#Functional Fabrics

2026-02-19

lululemon introduces Unrestricted Power™ — A new sensation for strength training

lululemon (NASDAQ: LULU) has unveiled Unrestricted Power™, a new innovation platform engineered for heavy lifts and demanding gym sessions. The assortment, which launches in North America, is backed by thousands of hours of research and development, providing secure support without compromising comfort and mobility, enabling a distraction-free fit built to match every move.

"Through deep collaboration with our Ambassadors, we identified the specific demands they face during their most intense training sessions. Unrestricted Power delivers unparalleled support paired with the luxurious feel and freedom of movement our products are known for,” said Antonia Iamartino, Senior Director, Franchise Innovations, lululemon Research & Product Innovation.

The product features a new lululemon proprietary performance fabric called PowerLu™, which is crafted with the brand’s highest filament-count yarn to provide the ideal balance of engineered stretch, unrestricted motion, and stability. The unique dual-action design stretches effortlessly with every rep, providing targeted support for the body while reducing the sensation of riding up, slipping down, or pulling even in the deepest squat position.

Unrestricted Power was developed through rigorous wear-testing with lululemon’s Ambassador athletes, including strength and performance athlete Kayla Jeter and seven-time Formula 1™ World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who both contributed real-world feedback to the fit, construction and performance during their toughest workouts.

“As an athlete, training is integral to my daily routine, and I'm always searching for gear that offers a performance edge. Unrestricted Power complements my training perfectly and feels amazing during every set,” said Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1™ World Champion and lululemon Ambassador.

“Unrestricted Power is the tight I’ve been missing in my collection. When I’m in a deep squat and lift, I don’t have to adjust anything and can focus on my movement. These tights feel so buttery soft, but also durable, so you get the best of both worlds,” said Kayla Jeter, Strength and Performance Athlete, Run Coach, and lululemon Ambassador.

The brand’s newest train assortment will feature both women’s and men’s styles including:

Unrestricted Power High Rise Tight 25” (W): Secure support with engineered stretch, a no-inseam construction to eliminate pulling in deep squats, raised yoke for enhanced glute support, and a no-dig waistband that stays in place.

Unrestricted Power Short 7” Lined (M): Developed from the inside out with a liner designed to provide support while reducing the sensation of riding-up during squats, paired with a durable, four-way stretch outer shell.

Unrestricted Power Cropped Long Sleeve (W) & Long Sleeve (M): Lightweight, second-skin tops designed for uninhibited movement, featuring ultra-flexible, soft-brushed fabric that wicks sweat, dries quickly, and breathes easily.

With the release of Unrestricted Power, lululemon continues to expand their high-performance training assortment designed to fuel every workout, including Wunder Train™, Glow Up™ and Licence to Train™ collections and Chargefeel ™ shoes.

Lenzing unveils three-tier cellulosic fiber portfolio for next generation protective wear

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, today introduces Lenzing Solutions for Protective Wear. This integrated three-tier portfolio is anchored by LENZING™ FR fibers at the highest protection tier for inherent flame resistance and brings together complementary solutions including TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, both EU Ecolabel-certified² and derived from certified or controlled wood sources³, within a unified protective wear architecture for the first time. The launch marks the most significant expansion of Lenzing’s protective wear business since the company pioneered inherently flame-resistant cellulosic fiber in 1977, and comes as the global personal protective equipment (PPE) market accelerates toward an estimated USD 130 billion by 2033⁴.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.