The tough stuff
Charles Parsons knitted products division national operations manager Julian Collins
D&M Fabrics director Peter Thomas
Eclipse Textiles marketing and product development designer
What has been the single biggest innovation in the performance fabric sector over the past 12 months?
Julian: Increased stretch for onfield Rugby and Aussie rules has been a focus of our innovation the past 12 months. Getting the balance right between the fabric's elastomeric content and making the fabric suitable for high temperature sublimate printing has been a difficult task. We are now at the stage where we are able to offer two stretch weft knitted fabrics for on field football and three stretch warp knitted fabrics for Hockey/Netball.
Peter: We consider performance fabrics as minimum care wash and wear, particularly suited to travel wardrobes. Polyester is of course ideal.
Vanessa: The biggest innovation we have seen and have been able to lead the market in, is the combination of Lastol and dryarn yarn, which produces a very sophisticated fabrication. Lastol is a revolutionary stretch fiber that enhances the performance of swimsuits. No other stretch fiber available today can give garments the level of performance and durability inherited by this yarn. It is the first ever chlorine proof stretch fiber durable enough to last through 1000 hours of chlorine. Combined with Dryarn yarn, this makes a very sophisticated, high performance fabric that will be in demand throughout the industry.
What will be the best-selling performance fabric next season?
Julian: Footy Ultimate which is a 250gsm Polyester interlock will most likely be this year's hottest item. It has all the performance characteristics required for onfield uses for all football codes including high burst strength, great tear strength and exceptional moisture management features. An added bonus is the fact it is quite affordable, allowing the supporters to wear the same fabric as their favourite team.
Peter: Unanswered.
Vanessa: Wonder will certainly be our next best selling performance fabric, it has been for some time, but the trend is still getting stronger due to the benefits and performance factors of this unique fabrication. Wonder is the new frontier of circular knit fabrics, with a compact and uniform appearance and technical handle, Wonder is highly sophisticated and incredibly modern. With its unique paper touch, breathability, bacteria resistant and thermo-regulatory properties, it is certainly one of the leading fabrics in the apparel industry.
What impact has nano technology had on the sector?
Julian: There is increased interest in the market place for products utilising nano technology. In larger overseas markets the products are making inroads, however the Australian fabric market are finding the price of the product outweighs the functions this technology offers.
Peter: Recently I read that the Japanese yarn producer Toray is producing a new yarn containing Silver which is being launched in a range of anti microbail fabrics for hospitals. This new development could see the end of the spread of the super bug MRSA in hospitals. Surely this is a most significant development.
Vanessa:We have found, that due to the new nano-technology, we have been able to over come some of the deficiencies of synthetic fibre characteristics and making them more acceptable in performance fabrics. Also, due to the minute size of this science, the handle of already accepted fabrics in the market can now have added performance factors without changing the feel of the end garment.
Where is the future of performance apparel heading?
Whilst the clubs continue to change sponsors each year and the leadtimes are short, the performance apparel market for Australian sport will continue to grow. Everyone is looking for the slightest edge over their competition and this benefits everyone down the line. The clubs want to out perform the competition on the field, the brands want to give their players the latest gear and the fabric manufactures want to have the next new performance fabric ready for the coming season. There is now an increase demand for customised performance fabrics for each new season. Each brand wants their own design combined with performance yarns together with all of the standard performance characteristics. It continues to be a fabric evolution - who knows what the future will bring.....
Peter: Unanswered.
Performance apparel is always's becoming more sophisticated, more technical, a finer gauge and more improved benefits. We have just launched a new and exciting product which we feel is the future of textiles, it is 100% recyclable, ecological and environmentally friendly. Due to the ongoing issue's we have with our environment, we feel this will become a very important factor within any industry.
What is the biggest challenge facing the sector?
Julian: Although garments are retailing at between $80 and $100, margins are tight down the supply chain. The key to succeeding is continued product development. People are prepared to pay a little more for new performance fabrics backed up by local technical support and quick to market service.
Peter: Unanswered.
Vanessa: The biggest challenge we find, is turning all of these incredible technical advancements in textiles into a commercial and acceptable cost efficient product, but Eclipse is always up for a challenge...