Invista is to exhibit its latest intimate apparel and swimwear innovations featuring Lycra 2.0 garment technology and Xtra Life Lycra fibre at the Mode City fair in Paris, which starts tomorrow.

Displaying prototypes of intimate apparel garments made by world-class intimate producers Regina Miracle and MAS Holdings, all garments showcased will have incorporated Invista’s most recent innovation in the intimate apparel world, Lycra 2.0 garment technology.  Also profiled at the event will be Willy Hermann’s collection of Superfine fabrics using Lycra Xtra Fine Collection fibre and bonded with Lycra 2.0 tape.

During the three day event, visitors will also be able to view a swimwear display which includes futuristic swimsuits created by renowned swimwear makers Fook Wah, Bogart, Linea Aqua and Phael. All garments were featured at the runway show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami and are made with fabrics containing Xtra Life Lycra fibre.

In addition to the prototypes on display, latest commercial adoptions of swimwear made with Black Xtra Life Lycra, Xtra Life Lycra and Lycra fibres will be showcased on garment rails. Alongside will also be intimate apparel collections made with Lycra Black, Lycra Xtra Fine Collection and Lycra fibres as well as Lycra freshFX fabric.

Consumer survey results

Since its introduction to the market last year, Lycra 2.0 garment technology has generated excitement and positive reviews from consumers and brands alike. A dynamic reader study conducted in 2009 by a leading women’s lifestyle magazine involved 185 U.S. women who trialled the Cacique Back Smoothing Bra, exclusively by Lane Bryant, with Lycra 2.0 garment technology.

The study demonstrated that 80 percent of the respondents rated their overall satisfaction as excellent or good, and 87 percent rated their satisfaction with the bra’s overall style and appearance as excellent or good. When told that the bra uses Lycra 2.0 garment technology, 86 percent of respondents had a very positive or positive opinion about Lycra 2.0 garment technology.

“It’s exciting to watch consumers and brands discover the inherent benefits in garments with our Lycra 2.0 garment technology,” said Ninabeth Sowell, global marketing director of intimate apparel and swimwear segment for Invista. “It’s also encouraging to see that consumers continue to recognize the added benefits that Lycra fibre brings to a product.”

Lycra 2.0 garment technology

Lycra 2.0 garment technology uses heat-activated bonding techniques to enable the creation of stitch-free garments that combine sleek, smooth aesthetics with the Lycra fibre brand promise of comfort, lasting fit and freedom of movement. Now, INVISTA is offering this innovative technology in a family of three distinct products:

-          Lycra 2.0 tape T070 is designed with power and recovery suitable to replace narrow elastics

-          Lycra 2.0 tape B040 is designed with the power and recovery for smooth, non-buckling seams. (Both are new products that bond at low activation temperatures, which can reduce the chance of fabric overexposure to heat and can potentially reduce energy usage.)

-          Lycra 2.0 film H020 is designed for wide applications where the customer can “cut to shape”, for garments requiring large areas of coverage or curved and custom-sized areas.

New commercial programme

In addition to exciting and futuristic concept garment collections, the latest commercial programmes launched featuring Lycra 2.0 tapes and film will be showcased at Invista’s exhibit.

Two leading Brazilian brands, Duloren and Hope, are expected to launch new bra and panty collections over the next year. Duloren is targeting products for the mid-priced mainstream market, which will go to specialty stores, supermarkets, and mass retailers this autumn. Hope is expected to introduce both daytime and fashion printed styles, one of which is made with an ultra-lightweight fabric containing Lycra Xtra Fine Collection fibre. Hope sells through its own exclusive stores, as well as through specialty stores.

An exciting new programme at retail in the U.S. market is the Cacique Back Smoothing Bra, made exclusively by Lane Bryant.  Consumer feedback has been very positive for this new product which went on sale in July online and in Lane Bryant stores from mid-August.

Xtra Life Lycra fibre

Xtra Life Lycra fibre has recently expanded to global swimwear markets, reaching North and South America, Asia, and Europe. This expansion provides mills, designers and retailers greater access to this innovative fibre technology, making it easier to specify in local markets. Leading mills in North America and Europe, as well as key swimwear suppliers in South America and Asia have agreed to upgrade the majority of their swimwear offerings. 

“Brand owners are asking for differentiation, performance and value, benefits that Invista products such as Xtra Life Lycra fiber and Lycra 2.0 garment technology can bring,” Sowell said.