#Denim

2017-09-01

DEN/IM 2.0: AN EVOLUTION IN DENIM

“Fit” in apparel is a noun, and for the human body, it’s an adjective. The two meanings come together, seamlessly, in Den/IM 2.0: an innovation in athleisure that brings body-mapping technology to an already revolutionary denim jean.

The “I am DENIM” athleisure collection, made with stretch indigo denim on seamless circular knitting machines, debuted last year and has been embraced by consumers. Lenzing, Tonello, Santoni and Unitin partnered to create DEN/IM, a studio-to-street collection designed to show knit denim’s potential as a viable alternative and competitor to traditional activewear bottoms and to classic woven denim.

In response to the ensuing demand within a fashion activewear market that continues to heat up, the companies have readied Den/IM 2.0. The new collection employs body-mapping for superior fit and performance, the efficiency of seamless knitting from Santoni, new sustainable wash treatments from Tonello and the advanced indigo knits from Unitin featuring Lenzing’s TENCEL® lyocell branded fibers.

“At Tonello, we strongly believe in collaborations, especially when aimed at bringing truly innovative solutions to the market,” says R&D Manager Alice Tonello.

“Combining our finishing technologies like ECOfree, Laser Blaze and Core, with the high-end products offered by Lenzing, Santoni and Unitin, we were able to achieve a brand-new product with technical performance and an authentic denim taste.”

This collaboration from the beginning started with the idea that traditional sportswear—made with the cut and sew concept—couldn’t provide the comfort expected by a certain kind of active fashionista. Dancing, skateboarding, strolling, rest — existence today means that activity and fashion are inseparable. The introverted morning in a cafe clad in classic denim jeans, alone with your laptop, doesn’t preclude an exuberant afternoon walk on the beach, a commute by bicycle or dashing off to a party. That’s just life — so why should it call for a change of clothes?

“Denim is a versatile partner to pair with anything and is a must-have in every season,” says Tricia Carey, Director of Global Business Development – Denim at Lenzing.

Body-mapping seamless sportswear involves just one piece of multiple-knit structure fabric, which provides improved wear comfort by adjusting local body heat exchanges. It may be a quiet revolution — this evolution in denim simply allows life to go on no matter what you’re up to — but it’s a revolution just the same, made possible by the sophisticated machinery from Santoni, the innovations in garment processing from Unitin and Tonello, and the unsurpassed addition of TENCEL® branded lyocell fibers.

“Associated with this collection you will hear terms such as ‘compression,’ ‘ventilation,’ ‘moisture control,’ ‘thermal conductivity’ and ‘body mapping,’ and these are used alongside traditional denim terms such as ‘indigo shade,’ ‘fade-down’ and ‘laser marking,’” explained Patrick Silva, Santoni Marketing Manager. “With its roots in seamless sportswear, Santoni’s knitting technologies are creating a new category in the constantly fragmenting athleisure wear market.”

Here’s how it works: Each knitted garment in the Den/IM 2.0 collection incorporates different combinations of fibers and knitted structures, to create a unique cross-over concept. It’s all about integrating several sportswear benefits into the authentic denim world.

The seamless functional features of Den/IM 2.0 provide superior moisture wicking by incorporating TENCEL® in a unique two-layer construction. These high performance yarns provide superior temperature regulation and a perfect microclimate for the skin. Engineering seamless fabric thickness provides padding, allowing greater body protection without sacrificing moisture management or temperature regulation. Body-mapping ensures that the engineered ventilation areas and 3D knitted structures are where they’re most needed in every garment.

The den/IM 2.0 collection will debut at BlueZone/Munich Fabric Start on September 5- 7thin Munich, Germany.

ISKO’s denim language at Bluezone

ISKO returns to Bluezone to showcase its latest advancements in denim innovation, presenting a comprehensive overview of its SS27 collection alongside key creative and technological collaborations. At booth C02, ISKO offers visitors an immersive look into how performance, design, and circular thinking are shaping the future of denim.

MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

organIQ seek: smart alternative to potassium permanganate

CHT Group announces new technical findings within its organIQ seek platform that significantly advance the transition toward permanganate-free denim bleaching. Through extensive industrial testing and application research, CHT confirms that organIQ seek can now be used with remarkable effectiveness as a substitute for potassium permanganate in spray bleach, while remaining aligned with sustainability expectations and cost realities in the European market. At the COLOMBIATEX in Medellín as well as at the Exintex in Puebla and the Kingpins Show in Amsterdam the CHT Group will present organIQ seek as an alternative to potassium permanganate.

Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary transforming how jeans are produced worldwide

Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary reaffirming the mission it was born with in 1994, to transform the textile industry into a more sustainable, efficient, and human-centered sector. Three decades later, that vision has become a global reality. Today, more than 40 percent of all jeans produced worldwide are made using technologies developed by the Valencia-based company.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.