Hyosung, currently the largest spandex producer in the world with its creora® brand, recently hosted development workshops for its key partner garment vendors and brands in Seoul. At the workshops, it previewed a new creora spandex product and introduced new trends for 2018 combined with fabric concepts using specialty creora spandex and new Hyosung nylon and polyester fibers:
- creora Color+ dyeable spandex for activewear and ready to wear
- creora eco-soft low heat settable spandex for energy savings
- creora Black for blacker blacks without grin through
- Aeroheat™ heat generating polyester
- Mipan Aqua X™ cooling, UV and moisture management nylon
- Cotna™ soft, natural-touch polyester with good pilling resistance
- Freshgear™ odor neutralizing polyester
Said President Hyun-Joon Cho: “As Hyosung is a global leader in textiles with an extensive portfolio of innovative fibers, we want to provide our partners with competitive advantage. We have conducted similar workshops in Europe, Americas and other Asian countries. We are striving to deliver on the creora brand promise of superior customer support as the global leader in quality, technology and service.”
Key ready to wear trends for 2018
Unified: The ongoing trend for lighter weight qualities teamed with a natural touch continues to push a hybrid direction on the ready-to-wear front, with creora spandex/elastane providing the fit and comfort these new qualities require. Surface fabrics range from compact and smooth through to irregular textures derived from an organic inspiration. The synergy of this direction of natural, man-made and synthetic yarns is further enhanced through the inclusion of creora eco-soft, the low heat settable spandex/elastane that works exceptionally well with the cellulosic fibers, resulting in a continuing soft hand feel. The overall mood of this direction is gentle and soft, applied to comfort applications through to high-power stretch qualities.
Alternate Appeal: Attention to detail promotes a new direction, as the knitwear sector in both circular and warp knits mimics the tradition of classic weaves, but with a twist. Following the direction of denim, where knitted denim is hard to differentiate from authentic woven denim, the other aspects of the woven world will inspire a new generation of knits with creora spandex/elastane. From classic tweeds to traditional twills, chevron structures to bird’s eye, the optical appearance will be clear to see whether it is from the construction of the fabrics through clever yarn use or simply from the advances in printing technology.
Tenacious: An urban aspect continues to feature in the ready-to-wear market, but it is no longer confined to jeans and hoodies. A more sophisticated approach is being taken as the market looks to the activewear market for the key functionalities. This direction is a step up from athleisure. Tenacious is about smart fashion, steadfastly emerging onto the ready-to-wear scene in both the knit and woven sectors. creora spandex/elastane is the key to delivering one of the key functions, comfort fit, teaming with the natural and synthetic aspect of this direction. Performance features from smart yarns and finishes in delivering, as the consumer comprehends the benefits of UV protection, moisture management, thermal regulation and cool touch that have established in the activewear market. Recycled synthetic fibers and sustainable finishes also feature, as this socially caring consumer demands brands to deliver on this front.
Additionally, there is a strong social awareness, as sustainability comes through.
Mismatch: ‘A little bit of this, a little bit of that’ inspires the mood for Mismatch. Ready-to-wear needs an injection of color and fun, with brands needing to update their offerings and catch the consumer eye. Best-selling black continues to feature, but bold colors bring it in line for a new offering.
From the simple addition of bold graphics to more innovative structured knits, creora Color+ is the essential partner in ensuring vibrant tones. Luster ranges from intense matte through to a brave use of luminosity achieved through synthetic yarn use or bright finishes. A geometric formation features in comfort to power stretch jacquards and prints.. This direction is set to give ready-to-wear a push in reclaiming its position in delivering great fashion that will appeal to the consumer.
Key trends for activewear 2018
Nourish It! : A surge of well-being and harmony collide as a natural nuance in fabric inspiration goes up to a new level. Performance is par for the course in the softer aspects of sports as natural touch fabrics deliver a welcoming embrace, enhanced by discreet function from the inclusion of creora spandex. From quick dry to moisture management, fabrics in this sector have body, from featherweight knits requiring the stability of creora eco-soft spandex through to power stretch compression knits for shaping and control. Soft velvety, brushed touch features, there is still a strong sense of gentleness, but it is now complemented with discreet performance factors.
Fabric structures pull from the relief of coral through to the hexagonal aspect of honeycomb. A raw and irregular appeal features, this direction doesn’t have to be perect, optically enhanced through contrasting yarns to create an illusive textural effect. Prints play a key role in taking this direction to a new level.
Work It! : It is time to get energized from the outside in, as high impact activities are enhanced by a new level of performance fabrics. Fashion, function and fit interact with the body, complemented with an explosion of color and textures in pushing performance to new heights, creating an exhilarating experience all round for the wearer.
Pure performance is worked to the full with moisture management, quick dry and compression aspects key to getting the most out of high impact activities and protecting the wearer. Fabric structure ranges from compact and precise with compression using creora color+ dyeable spandex for colors. This is multi-functional at its finest, not just from the brand ingredients and structures of the fabrics, but through the final garment design. Mix and match solid fabrics and prints, the use of vibrant colors enhances the look combined with a stronger feminine style through cutout and inserts.
Own It! : Into the intense workout arena, this direction pushes forward the premium elements of activewear.. creora black leads the way as compression fabrics embrace the muscular structure of the body in generating hardcore fabrics that will withstand the physical elements and aid the wearer in beating the most severe obstacles and enduring the most extreme of sports. Through the interaction of the body and the multi-functional fabrics on offer, this direction is certain to meet the demands of adrenalin junkies in reaching their goals.
It is tough and resistant, not just in structure but also in color palette. Keep tones deep, contrasting with sharp tones. Warp knits feature for their ability for clean cut finishes, eliminating uncomfortable seams, with heat bonding replacing traditional cut and sew. With a dark side featuring, optical and textural detail features through laminated prints, innovative structures and punch out effects.
Live It! : Fashion and functionality come into the foray on the activewear front as the desire for well-being continues in force. This direction takes the core performance ingredients and works them into an urban sports direction as well as delivering to the growing athleisure market. The consumer wants the comfort and performance of activewear to blend seamlessly into the daywear. They want all the key benefits but with a strong fashion twist. Additionally, a strong desire for sustainability features as we live life to the full.
This direction also takes on a serious active approach as bi-stretch denim knits, and shaping jog jeans deliver an alternative option to the dedicated sports aficionados who want a different look to the traditional offering, and the traditional hoody goes off the scale on performance.
Hyosung Corporation is one of Korea’s leading multinational conglomerates. Hyosung maintains a global network of more than 70 subsidiaries and international branch offices around the globe, operating in seven performance groups: Textiles, Industrial Materials, Chemicals, Power & Industrial Systems, Construction, Trading and Information & Communication.
