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It is always important for brands and businesses to look towards the season of trading and make adjustments and grow ideas for how they can best increase sales and brand reputation.  The importance of ensuring the biggest number of sales for the Christmas period is huge, with the possibility to turn around the rest of the year and grow for the future seasons.  How to engage customers Engaging with your customers in the right way is key to capturing their attention for the holiday season. Every company on the map will be trying to make the most of this time of year, so you have to make sure that everything you do is centred around them and their needs. Your customers want one thing – and that’s ease. They want the best products to gift their loved ones (and themselves) at Christmas for the best prices, and they want to find them easily.  One potential way to become more readily accessible is to make customers aware of anything that will be happening over the holiday period through a newsletter or a subscription notification that they can keep track of.  Having an update will direct people to your products as they are reminded of the necessity of planning purchases for the upcoming season. Sending out regular reminders of the Christmas period (even if not sales focused) will make them associate it with your brand. Build genuine relationships You should also make sure that your attempts to reach out are personalised and have meaning. People connect better with things they relate to – so try to form an understanding with your potential customers. Creating relationships with your customers is not something that will happen overnight, so be patient and keep attempting different ways to connect. You will be able to see their interaction with emails/posts, so adapt and respond accordingly. Do not just accept defeat – if a customer has added something to their basket but hasn’t checked out, it’s not a lost purchase. This is simply a new opportunity to grow a relationship with them.  Launching an abandoned cart rescue campaign is great way to increase your sales this holiday season. Maybe the customer had forgotten about their cart, or another present idea fell through last minute, or they suddenly need a new gift.  Reminding them of their basket contents and suggesting other options could change their mind and make them go through with the purchase as this would ensure an easy process. Become their go-to for loyalty Another way to invoke ease of purchase is to inspire loyalty – customers who put their loyalty in a brand will likely want to repurchase with them time and time again because they know that they can trust you and it is easier than trying a new brand that they aren’t 100% sure about.  Some simple ways to create loyalty for the coming months include a percentage off their next order, a complimentary product, or a 2 for 1 deal when they next shop, all of which would inspire a repeat purchase. 

With the rise of ethicality and sustainability on the majority of consumers’ minds at the moment, especially now that COP26 has been in the news for the past few weeks, the fashion industry is experiencing changes in relation to worries about where certain practices may lead to.  One topic in particular that has been causing concerns for a good few years is the leather industry. The leather industry is claimed to be the second oldest profession in the world and it is a major industry with huge economic importance on an international scale. In just one year alone – 23 billion square feet of leather is produced, accounting to around 45 billion dollars. What is leather? Traditional leather is the end-product of tanning the rawhide of animals. Tanning is a process that alters the protein layer of the hide (such as fat, fur and meat). It is a complex process which scientists still do not fully understand to this day. Leather is usually produced using cattle hide due to the size, cost and quantity – however a range of different animal leathers are available including other mammals and even exotic animal leathers such as crocodiles and pythons.  Different parts of the animal hide produces different types and qualities of leather, and higher quality leather can be made by altering the production process. One alteration revolves around the amount of surface coating – as genuine leather should be no more than 0.15mm thick.  Animal leather is very versatile and is used frequently within the fashion industry today – the final product is a very tough but flexible material that can be found in clothing, boots, bags and a range of other products such as sofas and saddles.  Why can leather be seen negatively? Unlike fur, the leather industry was not hit as hard by animal rights concerns, yet it is not too dissimilar from its counterpart. Whilst fur is produced through farms specifically designed for the sole purpose of killing and stripping animals of their fur, leather is often thought of as simply a by-product of the meat industry.  This connotation made the leather industry seem less harmful than the fur industry, as cows would have to be killed regardless for meat, and using all of the animal seems less wasteful than the alternative.  