24 June 2009 - Invista, one of the leading producers of integrated fibres and polymers and owner of the Lycra fibre brand, has launched a Legwear Innovation Collection dedicated to the Spring/Summer season of 2010.

The collection underlines Invista’s commitment to creating long-term value for the global legwear industry by helping to develop legwear according to consumer needs, the company says. The Legwear Innovation Collection is also the first part of a series of fibre and product innovations which Invista will launch in the coming months for the global legwear market.

The Legwear Innovation Collection 2010 presents five hosiery and seamless fashion directions showcasing Lycra and T400 fibres. It is based on fashion trends that move between two distinct directions of thinking, rigour and escapism.

Invista says that new hosiery machines and yarn types such as the T400 fibre, an innovative and first of a new generic fibre class, allow the leg to become once more a centre piece in the world of fashion. The 2010 Legwear Innovation trends highlight new playful and seductive ways of using opaque and sheer contrasts; customised layering of different types of legwear; bold cut-outs and creative lace looks:

Painterly

Exotic bright colours and kaleidoscopic patterns are back unleashing the desire for escapism during tough economic times

Perfect for this trend, the younger consumer increasingly appreciates modern art and pop culture

The body, and especially the legs, form the canvas for innovative and arty vibrant colours, sometimes overprinted or spray-painted onto opaque and sheer hosiery with Lycra fibre

Tattoo-type ornamental decorative patterns extend from skin to fabric

Weightless Layering

Lightness in every aspect of modern life is essential in fashion and interior design

Inspired by modern dance, this trend includes silhouettes of floating layers and dresses that flutter with every moment

Uneven hems which are short in the front and long at the back require new types of hosiery, footless tights and leggings in diverse lengths. All of which are made with Lycra fibre for comfort and perfect fit

Yet again, legwear becomes an important and indispensable accessory to play with - the base can be a sheer knee-high or sock, layered with barely there bits and pieces, draped delicately around the leg

Soft, fresh pastel shades underscore this ethereal mood

The Romantic Body

Openwork effects and reworked lace aesthetics in over-the-knee, knee-highs, short socks and leggings styles bring romance to a fast-paced urban lifestyle

The lace look from the days gone by is brought to life in the 21st century with the help of modern technology and the comfort and fit of Lycra fibre

This legwear trend conveying the romantic mood should be worn with short and full skirts, dresses and rounded bloomer type shorts

Favourite colours are white, off-white, pale pastel shades and neutrals

The Graphic Body

Think 1960 vs 2010 - sculptural silhouettes are now a common sight in many designer collections with strong shouldered tailoring teaming up with short dresses, short skirts or cropped skinny trousers where the focus is on the leg

Colour blocking, often in combination with skin tones or classic black and white, is combined with graphic lines and a play of opaque and sheer

A new key look is the biker trouser silhouette either integrated into a pair of tights made with Lycra fibre or on its own

Plus, the heelless and toeless fine gauge short sock where the asymmetric graphic lines stay perfectly in place thanks to the Lycra fibre

Slashed & Perforated

Bold openwork, lace and other transparencies are as key to ready-to-wear as they are to legwear

Opaque, no shine leggings and hosiery have graphic perforations and slashed cut-outs Lycrafibre brings comfort to all-in-ones and leggings

With this trend, strong, abstract slashed and perforated cut-outs are specifically layered over skinny denim leggings showing the highly fashionable look

The colours that complement this trend are black, white and denim blue however bright colours or those in contrasting skin tones work well with this style too

The Lycra fibre brand continues to plays an integral role in legwear providing wearers with the added benefits of comfort, fit and shape. Committed to innovation, the Lycra fibre brand demonstrates new thinking for 2010.