T
hree juniors at The Fashion School of Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, were awarded
prizes at this year’s RadiciSpandex “Stretch to the Future” Design Competition. Fashion designer
Marc Bouwer was this year’s honorary judge.

Established nine years ago, the Radici competition was created to educate students about
designing apparel using fabrics containing spandex.

The awards ceremony was held at the Italian Trade Commission’s town house in New York City.
Luciano Radici, regional director, Americas, for the Italy-based Radici Group, the parent company
of Gastonia, N.C.-based RadiciSpandex Corp., presented the crystal Stretch to the Future Award to
Bouwer.

Marty Moran, RadiciSpandex  CEO, gave awards to the three student winners. Jenni Smas,
who designed a floor-length evening gown molded and draped in fabrics provided by Spartanburg-based
Milliken & Company, took the Grand Prize along with the Eveningwear Award. Andrew Spargo
received the Swimwear Award for a black one-piece swimsuit and cover-up designed in fabrics
provided by Darlington Fabrics and Sextet Fabrics. The Lingerie Award went to Sydney Sustarsic, who
used fabrics from Milliken and Startex. The Underfashion Club co-sponsored the lingerie prize.

Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes, director of The Fashion School at Kent State, noted that this year, 18
students entered the Radici Stretch to the Future Design Competition. In addition to its Ohio
campus, The Fashion School has outpost studios in Florence, Italy, and in New York City. The New
York studio is located in the garment district. Design students have the opportunity to study for
one semester at either location.

Along with fabrics from Milliken, Darlington, Sextet and Startex, fabrics containing Radici
spandex fibers were donated for the competition by Brookwood Cos., Charbert Fabrics, Guilford
Performance Textiles, McMurray Fabrics and Symphony Fabrics. All are US-based companies.

Judging was held earlier this year at the school’s New York location. In addition to Bouwer,
the judging panel included Kim Hall, marketing manager for Fashion Apparel, RadiciSpandex Corp.;
Deborah Batcha, vice president, merchandising, Lunaire; Virginia Borland,

Textile World
‘s New York correspondent; David Burnett, vice president, merchandising, InGear Swimwear;
Howard Ellis, vice president, Symphony Fabrics; Kristen Kramer, senior vice president, bra launch
and product development, Victoria’s Secret; Camila Perez, swimwear designer, Leonisa; Danielle
Potito, associate fashion editor, Life & Style Weekly; Norman Szychter, raw materials manager,
The Limited; Claudia Velasquez Olarte, lingerie designer, Leonisa; and David Wolfe, creative
director, The Doneger Group.

July/August 2008

Global politics, economics and ecology impact color, fabric and fashion directions for Fall/Winter
2009-10, according to Bengt Jacobsson, Paris-based trend forecaster for Dow Fiber Solutions –
Midland-Mich.-based producer of Dow XLA™ stretch fibers. Intellectual, Industrial and Inspirational
are themes for his seasonal presentation. More than 70 new conceptual fabrics were shown, made by
Dow fabric partners in Europe and Asia. All focused on the benefits of XLA, including comfort, fit,
performance, functionality and forward fashion. Knitted and woven fabrics range from ultrasheer,
soft-touch and drape; to felted, thick and bulky.

Intellectual, Jacobsson’s first trend, shows new ways with tailoring. Jacobsson calls it
“nerd chic.” The traditional gray flannel suit is updated in an ultrasoft, light, slightly lustrous
comfort-stretch flannel. Other fabrics include pin stripes, club stripes, herringbones and tweeds.
All look and feel new, and are woven in rescaled patterns and in wool blended with silk, bamboo and
XLA. There are white-on-white patterned shirtings in this group. Novelty cords, sateens,
lightweight velvets and loose knits are some of the casual fabrics. France-based de Vaudricourt,
India-based Raymond Ltd. and India-based Greuter are among the mill partners. There are patinated
colors that have an antique book-leather look and dusty pastel shades, along with black and white.
Patterns are neat and precise.

Construction and function are key in the Industrial category, with high-tech and innovation
going to the limits to create contemporary sportswear fabrics that move. Linear effects, fancy
cords and stripes, bonded and quilted fabrics, felted looks, mesh and net, technical surfaces, and
sturdy denims reflect a mechanical and industrial mood. Gutsy canvas; rip-stop; exaggerated
diagonal weaves; and thick, wooly fleece reversing to smooth cotton are other developments. There
are shirtings with metallic glimmer and a look of cold steel that have a soft, slick hand; and
knits that contour the body for comfort and fit. Italy-based Loro Piana S.p.A., Japan-based Kurabo
Industries Ltd. and France-based Carreman are some of the resources. Colors have an industrial
quality with shades of bronze, khaki, petrol and brick accented with cobalt blue, orange and lime.