However, this is not always the case. The majority of leather being made in countries such as India, China and Brazil is not a by-product, and the animals are killed specifically for their skins. Leather is also harmful to the environment – turning animal skin into leather requires chemicals such as formaldehyde, coal-tar, oils, dyes, and finishes (some of which are cyanide-based). The production process also uses mass amounts of energy and creates C02 and methane gas.  “A chrome-tanning facility wastes nearly 15,000 gallons of water and produces up to 2,200 pounds of ‘solid waste’ (e.g. hair, flesh, and trimmings) for every ton of hides that it processes.” (PETA). What are the alternatives? Due to these impacts – there have been many leather alternatives popping up over the years.  One of the most frequently seen on the market is ‘pleather’ which is plastic leather.  This artificial leather contains polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic polymer which is completely synthetic.  ‘Pleather’ or plastic leather is an alternative that aims to solve the ethical concerns of animal based leathers. It is usually marketed as a vegan alternative – and it is used frequently within the fashion industry today.  Many large brands including Dr. Martens, Ted Baker and Saint Laurent and a range of fast fashion brands use plastic leather in their products, and many individuals consider it one step in the right direction away from animal leathers.  However, plastic leather is likely an even worse alternative for the environment than animal leather is. Unlike real leather, plastic based leather will never break down, and will end up sitting in landfill or our oceans for hundreds of years if the product isn’t recycled – with 13 million tonnes of synthetic fibres entering the oceans each year. ‘Micro-plastic pollution is a big threat, as it uses an extensive amount of water, energy and chemicals to be processed and made into the material which sadly impacts the earth.’ Harpers Bazaar. The other alternative to animal leather and plastic leather is plant-based leather. Plant based leather alternatives have been developing over the last few years as a more sustainable and ethical option to animal and plastic leather.  A new report from British charity The Vegan Society highlights the growing importance of leather alternatives in the fashion industry – a survey revealed over 70% of customers would be ready to spend more money on plant-based leathers over animal-derived ones, confirming a flourishing demand. If you would like to read more about plant based leather alternatives, you can do so over on our blog!

Wool is a largely popular naturally derived material that has been part of the fashion industry for centuries. Harvesting and producing clothing out of wool is part of history all around the globe as a way to provide warm clothing accessibly.  Overview Wool is a natural fibre (similar to silk and cotton) that is taken from the coat of animals such as sheep, alpacas, llamas, rabbits and goats. Wool can range from very cheap to extremely expensive depending on the type of animal it is harvested from and the location that the animals are kept.  Products such as Merino Wool are well-known for their fine, premium feel and can be found at the top end of wool production. There are a range of uses for this versatile fibre and it is extremely useful within the fashion industry. Types of Wool Wool is a term that can be used for the fabric made from the fleece of a range of different animals, all of which vary in quality and production method.  Sheep Wool Sheep wool is the most prominent type of wool on the market and is often what people associate the majority of wool with. Sheep’s wool is used within many different types of garments and varies in quality and price.  Sheep wool is the basis for a lot of wool blends. Merino Wool Merino is a type of sheep’s wool specifically from Merino sheep that is harvested most frequently from sheep in Australia and New Zealand. It is extremely fine and high-quality wool and can be found often within high-end garments. It has more desirable qualities than regular sheep’s wool such as increased softness and comfort.  Merino wool has a strong reputation, and can be found within premium ranges for product categories such as athleisure and knitwear. Cashmere Cashmere has a high natural crimp, resulting in an incredibly soft and lightweight fabric. Cashmere is very costly because it’s difficult to obtain (fibers must be combed from cashmere goats instead of sheared), and the cashmere goat produces a limited amount of cashmere wool per year.  Cashmere is luxurious but is not very durable, meaning it requires more care. Angora Wool Derived from the coats of rabbits – Angora wool is amongst the finest types of wool fibers in the world, making it very silky and soft. This type of wool is extremely fluffy, and since the cores of Angora rabbit hairs are hollow, it is very warm to wear.  Angora wool is also hypoallergenic as it does not contain the allergenic properties of other wool types. Angora can also be made by combining angora fibres with sheep’s wool fibres to make it cheaper and more accessible.  