2025 Quarterly Issue III

Ollivier

Ultrafabrics, New York City, has named Caroline Ollivier senior director of Trade Marketing.

England-based textile manufacturer Think Group named Rachel Douglas Phillips Technical and Sustainability manager. She will lead the development of new products in collaboration with customers as well as guide businesses on sustainability within the nonwoven industry.

Kerley

Standard Textile Co. Inc., Cincinnati, has appointed Frank Kerley vice president of its Textile Division. He will oversee strategic direction, growth initiatives and operational performance across the Healthcare and Hospitality textile markets.

Germany-based KARL MAYER recently appointed Hagen Lotzmann managing director and president of the Karl Mayer Technical Textiles business unit. In other company news, Axel Wintermeyer was named president of Karl Mayer’s Warp Knitting business.

Scott Blackadar has joined South Korea-based Hyosung as Personal Healthcare Global leader. Based In Philadelphia and working from the Hyosung’s Charlotte, N.C., office he will manage the company’s global sales team promoting Hyosung’s specialty fibers in the healthcare market.

Evans

Dr. Eric Evans was named the Board of Directors chair for the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), Cambridge, Mass.

Atlanta-based brrr° has announced two new appointments. Christopher Heyn transitioned from executive chairman to CEO; and David Ludd has joined the company as vice president of Sales and Marketing.

Roebuck

Catherine Roebuck has joined England-based dyeing, printing and Roebuck finishing
company Pincroft as Business Development manager. She will focus on supporting the company’s growing military and defense portfolio, as well as expanding its wide com-mission finishing services.

Jen Hanna has joined Carbitex, Kennewick, Wash., as vice president of U.S. sales.

Paris-based Lectra has promoted Maximilien Abadie to deputy CEO responsible for Lectra’s software as a service (SaaS) activities.

Weatherill

Geneva-based Better Cotton has announced Nick Weatherill as CEO. He will work with outgoing CEO Alan McClay to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Herculite Products Inc., Emigsville, Pa., has promoted Mike Stephenson to director of Manufacturing.

Toronto-based Cobmex Apparel Inc., a provider of high-performance knitwear for the uniform industry, has named Jon Edberg president and COO. He succeeds Founder and President Phil Newman who will assume the role of CEO.

Fire-Dex, Medina, Ohio, has named Ben Pfahl chief information officer.

(left to right): Connelly Sr.’s brother and wife, Wes and Pat Connelly; AATCC President Christina Rapa; and Connelly Sr.’s wife Lynn and son Lee at the dedication.

AATCC ColorLab Dedicated To Roland L. Connelly Sr.

The American Association of Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Durham, N.C., recently dedicated its newly refurbished ColorLab to Roland L. Connelly Sr. He had a more than 40-year career in the textile industry focused on all aspects of color management and control beginning working at Burlington Industries, X-Rite Inc. and GretagMacbeth, as well as owning several of his own companies. During his career, Connelly was very involved with AATCC.

He held leadership roles including president, he was chair of the RA36 Color Measurement Committee, and a member of AATCC’s board of directors. He was honored with the AATCC Chapin Service Award, played a significant role in the AATCC Foundation, and was instrumental in developing workshops and several AATCC standards.

AATCC held a dedication ceremony where Connelly was honored in the presence of some of his family members and close friends. He owned a personal spectrophotometer that was generously donated to the AATCC lab by his wife Lynn.

2025 Quarterly Issue III

Procell: Fermented Fiber

The sweater features a yarn made using 50-percent Procell/50-percent wool

Created from spent yeast, protein-based fiber Procell offers properties similar to those of wool.

By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

As the increase in alternative and sustainable materials for textile applications grows, so does the list of interesting raw material inputs.

Initially inspired by squid proteins and with funding from BioMADE, Philadelphia-based climate-positive smart textiles company Tandem Repeat Technologies Inc. has created Procell, a yarn that begins its life as low-cost spent yeast. This protein-based fiber mimics the properties offered by wool, with none of the ethical concerns relating to animal cruelty, water pollution and land degredation.

