The Eastman Innovation Lab, a strategic programme that focuses on advancing innovation through design and education, has partnered with O’More College of Design to challenge fashion students to design and construct evening gowns with Naia, Eastman’s new cellulosic yarn.

Made from wood pulp derived exclusively from sustainably managed and certified forests, Eastman Naia cellulosic yarn was introduced in Paris, at Interfilière, the leading international intimates, swimwear and activewear sourcing and fabrics platform, which concluded in January.

“Naia will be fantastic to practice with for future design innovators because it’s durable, machine washable, moisture manageable, stain resistant, wrinkle resistant and last but certainly not least, eco-friendly,” the company explains.

Design challenge

The challenge’s parameters use popular forecasting company, WGSN’s Future Past Key Trend and a Warm Neutrals and Desert Hues colour story. Students can incorporate additional fabrics and accent colours, but must feature Naia in at least 75% of the final design.

Over the semester, while each student is creating an evening gown out of Naia, the Eastman Innovation Lab will be following the students’ design process with a GoPro. The students have already completed concept boards and some muslin mockups.

Some students shared their ideas with the Eastman Innovation Lab. “The inspiration behind my design for the Naia challenge comes from the mosaic techniques used in the Byzantine Empire,” said Kelly Nieser. “I want to be able to express and challenge myself creatively, while doing what I love every day. My inspiration for this project comes from the historical fashions of the Elizabethan Era,” commented Ashleigh Cain.

Naia’s first prototype knit

Jos Berry, global trendsetter, founder and CEO of Concepts Paris, hosted Whisperings, a walk-through experience and trends project for the Interfilière Paris fair. Celebrating creativity and beauty cantered around technical prowess in lingerie for spring/summer 2018, the forum welcomed visitors to learn about Eastman’s new cellulosic yarn.

During show hours, attendees could visit Whisperings at the Interfilière General Forum, during which Eastman Chemical Company’s new cellulosic yarn brand story and knit collection was on display. For Whisperings, Eastman, working with US knitter Bella Fabrics, created a prototype knit using Naia cellulosic yarn to illustrate the lightness and silky femininity of the new brand name.

“My vision for Whisperings is to evoke the emotional experience and value that technology brings to lingerie, and Naia’s first prototype knit seeks to capture the elements of lightness, silkiness and beauty,” said Jos Berry. “These themes are integral parts of a lingerie experience for a woman, and the fibre itself enables these elements beautifully.”

Performance benefits

A supplier of filament yarn to the textile industry for 80 years, Eastman introduced Naia cellulosic yarn as the newest offering for those seeking to innovate in their next collection.

“New technical data confirms that Naia can inherently provide the performance consumers are demanding in intimate apparel, such as moisture management, cool hand and practical usability. Fabrics made of Naia release stains like wine and coffee easily, offer excellent wrinkle recovery, and can be laundered at home. It’s with these newly proven benefits that Eastman ushers in its fresh brand name for the intimate apparel space,” the company comments.

www.innovationlab.eastman.com