The Inspirational range has a global ethnic feel. Bohemian luxe or Asian opulence is modern,
natural and eco-friendly. There are jacquards, slubbed shantungs, taffetas, satins and discrete
patterns. Other fabrics are rustic burlap; compact, thick wool; irregular and uneven weaves;
pleated, opaque/sheer or rice-paper-like. Silk, bamboo, viscose and Modal® are blended with XLA.
Fabrics are woven and knitted by India-based Arvind Ltd., France-based Bugis and China-based
Youngor-Sunrise. Mid-tone and half-bright shades of indigo, turquoise, saffron, clay, pink, coral
and plum are plucked from nature.

July/August 2008

Outlast Technologies Inc., Boulder, Colo., has taken its temperature-regulating technologies into
home textile products. Originally developing the technology for NASA astronauts to help them
maintain a comfortable body temperature in outer space, Outlast discovered a need for this
technology in down-to-earth consumer products.

“The timing is right, the consumer is more educated,” said Guy Eckert, executive vice
president of business development, Home Market. “The demand for high-performance fabrics is
growing. Once consumers have tried Outlast, they will look for it again.”

Eckert explained that Outlast technology responds to changes in body temperature.
Micro-encapsulated Thermocules™ absorb excess body heat, store it and then release it when the body
is cold, thereby maintaining body temperature at a comfortable level. It can be delivered in a
fiber or via finishing. There are three designations: Bronze is achievable via finishing; Silver
works through finish or fabric; and Gold through fabric only.

Hosiery is one market where Outlast technology is in demand. Gold Toe, Wigwam and Harley
Davidson are some of the sock resources. In footwear, it is used by Nike, New Balance, The North
Face and Arnold Palmer golf shoes. Men’s suits with Outlast technology are sold at Jos. A Bank.
Marks & Spencer is selling underwear featuring Outlast.

Recently, Outlast was introduced into bedding products including pillows, mattress-ticking
fabrics, mattress pads, woven blankets and duvet covers.

According to sleep experts, 65 to 68°F is the ideal room temperature for sleeping. Under the
covers, it is difficult to maintain the ideal temperature. As we sleep, our temperature goes up, so
we toss and turn and throw off the covers. After considerable in-depth testing, it was proven that
Outlast technology prevents discomfort and keeps the body comfortable in bed at night, according to
the company.

As a result of this testing, Outlast is licensing companies to create and sell collections of
sleepwear and bedding products. Kohl’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears, Belk, Bon Ton and Avon are
among them. Recently, Dillard’s introduced “Just Right” sleepwear under its Clarity™ brand. Pajamas
and nightshirts are on sale in a blend of Outlast viscose/cotton.

Minneapolis-based bed retailer Select Comfort Corp. has launched the Enhanced Sleep Number
7000 Bed. The 12-inch-thick mattress is covered with a new fabric in a blend of Outlast
viscose/polypropylene/silk that is softened with aloe vera. The company also is selling mattress
pads and pillows featuring Outlast temperature regulation.

Eckert said that approximately 37 percent of Americans have trouble falling asleep because
they are too hot. Add to that our aging population with menopausal women whose temperature can
shift 6°F. The company claims Outlast technology in bedding reduces overheating and provides a
balanced, comfortable climate, so two people can sleep comfortably together.

July/August 2008

Spiegel Brands Inc., New York City — a specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s apparel,
footwear, accessories, and home products — has expanded its use of New York City-based Yunique
Solutions product lifecycle management (PLM) Software to support increased product innovation,
operational transparency, and a more efficient and proactive supply chain. Spiegel will utilize the
collaboration and process management aspects of the software to create regional product teams
comprised of independent vendors. These teams will work closely with the Asian production
facilities, fulfilling all responsibilities from design through production development.

“We needed a system built on a modern, open platform that provided for global collaboration,”
said Jose Sanez, director of technical design systems, processes and calendars, Spiegel. “We can
manage our apparel, footwear, home and accessory lines with this single solution.”

July/August 2008