Squid ring teeth is a self-assembling protein complex found in squid tentacles. “We initially extracted the genes from squid and heterologously expressed then in yeast through precision fermentation,” explained Dr. Melik Demirel, co-founder of Tandem Repeat and Huck Endowed Chair Professor of Biomimetic Materials at The Pennsylvania State University. “However, we later found that biomass fermentation of yeast is more straightforward and cost-effective for producing commodity protein fibers.”

This protein biomanufacturing approach takes the living yeast cells and transforms them into valuable products — such as textile fibers or nonwovens — using a patented fermentation microbial process. Temperature, pH, nutrient availability and microbial strain selection is carefully controlled to maximize yields, titers and productivity to ensure the process is sustainable and economically viable.

According to Tandem Repeat, Procell’s greenhouse gas emission footprint of 5.39 kilograms (kg) of carbon dioxide per kg, water usage of 0.52 cubic meters per kg and land usage of 12.4 points per kg are lower than other natural fibers including cotton, lyocell and wool.

The denim is made using a 15-percent Procell/85-percent cotton blend.

Processing Procell

Procell fibers are created using traditional wet spinning processes that are used in man-made cellulosic fiber production. From there, the staple fibers are spun into yarns, and Procell may be blended with other fiber types during spinning. “We have combined natural fibers like cotton and wool, as well as synthetics such as polyester to produce several garments,” Dr. Demirel noted. Initial apparel included a cotton blend dress and denim items, followed later by sweaters that can be purchased through the company’s own brand, Sonachic. “Procell can be crafted for various constructions, and we have developed both knitted and woven fabrics,” Dr. Demirel said. Procell has also been used to create nonwoven fabrics.

According to Tandem Repeat the fiber is soft and resembles a luxury wool such as cashmere. The 100-percent vegan, sustainable protein fiber is stronger than wool, but offers warmth, lightweight and breathability equal to or better than wool, and offers similar thermal conductivity. The company’s goal is to produce Procell at a cost lower than that of wool.

Dr. Demirel sees applications beyond textiles for Procell. “Our goal is to expand into other markets, including the leather, cosmetics, paper and pulp, and construction industries,” he said. “Protein fibers can serve effectively as feedstocks for all these sectors.”

Tandem’s research was supported by funding from BioMADE, an Emeryville, Calif.-based Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, and member of the Manufacturing USA® network tasked with creating large-scale, public-private collaboration to advance manufacturing. “With support from BioMADE, we were able to reach a higher level of technological readiness in our industry where deep-tech advances thrive with government backing and venture capital funding remains limited,” Dr. Demirel noted.

For more information, e-mail contact@ tandemrepeat.com

2025 Quarterly Issue III

Integris Composites Unveils Campus Ballistic Shield For School Shooting Response

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — August 25, 2025 — Integris Composites — a global supplier of armor protection for military, police and security — today introduced a ballistic shield designed for storage in schools to provide police protective equipment during active shooter incidents.

The Campus Response Shield, rated Level III+, debuted at the National Tactical Officers Association annual conference and trade show along with two other tactical shields, at Booth 825 in the Gaylord National Resort exhibit hall.

Kim Mcneely Demonstrating Shield

“This is the first time we’ve exhibited directly to law enforcement and the first tactical shield developed specifically for U.S. agencies,” said Kim McNeely, director of business development.

The Campus Response Shield is part of the emerging “situational armor” category — physical protection pre-installed in public spaces vulnerable to assaults or terrorist attacks. In January, Integris introduced the Concealed Response Shield System, featuring a shield hidden in a cabinet for rapid access by police and security personnel responding to an active shooter.

