The consumer version of the Lycra Bra Fabric Finder was on display at the Best Pacific booth and is the only casual bra fabric search solution on the market capable of factoring in the characteristics and performance implications of a stretch fabric and certify them for performance around shape support and comfort, according to the company.

“Casual is one of the most exciting areas in the bra market. It is also where the combination of vision, innovative technology and Invista’s marketing power can make all the difference when it comes to emotionally connecting well-fitting casual bras with a woman’s femininity,” said Dilly Zhang, General Manager, Best Pacific.

New consumer initiative

The new BFF consumer initiative builds on the original Lycra Bra Fabric Finder B2B programme launched in 2017, which was created by Invista to help designers easily identify the best fabric construction and add functionality to any casual bra collection. While the list of participating mills is global, Best Pacific has built the most comprehensive collection of qualified fabrics.

“The launch of the Lycra BFF programme helps to increase the confidence of discerning consumers by creating bra fabrics that allow women everywhere to be authentic and natural without compromising on comfort,” said Dilly Zhang, General Manager, Best Pacific. “The Paris show is the first stop in our plan to introduce the programme and our new fabric collections to brands and designers.”

Catering to casual

“As the preference for casual, more versatile and comfortable products grows, the quality and performance of the fabrics used are increasingly critical. The Lycra Bra Fabric Finder enables women to readily identify casual bras that can deliver the comfort and functionality they are looking for – whether that is in leisure garments with natural shaping, everyday wear and active comfort with power shaping to define their curves,” said Claire O’Neil, EMEA Marketing Manager, Lycra Fibre Brand at Invista.

Invista’s BFF Lycra Bra Fabric Finder places fabrics into one of three end-user categories, depending on comfort and support levels. Active delivers high support but medium comfort. Everyday means a balance of support and comfort. Leisure calls for medium support and high comfort.

BFF also defines bras in terms of their shaping level. Natural produces a softer more natural breast shape, while Power indicates stronger shaping to define the wearer’s curves. This approach makes it easier for bra designers to narrow down their choice of fabrics and create garments for optimized functionality. It also makes it simple to precisely label garments, so women can choose the exact shape, support and comfort level they want.

“Finding the perfect casual bra is a dream-come-true for most women, but it can be very hard to find that ideal bra. Some casual bras, without underwire depend primarily on fabric to do the work. They can feel comfortable, but lack shape and support. With the new BFF programme, consumers can be confident that when they select a bra made from the best fabric for their needs and that they won’t have to compromise,” added O’Neil.

Open to upstream and downstream customers

The Lycra Bra Fabric Finder and BFF programme is open to upstream and downstream Invista customers who are looking to grow their business in the emerging casual bra category. After lab testing and certification, they are eligible to access the BFF consumer branding.

Point-of-sale elements, including BFF-themed signage and bra-strap hangtags make it easy for customers to identify a casual bra that offers the shape, support and comfort they desire. The BFF programme also includes copy for social and digital marketing content, as well as a full portfolio of creative solutions to help brands tell their BFF story at retail.

www.bestpacific.com

www.invista.com