Levana is working on many key innovations across its circular knit fabric range with a focus on natural and sustainable fibres. Intricate natural fibre blends are being researched and trialled in the form of jacquard and jersey fabrics to create a lovely flowing drape and smooth handle. Some amazing new developments with a unique natural fibre have produced a fabric with incredibly soft handle and beautiful lustre. Blends nylon are also being fabricated for added structure, stretch and recovery. As sustainability gains recognition, many customers are also interested in recycled fibres and we have new developments in recycled fibres including polyester blended with natural fibres. Through our parent company [The Merino Company] we have also been an integral part in the development of the award-winning Encircle Compression Therapy medical socks. This innovative sock is a non-invasive, clinically proven device that assists in the prevention and treatment of lower limb circulatory problems. The bi-component fabrics were developed at Levana using merino and thermocool yarns knitted into a new structure whereby the merino is placed on the inside for next-to-skin comfort. The result is a comfortable garment that creates a micro-environment around the skin to assist and regulate the skin environment and improve circulation. In the current market it is even more important to be trialling new fibres and fabric blends and continuing to pursue the latest developments globally to offer to the market. It is easy to fall into a trap of being safe with fabric offerings due to a more conservative market, however we feel the best way to operate in tough retail conditions is to utilise the opportunity and be more and more inventive with our fabrics.
Raymond Fuchs Stretchtex International Fabrics sales manager
At the moment there are no new fibres on the horizon for us just yet, as customers seem more than happy with the latest products on the market. We supply a range of swim and sportswear to many leading brands around the world and customers seem content with the vast array of specialist materials we provide. From the ever-popular stretch polyester to titanium infused materials, we do aim to continually develop new products to maintain our leadership. A lot of fibres are created by innovators offshore, mostly in the US, and we then use this in our products. Manufactures usually come to us with the finished type of fibre and we go from there, but since our titanium infused range there hasn’t been any new fibres within our industry. When there is – we will know about it. The customers seem very happy with what is on offer now. From quick drying silky material, to fabrics with special conductive fibres which disperses electric charges produced during physical activity, Stretchtex has a range of benefits for our sport and swimwear customers. While some fabrics aim to speed up the evaporation process of perspiration by slowing down the formation on the skin, while keeping the temperature constant, others can protect the body from absorbing static energy, electro smog and UV rays. Although at the moment customers are happy with the benefits of the current fabrics, we have highly experienced staff who keep abreast of technological advances in the development of new yarns and fibres.
Vanessa Kirk Eclipse Textiles marketing and product development designer
We are finding in the swimwear industry there is a turn towards fine gauge lightweight fabrics, specifically for the fashion swimwear area. Standard weights traditionally were approx. 190gsm, but most are going now as low as 145gsm - which is very new. Due to this trend we are finding our Jersey Lomellina products, which are circular knit suppliers knitting specifically for the fashion swimwear area, are going really well due to their fine gauge knit constructions and the variety of weights available in their beautiful nylon meryl microfibres and polyesters. Digital printing is becoming more popular and over the past few years we have found it has increased dramatically, which in turn is making this technology more commercial. In our active sports section, compression fabrics have been the new industry term for a few years now and this is becoming increasingly popular. Due to technological advancements, the traditional heavyweight fabrics are being replaced with featherweight fabrics, still containing a high Lycra content. This creates a lightweight effect while still having compression fabric features. Recycled fabrics is certainly the most new industry term at the moment and we do offer a number of eco-friendly fabrics to cater for this trend. Some exciting news from Eclipse is that we have just formed a relationship with Italian supplier Eurojersey, which offers the well-known patented Sensitive® fabrics. We are now the exclusive Australasian supplier which sits alongside our already established supplier relationships, including Carvico and Jersey Lomellina. Its patented knitting technique includes extraordinary aesthetic characteristics, which combine a distinctive soft touch, plus exceptional function qualities including a four-way stretch and outstanding shape retention.