The new shield is being offered to school officials in Texas, where state law now requires every public and open-charter school to keep at least one ballistic shield on campus. The Uvalde Strong Act, enacted in June, mandates improvements to school safety infrastructure — including ballistic shields — and updated response protocols. The law, effective September 1, was passed after the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

“Today, Integris is not only working closely with public-interest organizations to address school violence, but we’re also engaging SWAT teams and other government organizations to develop innovative protection during attacks. We believe our contribution to situational armor is essential to protect innocent people,” McNeely said.

Three police shields launched

The 10-pound Campus Response Shield is the lightest of three Level III ballistic shields introduced to U.S. law enforcement today. Integris also presented the 13-pound Level III Fuse Shield for rapid deployment teams and the 20.9-pound Magnetic Shield, engineered for instant attachment to doors or vehicles.

All three shields meet National Institute of Justice Standard 0101.06 ballistic threat ratings.

“Our competitive advantage is not only the lower cost of these shields compared to similar products, but also the product development with direct input by operators,” said Tristan Cordova, director of business development.

“The composite Campus Response Shield is compact and lightweight, optimized for mobility and offers multi-strike stopping power against the three threats that qualify it as offering NIJ Level III+ protection,” Cordova said.

The shield is tested to stop:

  • 7.62x51mm NATO M80 ball ammunition, a general-purpose military cartridge used by NATO forces.
  • 7.62x39mm PS ball ammunition, designed for AK-47 rifles and widely used globally.
  • 5.56x45mm M193, the original standard cartridge for M16 rifles, commonly deployed internationally.

Tier One status

Integris Composites has delivered armor and survivability solutions for 30 years, producing body armor plates for soldiers through U.S. military contracts and to law enforcement agencies through leading police suppliers.

The company holds Tier One supplier credentials with aerospace original equipment manufacturers and prime defense contractors worldwide. Recently Integris was chosen as the armor systems supplier for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft helicopter program and for the MH-139 Grey Wolf with Boeing, among other awards. Tier One suppliers are recognized for advanced technical capabilities, quality standards and major aircraft system design, engineering and integration responsibility.

Integris is a global engineering company specializing in composite armor for land vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, protective housings for optronics and other sensitive technologies, and personal protection. Formerly TenCate Advanced Armor, Integris rebranded in 2023 and has earned a reputation for innovative survivability solutions.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Integris Composites, Inc.

Urban Outfitters Launches Second Iteration Of On Rotation With Levi’s®

PHILADELPHIA — August 25, 2025 — Urban Outfitters is proud to introduce the second season of On Rotation, its immersive and ever-evolving in-store experience spotlighting Gen Z’s favorite brands. This time, UO teams up with Levi’s® to create a one-of-a-kind denim destination that  blends Levi’s® iconic styles with UO’s distinct point of view. On Rotation: Levi’s® lands online and in five Urban Outfitters locations nationwide August 22 through September 30.

Urban Outfitters: On Rotation: Levi’s

This partnership builds on UO’s approach to experiential retail, creating spaces that spark inspiration and invite customers to explore fresh perspectives in fashion, culture, and style. Infused with the energy of a vintage flea market, the concept brings together the latest Levi’s®, including 501® 90s, 501 Curve, Baggy Dad, Super Baggy Barrel, and Low Loose for her, and 578™ Baggy and 568™ Loose Straight for him. The collection includes a selected mix of vintage finds, including highly sought-after paper tag jeans and jackets curated by Levi’s and the UO’s Vintage & ReMade teams.

“Urban Outfitters has always been rooted in discovery, and our On Rotation installation with Levi’s takes that to the next level,” said Cyntia Leo, Head of Brand Marketing at Urban Outfitters. “We’ve built a space that feels uniquely UO and gives our community an immersive destination they can’t get anywhere else.”