Alpaca Wool  Alpaca wool is a medium-weight fabric that is very durable and warm, and is well suited to hard-wearing products such as coats. Two breeds of alpaca, Huacaya and Suri, produce different types of wool – Huacaya fleece is thicker and often used for knit items, while Suri is silkier and used more in woven apparel. Lambswool Lambswool is taken from a baby sheep’s first shearing when it’s only a few months old, it is smooth, soft, and does not misshapen easily. Lambswool can only be produced once within a sheep’s lifetime and therefore is more expensive. Wool Production The majority of wool types are harvested in a similar way. The animal used for the wool production is sheered to remove the fleece coat from the rest of their body. Unlike the production of fur, the majority of the time harvesting wool does not harm the animal when done correctly.  These are the main steps for wool production: Where is wool produced? Wool is produced worldwide, but the leading countries typically host climates or land mass that make raising livestock easy and accessible.  Large producers of wool include Oceania countries Australia and New Zealand, with around 25% of the world’s wool being produced in Australia and New Zealand with 11%. So called ‘greasy wool’ is largely produced here, including sheep and alpaca wool types. Australian wool exports in 2016-17 were valued at $3.615 billion; this reflects the continuing strong global demand for Australia’s wool, which is regarded as among the world’s best. Wool is produced in all Australian states except the Northern Territory. New South Wales produces the greatest volume of wool, followed by Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. Sheep breeds such as Merino thrive here, making is a huge player in the world wool market. Wool is also frequently produced in China – with 18% of production, and America – with 17% of production.  Wool Fabric Properties UV Protection Sheep wool has a natural UV protection factor of up to 30. Wool naturally absorbs the suns UV rays before it can make contact with your skin; by wearing wool you will be protected against the sun harmful rays. Antibacterial The thin waxy coating of wool fibre contains fatty acids that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. The same coating repels water that can cause mildew and mold to grow.  This means that woolen items do not need regular washing and will smell fresh after repeated use, unlike synthetic fibres. Stains The waxy outer coating of wool helps to repel liquids, meaning if you spill anything on your knitwear it is most likely to roll off, and what is left is easily wiped off.  Ease of Care It’s a well known fact that woolen items do not need regular washing. Bacteria causing odour is naturally inhibited by fatty acids that coat wool fibre.  Static, which attracts lint, dirt and dust, is also inhibited by this waxy coating. The scaly surface area of fibre acts to block dirt and stains from being absorbed. Instead, particles sit on top which means they are much easier to remove. Heat Retention Wool is renowned for its ability to regulate body temperature. In the winter, wool’s insulating qualities trap dry air and warmth near the skin. Wool’s natural insulating quality and its ability to

Last year on our blog, we wrote about Covid-19 and what it might mean for the fashion industry – you can check it out here. Now, just a month away from 2022, we revisit the subject to find out the impacts in terms of short to long term alterations on the industry now that we are starting to see some kind of end in sight. Covid-19 troubles Back in early 2020, we knew that Covid-19 was likely to have some short to medium term effects – from supply chain disruptions such as manufacturers having to shut down to a reduction in consumption whilst multiple countries went into lockdown.  However the extent to what the Covid-19 pandemic could mean for the fashion industry was exponential. A huge decline in sales and a freeze in production would lead to questions about where the fashion industry would go after the pandemic was over. Short-term effects There will continue to be many short-term effects for consumers and businesses alike, from economic to social issues, even after the worst of the pandemic is over. One of these effects is the fact that despite vaccinations being more widely used around the globe, workers are still falling ill and having to take time off of work, which will continue to impact supply chains and production.  With people still being vulnerable to the virus, a full recovery to the production process across manufacturing and shipping will still have small impacts on the productivity of the workforce, the amount of products they can produce and the price of them. Another short-term issue linking to this is that consumers who are vulnerable or have Covid-19 will be unable to get out and about to shop in the ways they once could. Online shopping will be more accessible this way, however bricks-and-mortar shops may still feel the impact of this well into 2022.  This short-term effect means that smaller businesses who were once in-store only will need to start to think about gaining a better digital presence. Digital is the way forward out of the pandemic, and with more and more customers exclusively shopping online even if they are not vulnerable, this will be key to short-term success.  