Insquin Waterborne PU Textiles for Apparel

Covestro and ISOTEX announce joint program to promote waterborne PU technology for textiles.

ISOTEX Engineering, a SANTEX GROUP company, announces a joint program with Covestro to develop and market technologies for PU synthetics, technical textiles, films and foams based on INSQIN® waterborne polyurethane technology.

ISOTEX Engineering has announced a new agreement with Covestro, using INSQIN® technology to develop total solutions for the textile industry. The two companies will jointly promote environmentally-friendly solutions for PU coated fabrics, addressing the emerging requirements from the sportswear, fashion and automotive industries.

ISOTEX Engineering machines will guarantee optimal production standards using INSQIN® technology. The new line of machines will be designed for using INSQIN® technology with process innovation from ISOTEX Engineering, to produce waterborne PU synthetic materials and other coated textiles.

More about INSQIN®:

It starts with pure waterborne PU technology from Covestro, the inventor of PU - formerly known under the brand Bayer. INSQIN® technology, designed especially for the coating of textiles, brings functionality to fabrics and astounding quality to synthetic materials.

Encompassing a range of waterborne PU dispersions (PUD’s), INSQIN® technology opens up a wealth of possibilities to enhance and transform fabrics. For example quieter, more comfortable functional layers and high performance screen printing for apparel or footwear fabrics. Or PU synthetic material able to match both the design requirements of fashion and the performance requirements of sports applications. And importantly, INSQIN® enables efficient and solvent-free manufacturing processes, thereby addressing some of the major concerns around coated fabric material manufacturing.

But INSQIN® is even more. Covestro offers a unique set of services to accelerate the introduction of new products and promote sustainable practices in the supply chain. They work closely with both manufacturers and brand owners on projects, connecting needs from the market with the possibilities offered by their  technology.

Let’s learn a little more about PU textiles in general.  The following is about PU materials generally stated, it is not specifically about Isotex or other the companies listed above.

By the way, PU (Poly) Synthetic Leather is a man-made material that will represent the look and feel of Genuine Leather.

The following information about PU textiles from Brentano Fabrics: “Polyurethane is a greener alternative to PVC (vinyl) and leather in both production and after-care. Naturally soft and flexible, polyurethane does not require the solvents used to soften PVC or leather in the manufacturing process. Leather production is an especially chemical-laden process involving heavy metals. Polyurethane can also be designed to deteriorate after a period of use specific to interior design applications, whereas PVC never degrades. It leaches toxins into landfills and emits carcinogenic dioxin when incinerated.”  (source: http://www.brentanofabrics.com/fabrics_FAQ/eco_polyurethane.aspx)

Learn more about the textile industry manufacturing and resources from the textile industry guide section.

Thank you for taking the time to read our textile and apparel industry blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

Trade Secret Australia is Part of TJX

The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX), the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide, announced in July 2015 that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Trade Secret, an off-price retailer that operates 35 stores in Australia, from Gazal Corporation Limited (ASX: GZL) for a purchase price of AUD$80 million. The potential acquisition of Trade Secret provides TJX an opportunistic entry into Australia, where TJX currently operates one of its 13 buying offices. At that time, TJX expected the transaction, which has customary conditions to closing, to be consummated by the end of calendar 2015.  Well it is now the end of 2015 and Trade Secret is not part of TJX.

Trade Secret offers branded apparel for women, men and children, as well as footwear, accessories and home fashions at great values. Virtually all of the Trade Secret stores are located in the eastern part of Australia. Trade Secret opened its first store in 1992 and since then, has grown to AUD$164.5 million in revenue for its fiscal year ended June 2015.

Khombu Footwear

Khombu, the innovative footwear and outerwear brand synonymous with function, fashion, performance and exceptional quality for the outdoor athletic category, proudly announces a new partnership with alpine athletes, U.S. Ski Team member Erik Arvidsson and World Cup ski competitor Abby Ghent. These young, global competitors will be recognized as the Official Khombu Brand Ambassadors throughout the 2015/16 season, kicking off at First Tracks in Copper Mountain, CO in November 2015. In partnership with Khombu’s technical designers, the athletes will also consult on the development of a signature performance footwear, outerwear and hosiery collection, available at retail for Fall 2016.

Learn more about the Khombu Partnership with U.S. Ski Team.

Ashlee Simpson at Mockingjay Part 2 Premiere

Ashlee Simpson wore Sequin jewelry to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 premiere yesterday in Los Angeles! The new mom posed alongside her husband, Evan Ross wearing Sequin chandelier fringe earrings (Price available upon request, www.sequin-NYC.com). 

See more of Ashlee Simpson.

Carly Rae Jepsen in Striped Sequin Dress

Carly Rae Jepsen was photographed wearing bebe in New York. The pop star looked stunning in her Multi Striped Sequin Dress as she performed at VH1's Big Music in 2015: You Oughta Know Concert ($179, www.bebe.com). 

 Below is a fashion model wearing the dress.

See more of Carly Rae Jepsen.

Rachael Ray Wearing Sequin Jewelry

Rachael Ray was photographed wearing Sequin jewelry at the Michael J. Fox Foundation's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's Gala in New York this weekend. The celebrity chef and TV host accessorized her black dress with Sequin's limited edition Deco necklace available upon request ($595, www.sequin-NYC.com).

See more celebrities at charity events on our fashion blog.

Kaley Cuoco Looks Happy

Kaley Cuoco wore Happiness Brand today in Los Angeles! The actress was casual in her Turca Pant in Coral while leaving her yoga class ($93). 

See more from the Happiness Brand.

See more of Kaley Cuoco here on the Fashion Blog.