The launch will kick off with a flagship event in Austin, Texas, on August 23, transforming the store and courtyard into a lively, denim-fueled market complete with Levi’s® Tailor Shop customization, local vintage vendor pop-ups, live music, and bites from a favorite neighborhood spot. The experience will also roll out to Walnut Creek, Las Vegas, New York City (Broadway), and Miami Beach, where each store will host its own version of the On Rotation buildout with community-driven activations and locally inspired storytelling.

“Our customers have always loved denim that feels both timeless and fresh, and Levi’s On Rotation delivers just that,” said Marybeth Cahill, chief merchandising officer. “From classic 501s to rare archival pieces, the assortment offers the full spectrum — all curated through the distinct Urban Outfitters point of view.”

On Rotation, newly launched in May 2025 with Nike, delivers what today’s customer wants, an experience that is fun, engaging, and rooted in discovery. Built to evolve with each featured brand, the platform pairs curated products with immersive storytelling and design.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Urban Outfitters

 

Meridian To Divest Flooring Business, Including Taylor Adhesives, Polycom, And Frontier Products, To Avery Dennison

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — August 25, 2025 — Meridian announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Flooring Adhesives Division — including the Taylor Adhesives, Polycom, and Frontier Products brands — to Avery Dennison.

Upon closing, the Flooring Business will be integrated into Avery Dennison’s Materials Group business, positioning the brands for accelerated innovation and expanded reach.

“This transaction is the culmination of years of successful growth and value created in our leading Flooring Division,” said Daniel Pelton, CEO of Meridian. “We’re pleased to enter into this agreement with Avery Dennison as we believe that their scale and innovation capabilities will accelerate the future growth of the division. For Meridian, this is a strategic move — focusing the company on the global growth of our remaining portfolio.”

Ralph Grogan, Commercial president of Flooring, added: “We look forward to seeing our brands thrive with Avery Dennison’s support. Our customers can expect the same people, products, and service they know today — now backed by even more investment and resources.”

Meridian will work closely with Avery Dennison to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for employees, customers, and partners. Additional details will be communicated as the process advances.

“Meridian’s flooring division is a high-performing business that is an excellent fit with Avery Dennison and Materials Group,” said Ryan Yost, president, Materials Group. “This acquisition will expand our presence in high-value product lines that will further accelerate our growth strategy. We look forward to welcoming Meridian’s flooring team to Avery Dennison.”

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Meridian Adhesives Group

Safety Components Announces Independent Testing Program For Fabrics Manufactured With PFZero™

GREENVILLE, S.C. — August 25, 2025 — Safety Components, a developer of fabric technologies that move the industry forward, is announcing the launch of an independent fluorine chemicals testing program for all National Fire Protection Association certified fabric manufactured with its PFZero™ finish, the first non-fluorinated durable water repellent finish developed specifically for PPE fabrics. This independent testing program supports the Company’s recently updated PFZero™ Fabric Assurance policy and underscores our commitment to transparency, quality, and confidence across our product lines.

The independent testing program will utilize randomized sampling to ensure swatches represent the full scope of each production lot. All samples will then be submitted to accredited third-party laboratories  for independent verification using scientifically recognized methods capable of detecting fluorine at trace levels.

If any independent test indicates the presence of intentionally-added fluorine chemicals, Safety Components will immediately investigate and implement corrective action before any material is shipped or additional lots are manufactured. The independent testing program will be conducted in addition to and does not otherwise replace any testing requirements required by law, regulation, or customer-specific standards.

“Safety Components is dedicated to manufacturing all our National Fire Protection Association certified fabrics finished with our PFZero™ treatment so that they are free from intentionally added fluorinated chemicals, including C6,” said Guy Lucas, president, Burlington & Safety Components. “This independent testing program reflects our rigorous quality assurance and our commitment to the health and safety of first responders and the environment.”