Medium-term effects  There are various medium-term effects for the fashion industry due to Covid-19, with the last year being an example of how we can see improvements but still under-go issues. When the Covid-19 pandemic first hit, the majority of us did not need to buy lots of new items just to sit around in, so comfortable clothing and loungewear became the new normal whilst every-day occasion wear took a backseat in our wardrobes. Now that we move back into a more regular schedule of going outside again for work and social events, we are not so quick to go out and buy, instead more people are gravitating towards the pieces they already owned but haven’t been able to wear for the past few years.  This can be traced back to economic worries as well as practical ones – with the majority of people still recovering from financial troubles that they went through due to lockdowns, with furlough pay and many people losing their jobs reducing the amount of income many households have to spend on non-essential items.  This means that the fashion industry will likely continue to see declines in profits for a while yet and businesses will have to think of new ways to get customers engaged with their products – from interesting marketing tactics to sales. Another medium-term effect is the change in the physical fashion calendar. The last year and a half has seen runway shows and pop-ups to everything in between stop, with the majority of large houses events starting to go strictly online.  Whilst few events have returned in person, a lot of brands are continuing to be cautious with big in-person events, and it’s likely that some won’t return for a while yet, or will be less often and instead of different gendered categories, they will be all-in-one shows with a mix of everything! Long-term effects One major long-term effect of the Covid-19 pandemic is the emphasis that the fashion industry has on the environment. Whilst factories were effectively shut down and businesses supply chains came to a halt, we saw an increase in natural biodiversity.  Many people also had more time to learn about the impacts of fast-fashion and why a more circular economy is more important, as companies’ greenwashing tactics came to light and smaller sustainable fashion brands had the chance to grow.  Forbes said that ‘The disruptions of 2020 have forced fashion retailers into a new era of reckoning. While the top and bottom lines have been the key markers all along, businesses are starting to realize that doing good and doing well can add up to doing better.’ Lower sales placed a strain on large companies to try and do better in order to make sure their consumers before the pandemic kept shopping with them online and after lockdowns had ended. This meant that they had to take sustainability more seriously.  Lots of companies have started recycling programs in this time, such as Nike and H&M, and the likelihood that others will do the same is very large. Zero waste has also become a focus – with lower impact packaging for online orders and a more transparent supply chain. A circular industry would allow people to make the most of the clothes they already have, and allow them to be more smart with the purchases they will make in the future!  Other long term effects range from permanent in-store closures, lack of jobs, a change in work dynamic all due to finances. With economic issues being the worst of them all when it comes to the pandemic, the fashion industry will continue to live out the effects of this long after 2022.  Many businesses took a major hit, with smaller businesses going bankrupt and an impending recession, it seems almost impossible

Starting your own fashion-related clothing brand may seem difficult when you begin to approach it, however with the right guidance and well-conducted research, you can start your own brand with a strong understanding of what it takes to succeed. You simply need to breakdown the steps and simplify the process – taking it a little bit at a time and covering key areas first so that you are prepared for what is to come. Finding the right manufacturer Once you have decided on developing your brand, the initial thing you will want to do is find the perfect manufacturer that will suit your needs. This means working within your time scale, a good rate, being able to produce good quality prints and finding a garment manufacturer that can produce small orders for you. It is ideal that you start of your brand small so that you can test the waters a little bit – this means having a small quantity of orders to start with. There are many suppliers around the UK and overseas that can create a variety of styles and designs tailored to your brand. Seamless Source can help find the right garment manufacturer for you. With easy communication via our website and 24/7 support from Seamless Source’s customer service team, you’ll be able to start turning your designs into real life products instantly. Another aspect of clothing to consider is sustainable production and labour. It is likely that you will be competing with brands that can produce ‘eco-friendly’ clothing on a larger scale. Investing in a manufacturer that is friendly to the environment and eco-friendly within their production process is important. Sourcing fabric In order to maintain the sustainable aspect of your brand, your fabric sourcing is an essential factor to consider as transparency is highly values by customers. Consider looking at fabrics such as Bamboo, Jute