WILMINGTON, Del.– The LYCRA Company, a frontrunner in creating innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the fashion industry, announced that it will showcase its bio-derived LYCRA EcoMade Fiber Launch at Kingpins Amsterdam on April 16-17. Attendees can view denim samples that incorporate seed quantities of this renewable elastane at their booth in Blue Area 11. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to experience an engaging virtual reality journey that illustrates the product’s transformation from farm to fiber.
Set for commercial release later this year, the bio-derived LYCRA EcoMade fiber, produced using QIRA®, will be derived from annually renewable dent corn sourced from Iowa. This provides transparency regarding raw material origins and serves as a sustainable alternative aimed at minimizing the environmental footprint of apparel. Composed of 70 percent renewable content, this innovative fiber has the potential to decrease the carbon footprint of LYCRA fiber by up to 44 percent*, while maintaining equivalent performance to the original LYCRA fiber. It serves as a direct replacement requiring no alteration in fabric, processing, or garment design.
“Our customers and their consumers are increasingly seeking products that not only meet high-performance standards but also align with their sustainability values,” remarked Arnaud Ruffin, The LYCRA Company’s vice president of brands and retail. “Bio-derived LYCRA EcoMade fiber represents a significant step forward in providing sustainable solutions without compromising on quality, and we are excited to share this innovative fiber with the denim industry at Kingpins Amsterdam.”
The “7 Styles for 7 Days” initiative at Kingpins highlights how stretch denim made with bio-derived LYCRA EcoMade fiber can revolutionize men’s and women’s wardrobes throughout the week, providing enduring comfort, fit, and shape while minimizing environmental impact. This exhibit is a collaborative effort between The LYCRA Company and Diamond Denim, a division of the Pakistan-based Sapphire Group, aimed at advancing both companies’ sustainability goals. The exhibit can be seen at both companies’ stands.
ORTA, a Turkish denim manufacturer, will also display samples incorporating bio-derived LYCRA EcoMade fiber along with regenerative cotton at its booth. Sebla Onder, ORTA’s marketing and sustainability manager, expressed optimism about the positive market response to their capsule collection launched in late 2024, indicating the industry’s readiness for substantial change. “We are thrilled that Citizens of Humanity Group, one of our respected premium brand partners, has sourced this sustainable fabric for their AGOLDE brand, and we eagerly anticipate consumer reaction to this collection in the coming months. We are also looking forward to new, strong brand collaborations emerging from this amazing partnership,” she stated.
LYCRA FitSense denim technology, which made its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam last April, is once again being featured this year. This innovative, patented solution provides a tailored fit for different body types by integrating discreet, targeted shaping zones, allowing designers to choose specific areas for shaping, support, and lift. This innovation enhances consumer confidence and comfort in their jeans. Building on this advancement, SPANX achieved a significant milestone in denim fit evolution with the successful introduction of the world’s first commercial program featuring SPANXsculpt ReDefine denim in January.
For the fourth consecutive year, the LYCRA brand has partnered with the House of Denim Foundation and students from the Jean School to present the exhibition “Stretch Yourself #4: Denim of the Future, Designed by Gen Z.” Each student designer will showcase a denim garment utilizing innovative fabrics powered by The LYCRA Company’s technologies, including COOLMAX EcoMade fiber. This celebration of creativity aligns perfectly with the goals of the LYCRA EcoMade Fiber Launch, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability in the fashion industry.