Full details of the testing policy can be found on the Safety Components website at: https://safetycomponents.com/.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Elevate Textiles

MAGIC New York Returns, Uniting Top Brands with Retail Powerhouses

NEW YORK CITY — August 19, 2025 — MAGIC New York returns to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center September 14-16, 2025, offering fashion professionals a vital platform to discover new products, identify upcoming trends and develop meaningful industry relationships before the next selling seasons. This three-day event continues to serve as an essential resource for retailers, designers and brands looking to strengthen their market position through strategic sourcing and networking opportunities in one of fashion’s most influential cities.

The event will unite thousands of young contemporary, trend and modern sportswear apparel, footwear, and accessory brands with retail buyers from across the country, creating a dynamic marketplace for discovery and business development.

Elevated Buyer Experiences

MAGIC New York continues to draw a powerful roster of retail decision-makers, with an impressive lineup of registered buyers for the upcoming edition. Major national retailers including Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Footlocker will be present alongside fashion-forward brands like Shopbop, Hemline, Rent the Runway, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. This diverse mix of retail participants represents significant buying power across multiple consumer segments, from contemporary fashion to trend and lifestyle categories.

The strong retailer presence underscores MAGIC New York’s essential role as a connection point between brands and key accounts, offering exhibitors direct access to buyers who shape the retail landscape across the globe.

Complementing this focus on meaningful business relationships, the Brand Curation area will serve as a specialized matchmaking hub where buyers with specific product requirements are strategically paired with relevant exhibitors, further enhancing the show’s ability to facilitate targeted business opportunities.

Industry Pioneers Unite 

“MAGIC New York serves as the ultimate trend incubator where the industry’s most innovative brands and forward-thinking retailers converge to define what’s next in fashion,” says Jordan Rudow, vice president of MAGIC. “What truly sets MAGIC apart is our commitment to fostering those critical relationships between emerging and established brands and the retail partners who bring these collections to life in the marketplace. These connections formed at MAGIC don’t just drive business today—they actively shape the direction of fashion retail for seasons to come.”

Among the distinguished exhibitors at this year’s MAGIC New York, attendees can expect to find an impressive lineup of both established and emerging brands. Industry leading brands include Gentle Souls by Kenneth Cole, Maggy London, Barefoot Dreams, Betsey Johnson, English Factory, Things Between, Hidden Jeans and Little Words Project.

Immersive Attendee Experiences

Attendees will discover immersive experiences throughout the show floor, designed to inspire creativity and foster meaningful connections. The Hub functions as a central destination for complimentary services including professional hair and makeup touch-ups, personalized fashion illustrations, and hands-on DIY workshops.

The MAGIC Social House serves as the event’s vibrant community center, hosting a comprehensive lineup of educational sessions including exclusive trend presentations focused on young contemporary market directions. The Social House also returns with an energetic opening night fashion show at 5:30 pm on September 14, followed by a networking happy hour, creating an atmosphere for industry relationship building.

For more information about MAGIC New York or to register to attend, visit www.magicfashionevents.com.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Informa Markets, A Subsidiary Of Informa plc

Global Textile Research Themes To Converge At The 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025)

MANCHESTER, England — August 26, 2025 — The full program for the 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025) has now been announced, with over 100 presentations to be delivered in parellel sessions at the event, which takes place from October 7-10 at the Porto Palácio Hotel and Spa in Porto, Portugal.

In a comprehensive and truly international program, the close collaboration between researchers on separate continents will be highlighted, with a major focus on the further development of technologies and practices assisting in the need for advanced fiber-to-fiber recycling as a means of accelerating a circular textiles economy.

Research teams working continents apart are arriving at strikingly similar solutions — circularity, digital integration, cleaner chemistry and human-centerd reform are all critical. These interlocking themes will define this year’s conference.

Circularity will be one of the most prominent concepts underpinning the program and researchers from Manchester in the United Kingdom, for example, will share their evaluation of end-of-life garments and show how almost half of those currently sent to waste could be channeled into advanced recycling.

From Chemnitz in Germany, new knitting technology will be presented that allows higher proportions of recycled content in cotton fabrics while retaining softness and durability.