and Tencel – as these have a variety of different qualities as well as being eco-friendly and biodegradable. If you cannot afford to venture into these more innovative fabrics yet, then instead opt for better versions of standard fabrics – such as recycled polyester, BCI cotton, and responsible wool. Another thing to consider is to order a prototype before you fully commit to ordering in bulk. This is because on CAD (or from your sketches), the design can look different to the real product. The material may drape differently, the print or the logo may not be as strong as visualised and you may decide you’d prefer an embroidery logo instead. Therefore, sampling is an important part of the whole production process. Competitors To start with, it’s great to look at your competitors. Evaluate strong competitors in the market – these can be established brands that you can use to develop lasting strategies or young and upcoming luxury brands. You will find that plenty will focus on sustainability and look into ethical practices, and as a result, produce well-designed stylish products. Once you can understand how these brands create mutual connections and build relationships with their consumer base- this is something you can adopt within your own brand. By researching your potential competitors, you can identify their brand story, their USP, their price points and even take note of things in a design aspect. Considering the details When starting any form of clothing line, it is important to have a detailed tech pack and a clear idea of who your target audience is – this makes it easier to develop yourself and your brand identity to get the best for your future customers. Also ensure you have covered the financial side of things – depending on how many orders you make, you’re more likely to be able to negotiate a better deal the bigger the order, but this does not mean you have to order in bulk straight away. As mentioned earlier, order in a smaller quantity and then work your way up once you discovered your best-sellers. Investment and long-term goals Another thing you need to consider and plan for way in advance is how much you are investing. You need to be aware that to start a new brand, your investments need to be well thought out, no matter what type of business you are aiming for. You need to be prepared that you are going to be in this game for a while before anything starts to take off. You are looking for a 3-year (or more) game to get to a stage where you have secured a reasonable and comfortable amount of visibility for your fashion brand. It is also important to think about your touch-points with your customers in order for them to buy into your brand. They need to feel up to date and a part of your brand, whether this is through digital marketing such as Instagram or Facebook or attending fashion events and exclusive fashion parties where you can meet and greet your potential customers. If you are at a stage where you wish to look into garment manufactures that produce high-end quality fabrics, Seamless Source can help. We connect small to medium scale fashion businesses with suitable manufacturers from across the world. To find out more, contact us.

Polyester – first created in the 1940s, however was not popularised until the 1970s when advertised as a ‘miracle fibre’ due to its diverse nature. Polyester fabric is very widely used and can be found in countless garments within peoples wardrobes worldwide.  The polyester industry is extremely valuable and complex – and we will discover why in detail within this blog post. Overview of polyester Polyester is a synthetic fibre derived from petroleum and is mostly considered a plastic, it has many beneficial properties which have propelled it into mass consumption by the fashion industry.  It can be used in clothing, furnishings and much more. polyester, despite its popularity, carries some bad connotations due to the nature of what it is and how it is produced, with some individuals linking synthetic fabrics to the increased environmental risk we are currently undertaking.  Polyester origin, types and location In 1926, a United States-based company began research into molecules and synthetic fibers. They went on to create the first ever synthetic fibre Nylon, and in the late 1930s and early 1940s, British scientists conducted their own research on synthetic fibres resulting in the creation of polyester. Polyester entered the economy for the first time as Terylene by W.H. Carothers. Polyester fabric was produced for mass consumption by the DuPont Corporation and was marketed under the name Dacron, and was widely used within war efforts to make parachutes by a multitude of American companies. PET or PCDT? Polyester carried on developing over the years all around the world, and today there are two primary types – PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PCDT (poly-1, 4-cyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate).   PET (also known as ethylene polyester) is the type of polyester we are most used to seeing within our clothing, and is produced widely within the fashion industry as it has a variety of uses and is stronger than PCDT.  There are four different ways to make PET fiber, and the production process used varies depending on whether it is making filament, staple, tow or fibrefill polyester types.  