Performance Days is the leading fabric trade fair for the performance market. The focus of the trend forum for S/S 21, The Beauty of Function, was all about fabrics placing equal emphasis on performance and aesthetic, highlighting a shift away from performance as paramount, where previously the likes of temperature regulation and sustainable water usage have been celebrated. Engineered e-textiles become ever more prominent across fibres, yarns, fabric, print and product. Cross-industry collaboration gives products scientific grounding. Sustainability is a standard. Natural fibre innovation utilizes natural fibres such as respun wool to create the same hand-feel and performance of synthetic fibres. Homespun aesthetics give natural linens a handcrafted and homespun end look.

Fabric manufacturers upgrade fabrics under 100g. Outer surfaces take on a commercial aesthetic with ribs, seersucker and crinkled optics. The fabrics show a summer aesthetic.

The multi-layer fabrics upgrade invisible membranes to highlight reversible jacquard patterns and encourage contrasting reversibility, while still achieving top levels of breathability and DWR. A display of print techniques brings a new commercial option to highly functional 2.5 and three-layer fabrics.

Athleisure fabrics combine function with a natural homespun aesthetic. Factories embrace environmentally friendly dying and recycled fibres. Sustainability becomes omnipresent. Collagen adds comfort.

3D structures encourage quick drying, while inside graphene prints from Movetec aid in temperature regulation. Recycled fibres and performance properties create multitasking styles with multiple end uses. Pattern creates unique, functional structures for breathability, movement and stretch.

Opulent surfaces dominate lightweight fabrics, bringing a fashion-led aesthetic to windproof materials. Crinkled, metallic and pearlescent surfaces are created to be super light and semi-transparent. Sustainability is key for manufacturers, as recycled PES and PA are standard.

Teaming up with tech companies becomes a key theme as e-textiles are accelerated, making them resilient and ready for the e-sports market. A fabric has a high-abrasion cotton hand-feel with a washable carbon nanotube heating membrane that's fuelled by a power bank. The jacket can be controlled by an app which allows for personalised settings and data recording. Isko unveils its latest product offering with Isko Vital advanced woven compression wear, working with the Hohenstein Institute. The technology works by applying pressure to the body, improving blood flow, which aids faster recovery and increased performance.

 

 

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