Case studies from Bangladesh and Pakistan will meanwhile explore how local enterprises are already adopting closed-loop systems and circular business innovations, with recycled yarns reaching the supply chains of major global brands.

Taken together, the many presentations addressing circularity will demonstrate how waste is beginning to shift from a burden to a new raw material, while also pointing to the infrastructure and policies that will be needed to make such systems commercially viable.

Alongside this, the conference will also highlight the revolution now taking place in digitalization.

Far from being a niche domain of design software, digital tools are becoming the backbone of sustainability itself. Work will be presented on blockchain, digital product passports and RFID systems that trace garments throughout their lifecycle, strengthening consumer trust and helping businesses meet new regulatory requirements.

New methods of digital textile printing and open-source knitting software will also be discussed, offering designers the ability to localize production and work with greater creative agency.

The message of these projects is clear — digitalization is not an add-on to sustainability but one of its primary enablers.

Perhaps most significant at TWIC 2025 will be the attention given to the human dimension of sustainability.

In Sri Lanka, small and medium-sized apparel manufacturers will be shown to face critical health and safety risks as climate change brings rising temperatures, air pollution and extreme weather. A new assessment tool will be introduced which is helping firms build resilience and protect workers.

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance will also demonstrate how cashmere herders, traders and processors in Mongolia are being engaged in a collective effort to reduce rangeland degradation and safeguard livelihoods.

UK fashion educators will further share approaches to preparing the next generation to embrace circular models and ethical consumerism, equipping future designers to balance profit with responsibility. At the consumer end, new research will reveal misalignments between brand recommendations for garment care and the behavior actually adopted by wearers, showing that communication must evolve.

“These examples will remind delegates that technology and recycling alone cannot deliver sustainability without parallel shifts in culture, education and policy,” said Textile Institute CEO Stephanie Dick. “The global nature of the challenges facing textiles is already widely acknowledged and climate change, waste, toxic chemicals, unsafe labour practices and consumer over consumption have combined to make fashion and textiles one of the world’s most scrutinized industries. What will emerge from this conference, however, is an unmistakable sense of convergence and solid progress.”

Abstracts from the full conference program can be consulted here:

https://www.textileinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Author-List-2.pdf

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: The Textile Institute

Welspun’s New Home Linen Campaign With Vidya Balan Encourages Consumer To Make Smarter Choices

MUMBAI, India — August 25, 2025 — Welspun Living Ltd. (WLL), a global supplier of home textiles and a part of India’s fastest growing global conglomerate Welspun World, today announced the launch of its latest campaign, ‘Kyunki Farq Padta Hai’. As part of the campaign, the brand launched two films starring talented actor Vidya Balan in a playful horror-comedy avatar, blending nostalgia, humor, and just a touch of spook to show why quality home linen really matters.

In a market crowded with ‘one-size-fits-all’ options, Welspun’s new campaign aims to drive home a simple truth, that product quality makes a difference. Drawing on familiar habits of choosing ‘cheaper’ or unbranded products, the film playfully flips the script, using the tagline ‘Kyunki Farq Padta Hai’ (‘Because it makes a difference’) to remind consumers that the right choice can change everything.

Conceptualized by ^a t o m network, the campaign’s short films feature Welspun’s QuikDry® Towels and Purekot Bedsheets. Each film has its own storyline, but both follow a fun supernatural twist, an unexpected “ghostly” intervention that nudges characters (and viewers) toward better choices. With punchy dialogues, cinematic visuals, and Vidya’s unmistakable charm, the message is clear: when it comes to what touches your skin and what you bring into your home, quality always makes a difference.