PCDT has a different chemical structure and is much more resilient than PET, with more elasticity, and PCDT is suited to heavier uses such as curtains and other home furnishings.  Where is it produced today? Polyester is one of the most used fabrics worldwide – and this means that it has to be produced on a global scale.  China is the largest producer of filament and staple polyester fibers as well as being the largest polyester market in the world. China has many specialist factories with expensive machinery tailored to perfecting fabric production processes, and this is one of the reasons that they are the largest producers today.  Other reasons for China leading the way for polyester fabric production include the fact that it is an emerging market with low-cost manufacturing and many government initiatives. This is also the reason for India being the second largest producer of polyester around the globe.   Some of the biggest manufacturers of Polyester include: Other manufacturers of polyester include Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. polyester is mainly kept in Asia after fabric production is completed until it has been turned into full garments. How is polyester fabric made? The manufacturing process depends heavily on what type of polyester is being made. Within PET production – as mentioned above, there are 4 different types of polyester fibres – filament, staple, tow and fibrefill, however only 2 types are regularly produced for fabric. Filament  Filament fibres are continuous fibres that go on to produce soft fabrics and are frequently used within polyester fabric manufacturing. To product filament polyester these steps are carried out: Staple To make staple fibers, polymerization, drying, and melt spinning are similar to the manufacture of filament yarn. However, in the melt spinning process, the spinneret has many more holes. The rope-like bundles of polyester that emerge are called tow. Polyester fabric properties Polyester has a huge variety of beneficial properties which is why it is used in so many products within the fashion industry and beyond from high-street brands to designers.  Durable Polyester is extremely durable – it was initially used for parachutes and it is resistant to pilling, stretching and shrinking which is one reason that it is so often used in everyday clothes that will be worn a lot.  As a synthetic fibre it is much more resistant than natural fabrics, including resistance to other chemicals, and this means that polyester will frequently be chosen over its natural fibre competitors such as cotton or linen. Retains shape Polyester has the incredible ability to retain the shape that it is made into. This means that it is perfect to hold the structure of pleats, gathers and ruffles without them losing shape over time.  This also means that polyester is very wrinkle resistant, and does not require being ironed or steamed to look presentable.  Moisture-wicking Polyester is the best moisture-wicking fabric on the market for the sole reason that it has the ability to draw moisture away from the body. Instead of absorbing moisture like other types of fabric, polyester wicks the liquid in the first layer of the fabric.  This means that you will not be able to feel moisture on your skin, and the sweat will be able to evaporate quickly so that you are never able to feel it. This is why polyester is so often used within activewear such as running gear.  Strong The reason for polyester’s durability is that it is such a strong fibre. Being a synthetic compound, fibres are not easily broken. Polyester is able to handle abrasion and will not rip or tear easily.  The downside to its strength is that it is not the most luxurious fabric, it feels sturdy and coarse and therefore is not often used for finer quality products. Easy to care for Polyester is very easy to care for. It can be washed on any setting without the worry of shrinking or creasing and is able to be

Initially developed by the DuPont Corporation in the 1920’s and used for military parachutes in World War 2, nylon was integrated into 25% of the textile market by 1945.  Nylon is most well-known for stockings, but can be made into multiple types of fabric including chiffon and taffeta. Continue reading to find out more about nylon and how it is currently used within the industry.  Overview Nylon is the name for a family of polymers that are widely used within the textile industry within a range of products. Nylon is 100% synthetic, similarly to fabrics such as polyester and acrylic, and is made from petrochemicals. It was originally developed with the intention of becoming a synthetic silk replica, however, the fabric alone had issues with runs and tears (despite being manufactured specifically to avoid this). This is why nylon is often used in combination blends with other fibres – as it has the ability to enhance other materials such as cotton/spandex/polyester with qualities such as stretch and resistance – whilst losing its negative qualities such as tearing.  Types and production of nylon As nylon is the generic name for several synthetic polyamides (fibres obtained by spinning polymers), there are several types of nylons. The names of nylons relate to the quantity of carbons in the structure – nylon 6 and 66 are two of the most popular types of nylon used in the textile industry because of their beneficial properties.  