Sophie Grégoire Style Icon in SENTALER

Wife of newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire, wore a white coat by emerging Canadian designer, SENTALER, to her husband's inauguration and the National Canadian Remebrance Day ceremony in Canada’s Capital city, Ottawa.

Sophie Grégoire Snapped Wearing Her Grey Full Length Alpaca Coat with Detachable Baby Alpaca Fur Collar at the Canadian National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on November 11th, 2015 (USD $1395)

"I was honored to see Sophie Grégoire in my coat. She wore it so gracefully. It is a designer's dream, and now mine came true." - says SENTALER designer, Bojana Sentaler.

Similar to Kate Middleton, Sophie Grégoire is the vision of classic elegant style, both in luxury and function. Sophie is an emerging style icon, welcoming the SENTALER brand, and wearing it proudly as she stands in front of her country.

SENTALER is no stranger to the closets of celebrities, as Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) and Meghan Markle (Suits USA) have both been snapped in their SENTALER coats. Available on Sentaler.com worldwide, SENTALER has become a luxury must-have for women across the globe. 

As worn by Sophie Grégoire, the SENTALER Limited Edition Alpaca Coat with Baby Alpaca Fur Collar (USD $1,695)

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

SENTALER was established in 2009, by designer Bojana Sentaler, whose own international lifestyle and keen sense of aesthetics are reflected in her collections. After obtaining a business degree from the prominent Schulich School of Business in Toronto and gaining experience in the corporate world, Bojana began a journey around the world to explore her true talent and passion for design and fashion. She visited Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and it was a rare encounter with Karl Lagerfeld, that inspired Bojana to create the luxury outerwear line SENTALER.

ABOUT THE BRAND, SENTALER

Dedicated to the modern, classy and sophisticated woman who enjoys quality, glamour and refinement, each SENTALER coat is crafted with hand-finishes, using the world's finest fabric, alpaca.

Raised at high altitudes in the freezing Andes, alpacas have developed microscopic air pockets in their hair, which act like a thermal insulator. As a result, SENTALER coats are very soft to the touch as well as lightweight but warm. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our fashion blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative.

If you would like to learn a bit more about fashion relevant tops, you may want to try the following possible links of interest:

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Apparel Search 2015 Holiday Gift Guide

Ring, ring, the holiday's are coming.  Time to purchase winter essentials for yourself as well as for your friends and family.  Yes, gift giving time is almost upon us.

Levi

If you are shopping for a man in your life, you may want to visit the Levi website to review their outerwear options.  Below are a few example that we like for Winter 2015.

What do you think of this women's Fur Hooded Parka?

This hooded parka features a faux-fur lined hood, drawstring waist and a zip and snap front closure. Finished with a polyamide satin for a refined sheen. Yes, this parka is Levi.

Outerwear makes a great gift, but you may also want to consider footwear as a gift giving option.  Did you know that Ugg Australia makes a fine collection of slippers that would be perfect for this winter (indoor or out).

The slippers pictured above are Day Slippers.  They can be worn outside because they have a durable sole, signature UGG comfort, and new eye-catching colors.  The Dakota Moccasin is your wear-everywhere style.

See more women's UGG slippers.  By the way, you can't tell me that the slippers below would not make a perfect gift for the guy or gal that enjoys lounging around the house.

When colder weather calls for curling up on the couch in something comfortable, a nice pair of slippers would be remembered as the perfect gift.

You may also want to check the Moncler Fanny Shearling-lined lace-up Boot in Beige that can be found at Neiman Marcus.

Thank you for taking the time to read our fashion blog post. If you would like to take a few moments to visit a few other fashion resources, you are welcome to review some of our suggestions below.

Links of Interest:

Brand Name Fashion
Fashion Brand Directory
Fashion Celebrities 
Popular Fashion Brands

Happy holidays.

We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

Fit Movement with Parsons School of Design

Alvanon, The Global Apparel Business Expert, has entered into a Fit Movement partnership with the Parsons School of Design. The partnership provides students enrolled in selected programs with advanced industry fit tools used in product development for the purpose of creating a state of the art learning environment for emerging designers.

“Parson’s vision incorporates values such as collaborative methods, pioneering uses of technology and experimentation,” says Alvanon CEO Janice Wang. “These are concepts that thoroughly reflect Alvanon’s view of mentorship and education. We are natural partners, and Alvanon is delighted to support one of New York City’s elite educational institutions with world class technical tools.

Parsons School of Design

Parsons’ Master of Fine Arts Fashion Design and Society program is led by director Shelley Fox. The graduate program, begun with the support of Parsons alumna Donna Karan, trains a select group of designers to view fashion from a global perspective, and to address issues such as global production and distribution, as well as the social and ecological effects of fashion.

Alvanon equipped Parsons’ MFA program with a full complement of AlvaForm fit mannequins. In addition, the company sponsors the BFA in Fashion Design program by organizing a discount program, supplying Half-Scale AlvaForm mannequins annually to over 300 Parsons faculty members, graduate students and undergraduates for use in their classes.  The Half-Scale AlvaForm is an invaluable educational tool that has been adopted as the standard for their curriculum.

“Our students need to be working with high level equipment so that they are equipped to work with the best when they enter the industry,” Fox says. “The AlvaForms are a prime example. They will enable our students to create fashion that fits at the highest professional level.”

The Fit Movement

Alvanon launched its Fit Movement in 2012 by granting a two year mentorship to designer and namesake brand, Carrie Parry.  Since then, Alvanon has supplied grants and mentoring to a variety of fashion organizations and small businesses, including patternmaker Werkstatt, and associations that support the reshoring of apparel manufacturing jobs to the US, such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Photo shows Alvanon CEO Janice Wang (right), Parsons’ Master of Fine Arts Fashion Design and Society Program Director Shelley Fox (left) and Parson's student Long Xu. (Photo courtesy of Alvanon.)

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