Speaking about the campaign, Dipali Goenka, managing director and CEO of Welspun Living, said: “Every homemaker knows that what we bring into our homes is not just about utility. It is about trust, care, and something that lasts for years. Every purchase is thoughtful, and quality is what gives peace of mind. ‘Kyunki Farq Padta Hai’ is our way of saying that the small differences in quality make a big difference in everyday life whether it’s comfort, durability, or the feeling of pride when guests come home. With this campaign, we wanted to go beyond just talking about products and instead celebrate the choices women make every day to keep their homes warm, welcoming, and enduring. And with Vidya, who embodies the strength and relatability of the Indian homemaker, we have the perfect voice to tell this story of care, longevity, and authenticity.”

Actor Vidya Balan added: “I’ve heard ‘kya farq padta hai’ so often, and every time I’ve wanted to say what this film says, yes, farq padta hai! Between ordinary and better, random and reliable. I had a great time bringing that emotion alive with a bit of drama, a bit of comedy, and a lot of truth.”

Yash Kulshreshtha, co-founder and chief creative officer at ^a t o m network, explained: “We took a real consumer habit, the belief that everyday linen doesn’t need to be branded, and gave it a theatrical spin with cultural flavour and Vidya’s screen presence. It’s storytelling designed not just to create awareness, but to shift preferences.”

The campaign is now live across TV, digital, print, outdoor, and social media, and aims to reach millions of households in urban and semi-urban India. It reflects Welspun’s larger mission, to create products that make everyday living better, both in function and in feel.

With Kyunki Farq Padta Hai, Welspun isn’t just telling people what makes its products better, it’s making them smile, laugh, and feel the difference.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Welspun Living Ltd. (WLL), part of the $5 Bn Welspun World

Venus Williams Debuts Custom LUAR x Woolmark Merino Wool Performance Kit At The 2025 U.S. Open

NEW YORK CITY — August 25, 2025 — Tennis icon Venus Williams made her U.S. Open return in a merino wool performance kit designed by LUAR in partnership with Woolmark. The collaboration brings together high fashion, elite sport, and natural performance innovation to challenge conventional expectations of both tenniswear and wool.

Venus Williams is seen during The Stars Of The Open exhibition match on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 21, 2025 in Flushing Queens. Credit: Mpi04/Media Punch/Alamy Live News

“We will continue our commitment to wool because we see its strengths: tech, versatility and legacy,” said LUAR designer Raul Lopez. “It’s why Venus chose wool for her U.S. Open kit — the fiber’s natural performance qualities make it ideal for athletes, while its elegance translates seamlessly into fashion. Woolmark has been a key partner in our growth, and wool remains a fabric of choice across our collections.”

Designed by LUAR, a Woolmark licensee and finalist in the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, the performance kit showcases Merino wool’s versatility through two distinct looks and functional wool accessories:

  • Look 1: A striking black knitted Merino wool-rich mesh dress, crafted for on-court performance styled with the LUAR Unbutton Track Jacket.
  • Accessories: A water-resistant messenger bag crafted from 100-percent Optim™ wool, combining utility with elevated design plus a wool hat and scrunchie to complete the look.
  • Look 2: A beige merino wool-rich two-piece knit skirt and top, designed for off-court comfort and press appearances.

This partnership highlights Merino wool’s place at the intersection of performance, sustainability and cultural expression. It also marks a continued commitment from LUAR to use Merino wool as a cornerstone of the brand’s design ethos.

Each piece has been developed in collaboration with Woolmark-certified supply chain partners, ensuring the highest standards in fibre innovation and garment construction.

“Merino wool is a natural high performer, making it ideal for the demands of modern tennis,” said Woolmark managing Director John Roberts. “Seeing Venus Williams bring this outfit to life on the court proves what we’ve always known: Merino wool doesn’t just belong in performance wear – it excels in it. This collaboration with LUAR shows what happens when innovation, elegance and athleticism come together.”

By bringing natural fibre innovation to one of the world’s most-watched sporting stages, the LUAR x Woolmark x Venus Williams collaboration redefines what performance-wear can look and feel like.

Posted: August 25, 2025

Source: Woolmark 

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