Nylon 6  Nylon 6 is made from a single type of monomer called caprolactam which has a higher resistance threshold, it’s also quick to absorb moisture, strong, durable, easy to dye and very lightweight.  Nylon 66 (6,6) Nylon 66 consists of hexamethylene diamine, six carbon atoms and adipic acid. It has great colour-retention and is very resistant to abrasion. Nylon 66 also does not wear down in the sunlight as easily as other nylons.  It is also low cost and easily producible. This type of nylon is better suited to industrial products however, so the majority of nylon we see on the market is likely Nylon 6.  Nylon 46 This polymer is only produced by the international corporation DSM under the name Stanyl. It is not commonly used in fabrics, and instead can be found in products such as engines and air coolers. Nylon 510 Intended as a Nylon 66 alternative, however proved to be too expensive for mass production. Ripstop Ripstop nylon is durable, lightweight, and strong. It is not usually used within the fashion industry, rather it is frequently used for parachutes, hot air balloons as well as materials designed for the outside such as sleeping bags. Ripstop nylon is a blend, usually containing either nylon 6 or 6,6 (or both). This nylon fabric has a criss-cross grid effect created by crossing different fibers over and under each other (like a basket weave) to increase durability. Kevlar Kevlar is the material used in bulletproof vests, and is also known for being cut and heat resistant. Kevlar can be found in personal protection equipment in industrial industry products such as gloves that provide protection from injuries. Production Nylon consists of long chains of carbon-based molecules called monomers, and the majority of nylon types are extracted from hexamethylenediamine in crude oil (petroleum). The nylon production process is: Where is nylon made? Nylon was originally developed in the United States and remained there until the second half of the 20th century. The US continued to be the leaders in production until the 1980s, however as the desire for the fabric grew, production started to move overseas. The current largest producer of nylon is China – however recently there has been a decline in the production of the fabric here. Many other asian countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia and India also produce nylon on a large scale, and the US still produces nylon to this day.  Nylon fabric properties Nylon was developed to be the ‘textile of the future’ and widely used in stockings because it was said to be run resistant. The original name was ‘No-Run’, however after finding out that nylon was actually very prone to running, the name was developed into what we now know as nylon.  Today, nylon is not usually used by itself due to its high tendency to run. Instead it is blended with other materials to increase their qualities whilst losing the negative ones it possesses itself. Some of nylon fabric properties include: Strength Nylon is known for being extremely strong, it is suggested that the tensile strength of nylon is greater than a steel filament of the same weight (tensile strength is the amount of pressure it can be put under before it breaks). Nylon, whilst being strong, will tear easily due to its nature. Care must be taken when wearing 100% nylon material. Stretch Nylon is also extremely elastic, with the ability to bounce back into its original shape with ease. There are no other fibres on the market that have the same elastic properties of nylon, which is why it is so beneficial to the textile market, as it can be blended with fabrics such as cotton to create amazing stretchy garments.  Nylon is widely used within activewear for this very reason, nylon is able to retain its shape and stretch back, remaining close to the skin for comfort and ease of wear.  Absorbent  Another reason nylon is so good for activewear is its resistance to moisture, some nylons are non-absorbent and smooth. This makes the fibres dry extremely quickly and ensure that the garment can perform to the best of its ability.  Some nylons are absorbent, and have the ability to moisture-wick to a certain extent (similarly to natural fabrics), however the moisture will stay within the fabric.  Resilience  Nylon fabric is very resilient – it can resist dirt very well, and can resist heat, UV rays, and chemicals better than most synthetic materials, including polyester. Nylon has the ability to resist oil and bleach, so if the fabric discolours,

