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FLEECE
– The Regatta Thor 111 Fleece from
is both durable and relatively easy to garment has been decorated, the Row, for instance, is both flattering,
BTC Activewear
decorate. The majority of fleece swing ticket is pulled off and the zip soft, fitted and contains 4% – The lady-fit micro jacket from FOTL
items are embroidered, however the virtually disappears.” elastane.”
– FR58 half zip sheared fleece from
Front Row
nature of the fabric does present
– Student designer, Siquin Hua uses
opportunities for slightly more To help decorators Stormtech, also With fleece being a relatively screen printing for her ‘view’ inspired
unconventional approaches to provide data sheets highlighting mature market, Alison (Woodvine)
design on Polartec fleece.
garment decoration. where and how the garments can be believes there is limited scope for
decorated. With a set of top tips to further expansion and innovation
Alison (Woodvine) explained, achieve stunning designs. compared with some other types of
“Some garment decorators have
Current trends
promotional outerwear. “There is
enjoyed success by using laser- already a large choice of fabrics and
engraving equipment to reduce the The demand for the use of more garments on the market, which
height of the fabric’s ‘pile’ in selected technical garments and the use of caters for just about any conceivable
areas to create memorable ‘etched’ fabrics with improved fit is making a fleece requirement,” she said. “Micro
designs with a tone on tone noticeable impact in the market. As fleece garments have enjoyed a
appearance.” And, as pointed out by too, is a growing requirement for growth in demand of late, but again
Allison Estabrook, Polartec Global ecologically friendly products. In the market for these garments is
Director of Design, “Because the addition to which, many believe that already relatively mature.”
fabric is still polyester based you can the Polar fleece end of the market
print on it. Our recent project with has probably reached saturation David (Sanders-Smith) also believes
Central St Martins, involved printing point, emphasising this point, Kevin that the mid-range sector of the
and embellishing on a selection of said, “There is a growing demand for fleece market could potentially be
recycled fabrics, all with tremendous more technical garments, however affected by the introduction of
results.” the promotional wear industry is still softshell.
determined by price and use.”
Explaining further, Allison Each of the brands we spoke to
(Estabrook) said, “Fleeces can be cut “In years gone by the promotional have also recognised the growing
and sewn without needing any hems. industry has lagged behind the retail interest in environmentally friendly
The raw edges can give the market, during the last few years, products and fairtrade. Each ensure
deconstruct look of a very modern however we have seen this change that products and fabrics are sourced
apparel piece. Fleece also has unique radically,” Added, Emma Wood, from worker friendly factories and as
properties that can be laminated, Russell Europe. “This in turn has point out by Allison (Estabrook) “The
embossed, printed, burnt-out and resulted with the benefits and entire world is making an attempt to
lasered.” properties of the fabric becoming be environmentally conscious of
more essential in garment choice. For selections in apparel, beginning with
During a recent visit to instance wickability and breathability the fabrication of the textile up to
TheMagicTouch, Carl Newbury (with CoolMax and Coolfresh fabrics), the end product being produced in
demonstrated to us the use of heat the fit of the garment etc., are being worker friendly factories to fair trade
transfer on fleece. The item was a demanded more which is clearly agreements.”
horse blanket and whilst initially you influenced by the retail sector.”
could see where the pile had been Continuing she added, “I believe
crushed, he revealed that by brushing Continuing she said, “The this is just the beginning of the
it the press marks were removed. introduction of women’s fits and consumer being considerate in
styles over the last few years have reducing their carbon footprint when
David (Sanders) was also quick to also become more prevalent, it is no selecting an article of clothing.”
point out that whilst fleece can prove longer acceptable to a have a one
difficult to print, it embroidered size fits all approach, which is why However, Nicci doesn’t believe the
particularly well. Commenting he we have cuts and sizes to suit strength of demand for
said, “All of our garments have women across our range.” environmentally friendly fabrics have
excellent decorating properties and filtered through to the promotional
we created them with the decorator Nicci Persey, Lea Sportswear wear sector as is currently being
in mind. For instance, each has a zip agrees, “In addition to providing seen in the high street. “With brands
access to allow personalisation garments to suit and fit women, one such as Patagonia introducing
without penetrating the lining.The of the perhaps more unusual trends, environmentally fleeces successfully
zips are so discreet, we attach swing yet proving very popular, is the and high street outlets such as Marks
tickets to them to allow the garment addition of elastane to fleece. The & Spencer, in responding to
decorator to locate them. Once the FR70 Ladies micro fleece from Front consumer demand, planning to
www.mayerhousebusinessmedia.co.uk AUGUST 2007 P R I N T W E A R T O D A Y 31
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