heritage of using Lenzing modal in knits fabric, and indigo has been running in our customer DNA. In fact, the modal indigo fabric collection is the missing piece of our puzzle, as many of our clients are jeans-driven designer labels. We are so delighted to find such a sweet spot where the two worlds finally meet.
Carved in Blue: What your thoughts towards Lenzing modal indigo?
Betty: Lenzing modal indigo provides product with indigo heritage and character but in unbeatable softness. In markets such as America and Europe, softness is still an essential to indigo product.
Carved in Blue: What are Fashion Time’s ideas and roadmap toward sustainability?
Betty: Sustainability is one core value of our company. As one of the world’s biggest producers, Fashion Time has worked with brands and organizations such as Cotton USA for initiatives not only to promote sustainability, but also material traceability. In the middle term, by working with leading fiber providers such as Lenzing, it is our goal to promote sustainable and traceable fiber to the consumers.
Carved in Blue: How do you see Modal indigo as a solution to some of the challenges of indigo dyeing in knits?
Betty: It greatly reduces the hesitation of the indigo contamination through the production process, and to be honest it is one of the greatest setbacks for a knitting and dyeing facility not to proceed in indigo or pigment dye products.
Carved in Blue: Do you see knit indigo as a growing market with the casualization of hybrid work?
Betty: Definitely. With softness and elastic stretch and recovery, we see knit indigo as a trend in the casualization of everyday wear.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Betty: It is wonderful to connect with our like-minded partners in the industry who share the same values with us in minimizing the environmental footprint while doing business, empowering our consumers to adopt better consumption in the best possible way.