Rayon is the common term for a group of semi-synthetic fabrics used widely within the fashion industry. Rayon can be produced using different processes, such as the viscose process or the modal process – however, these will simply be referred to as viscose and modal within this article. We will explore the different types of rayon and the production processes of these variants below. This article also forms part of our series containing information about a variety of synthetic and natural fibres, so read on to discover more. Overview Rayon is a manufactured fibre and a type of semi-synthetic material that is somewhere in between natural and man-made. Instead of being naturally occurring from plants or animal fibres like cotton or wool, or made from plastics such as polyester, rayon is produced using cellulose. Cellulose means that the material contains cells (which are always natural materials). Cellulose derived materials are usually made of either plants or wood, and different types of rayon are individually derived from products such as wood pulp and beech trees.  To produce rayon, the cellulose materials are blended and then chemically treated to create fibres mimicking the quality of natural fabrics. These fibres can either be left as they are, or recombined to create uniquely textured rayon fabrics.  Types and production of rayon There are 3 main types of rayon produced today – these are viscose, lyocell and modal. Viscose is the most widely used of the derivatives within the fashion industry today, however, lyocell and modal are still frequently incorporated into garments. There are also speciality rayon blends that are designed for certain features and are commonly used as a replacement for decorative natural fabrics at a cheaper price point.  Viscose Viscose is usually what people are talking about when they mention rayon. If a garment is marked as being made of rayon, it is likely that they are referring to viscose rayon as viscose can be used interchangeably as a synonym for rayon itself, not just the specific production method. The term ‘viscose’ refers to the viscous organic liquid (sometimes described as honey-like) which is regenerated into fibres to create the fabric once in solid form. It was first manufactured in 1883 as an affordable alternative to natural silk. Viscose is primarily made up of wood-pulp which can be derived from a range of trees such as: The reason that viscose is the most popular rayon fabric is that it is produced purely from wood-pulp cellulose, and does not have to be made with lignin-free cellulose. This manufacturing method is much cheaper than alternatives, as well as being able to be made on a large scale, and therefore it is more popular. The process for producing viscose is extensive – having to transform from an organic fibre into a chemically treated material. These are the steps for viscose the production process:  Viscose is extremely versatile and can be utilised in a range of ways including blending with fibres such as cotton and polyester to create strong and cheap materials. Modal Unlike viscose, modal is not a silk substitute, and the fabric is made from a blend of materials. Beech-tree pulp is used for the cellulose part of the process, and then the material is blended together with other natural or synthetic fibres like cotton or spandex to create a strong yet synthetic material. Modal is stronger than viscose for this reason, and therefore is more expensive than buying viscose, it is also more expensive than cotton. Modal was first developed in 1951 in Japan and is now widely used throughout the industry. Modal is also known as HWM rayon (used within consumer textiles). Lower concentrations of NaOH are used to create modal which results in less toxic waste. the production process of modal includes: Modal can have a variety of different treatments applied to it once production has occurred, such as pre-shrinking, fireproofing, wrinkle-proofing before it is woven into the fabric. Lyocell Lyocell is made from beech trees (and sometimes eucalyptus, oak and birch) blended together with other fibres such as cotton and spandex, similar to that of modal. However, the major difference between lyocell and modal is that lyocell is made with fewer harsher chemicals than that of modal fabric.  In the 1980s, lyocell rayon was developed in Courtaulds Research as a non-polluting alternative to modal and viscose because of its fewer chemicals. Less hard chemicals make the fabric softer and smoother and means the process and end product are more environmentally friendly than its viscose and modal rayon siblings.  The production process differs from viscose and modal, accounting for the changes to blend with the other synthetic or natural materials. The fibre is produced based on the N-methyl morpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) dissolution method: Lyocell is the most absorbent of rayon materials, which means that it is great for wicking the moisture away from the body, meaning that the person wearing it will stay cool and dry for longer. Lyocell has recently been referred to as a ‘miracle fabric’ due to its properties and sustainable nature. One type of lyocell that has emerged is known as Tencel, which is a brand of lyocell sold by Lenzing AG, and it is said to be on track to replace viscose within the industry within the next ten years.  Where are rayon fabrics made? Rayon is produced in larger factories due to the complex process that it takes to make it. Multiple different chemicals and different machines are necessary to make the different types of rayon – so manufacturers usually have to have access to a lot of technical equipment which can cost a lot of money. This means that larger countries with a high textile output are usually the top producers of the fabric. The largest producers of rayon worldwide are eastern countries such as India, China, Pakistan and Indonesia. China is the biggest producer of both viscose and modal rayon types. The United States and the United Kingdom used to be some of the