Sashay through flames in fireproof fashions
Wed, September 24 2008
A team of AgResearch textile scientists has worked with 10 of New Zealand’s top fashion designers to create a special collection of garments made from the revolutionary fabrics, based on Merino wool. They include Natural Easy Care 100 per cent wool shirting and suiting fabrics.
“It breathes better than other shirting fabrics and is fully machine washable without the use of chemical treatments for shrink-proofing,” says AgResearch senior scientist Surinder Tandon. “This means that there are significant environmental benefits, which we believe will also be an advantage for retailers eager to serve the needs of discerning, environmentally aware consumers.”
Scientists also demonstrated a world-first technology that can detect a fake designer garment. The textile tracing system called Verifi TT, developed by AgResearch scientists in partnership with Australian company DatatraceDNA, is set to revolutionize international textile markets by eliminating fraud and protecting valuable brands.
Other cutting-edge fabrics include non-woven windproof fleece that carries moisture out through the fabric to keep you dry, yet blocks the wind coming in.
Stab-resistant and flame resistant fabric, produced by combining wool with an ultra-high-strength polymer called Vectran, resists puncture or knife penetration, protects from flames, is lightweight, comfortable to wear and has the benefits of the breathability and comfort of wool as well as flame resistance.
The AgResearch developed fabrics are:
Natural Easy Care 100% wool shirting and suiting fabrics.
Can be thrown in the washing machine and tumble dried. That’s a world first for a wool suit – and it needs no chemicals to prevent shrinking. A new spinning technology allows these fabrics to be made in much lighter weights.
Can be thrown in the washing machine and tumble dried. That’s a world first for a wool suit – and it needs no chemicals to prevent shrinking. A new spinning technology allows these fabrics to be made in much lighter weights.
Non-Woven Windproof Fleece.
Carries moisture out through the fabric to keep you dry, yet blocks the wind. No other wool fabric can do both at once. Other fabrics such as ski parkas do this by having gussets inserted in them.
Carries moisture out through the fabric to keep you dry, yet blocks the wind. No other wool fabric can do both at once. Other fabrics such as ski parkas do this by having gussets inserted in them.
Stab-resistant and flame resistant fabric.
Resists puncture or knife penetration, protects from flames, is lightweight, comfortable to wear and has the benefits of the breathability and comfort of wool. The fabric is made from a knitted Vectran base fabric (a non-cut, ultra high strength liquid crystal polymer).
Resists puncture or knife penetration, protects from flames, is lightweight, comfortable to wear and has the benefits of the breathability and comfort of wool. The fabric is made from a knitted Vectran base fabric (a non-cut, ultra high strength liquid crystal polymer).
Vintage Merino.
Has an aged and washed look, achieved through the innovative use of novel dyeing technology.
Has an aged and washed look, achieved through the innovative use of novel dyeing technology.
Tonal dyeing.
When placed in a one colour dye bath the fabric automatically dyes itself to two tonal colours – one lighter and one darker.
When placed in a one colour dye bath the fabric automatically dyes itself to two tonal colours – one lighter and one darker.
Next-to-Skin fabric.
Novel low-twist superfine merino wool yarn has all the benefits of wool but the softness of cotton and is finer than any other natural fabric on the market. Perfect for next-to-skin apparel (underwear, knitted jersey) with greater softness, warmth and comfort properties than conventional wool counterparts.
Novel low-twist superfine merino wool yarn has all the benefits of wool but the softness of cotton and is finer than any other natural fabric on the market. Perfect for next-to-skin apparel (underwear, knitted jersey) with greater softness, warmth and comfort properties than conventional wool counterparts.
Novel Knit jacketing.
An innovative knit construction with versatile pattering options, which is cost effective to reproduce. Offers applications from casual wear to street wear to formal wear.
An innovative knit construction with versatile pattering options, which is cost effective to reproduce. Offers applications from casual wear to street wear to formal wear.
By Neena Bhandari
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