Invista, which owns the Lycra brand is unveiling a innovative patent pending technology for knit denim fabrics at the upcoming Kingpins Denim Shows in Amsterdam and New York. “With the Lycra Hybrid technology, fabrics combine the best of both worlds, the comfort and flexibility of a knit with the authentic aesthetics and performance of a woven,” an Invista press release stated. “What distinguishes this technology from existing knit denim is that the Lycra Hybrid fabrics offer low growth, low shrinkage and multi directional stretch,” said Jean Hegedus, Invista’s global director for denim. “Additionally, the fabrics can be engineered for use in a range of different garment types, each serving different consumer needs,” Hegedus added. Based on extensive trials with fit models and Invista’s proprietary wear force testing protocols, the Lycra Hybrid fabrics have been segmented into three different categories, each with unique performance levels. Level 1 offers everyday denim fabrics that meet Invista’s standards and can carry the Lycra brand, while Level 2 are fabrics that meet Invista’s shaping technology standards and can qualify for the Lycra Beauty brand. “Level 3 are fabrics that meet Invista’s athleisure standards and can qualify for Lycra Sport branding,” the fibre producer informed. Introduced in woven denim last year, Lycra Beauty jeans help shape and sculpt a women’s body comfortably, with the same concept being extended into the knit denim arena. Previously only used in the activewear segment, the Lycra Sport brand is now being extended into denim for use in athleisure apparel. Our testing helps identify the right level of stretch, recovery, and force to ensure comfort, freedom of movement, and performance in an active inspired garment,” Hegedus stated. Invista began working on the new technology several years ago as they saw performance fabrics taking an increasingly important role in the denim space. The fabrics employ a specific patent pending construction to achieve the look and feel of traditional denim, but with much greater stretch and flexibility. “Another unique function of the technology is that you can engineer the fabric to have the particular level of stretch you desire,” Invista explained. “We have been able to achieve fabrics with over 100 per cent stretch in one direction and more than 50 per cent in the other, with less than 5 per cent growth,” said Tianyi Liao, research fellow at Invista. Invista worked under confidentiality agreement with several mills on this project including Advance Denim of China, Knitdigo of Taiwan, Santanderina of Spain, and Willy Hermann of Austria.
