Classics with a twist is a common description in fashion for updated favorites and at this week’s Texworld USA, Lenzing Fibers and WTS are putting an eco spin on go-to fabrications.
The two companies will present ReMade Classics, a men’s and women’s apparel range made from knits created using TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ technology at Texworld USA from Jan. 21 – 23 at the Javits Center in New York. TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ technology was the first man-made cellulosic fiber featuring (keep recycled)material on a commercial scale. TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ lyocell utilizes post – industrial cotton scraps from garment production and wood pulp sourced from FSC & PEFC forestry, moving the industry one step closer to achieving a circular economy.
WTS, a full-package manufacturer based in Peru, is excited to offer fabrics with TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ lyocell because it allows the company to proactively provide this option for their clients who are trying to figure out which sustainable initiatives will resonate with end consumers.
The manufacturer chose to partner with Lenzing because the company recognizes the need for sustainability and Lenzing’s ongoing commitment in this area provides unmatched credibility, according to CEO Luis Antonio Aspillaga.
“Our clients are trying to determine how to incorporate sustainability. This is an opportunity for us to differentiate ourselves and offer a product that offers the flexibility in terms of applications,” he said. “It’s a nice storyline. Clients know they have a professional company behind the product. And Lenzing has the [sustainability and trust credibility story] the brands can confidently market it.”
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For Lenzing, working with WTS just makes sense, as the two companies have successfully collaborated in the past and share a similar vision.
“WTS is an ideal partner for this collaboration, as they have a long history and understanding of working with TENCEL™ lyocell fibers,” said Malvina Hoxha, manager business development, for Knits & Innerwear. “In considering the TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ lyocell collaboration, we needed a partner that has the understanding of TENCEL™ lyocell and the vision and sustainability goals to elevate their product offering and the team at WTS was the perfect partner to bring this value to the knits market. ”
Among the pieces on display will be jersey T-shirts for women made from Pima cotton, TENCEL™ Modal, Spandex and 29 percent TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ lyocell as well as men’s tees created from 20 percent TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ lyocell and Pima Cotton. The full collection includes dresses, tanks, henleys and polos, all with a varying amount of TENCEL™ x REFRIBRA™ lyocell blended with premium and performance fibers.
This flexibility to gauge the amount of TENCEL™ x REFRIBRA™ lyocell in a collection provides brands the ability to create a wide variety of combinations in keeping up with their design and sustainability goals—as well as their budgets.
Ultimately, what buyers will notice is the garments look and feel like their counterparts that are made from traditional fibers and processes.
“Using Lenzing’s state of the art technology, [the pieces] look and feel like brand new fibers, so there’s no difference compared to a virgin fiber,” said Diana Alvarado, design director at WTS. “A lot of the fibers in the market that come from recycled materials, they don’t look clean and pristine like that.”
In this way TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ lyocell offers the best of both worlds—the performance consumers are looking for without the damaging impact to the environment.
“It’s sustainable methods, but it’s the same end product for the consumer in terms of hand and feel,” said Kristine Olson, vice president of sales and business development at WTS. “We’re not sacrificing anything and offering our clients innovation and a premium product.”
The ReMade Classics collection exemplifies the apparel industry’s new direction, which will be characterized by collaboration, innovation and sustainability.