Bemis Associates has announced the launch of its Terra and Fashion Meets Function collections to designers, innovators and leading apparel factories here at the Summer Outdoor Retailer 2015 taking place in Salt Lake City.

“Bemis is committed to providing the design and innovation community with the products they need to elevate their designs through bonding,” said Steve Howard, Chief Executive Officer of Bemis Worldwide. “The Terra and Fashion Meets Function collections each provide key advancements in garment construction and align perfectly with major trends that we are seeing in the marketplace. We’re excited to see what the world’s leading brands can accomplish when their imaginations are uninhibited.”

Terra Collection

Natural fibres’ inherent comfort, aesthetic and anti-odour characteristics are why leading athletic brands are increasingly incorporating them into their designs, Bemis says. The Terra collection includes bonded applications that enable designers to seamlessly blend casual fibres within highly technical garments. Designers can get the most out of natural fabrics without the bulk, the weight or the compromised comfort of cut and sew.

There are two key Bemis products within the Terra collection:

• Bemis Natural Fiber is specifically formulated for natural textiles including wool, cotton, poly-blends and taffeta. This solution allows for basic construction needs including fabric-to-fabric and piece-to-piece. It is said to be ideal for incorporating the current trend of non-synthetics and blends into concepts through overlap seam, fabric overlays, panel to panel and fold over finishes.

• OT523 allows the addition of detail to heavier materials, including fleece. Thicker than Bemis’ standard overlay tape, it’s easy to die cut or laser cut and is abrasion-resistant. OT523 is said to be an excellent way to add differentiating detail for zippers, pocket flaps, collars or cuffs while adhering to even unexpected surfaces for pieces that really stand out.

Fashion Meets Function

Athleisure is dominating the marketplace right now, Bemis notes. “Consumers are loyally wearing what they like aesthetically and what fits best, indiscriminate of fitness or fashion demarcation. The Fashion Meets Function collection was created to enable designers to produce beautiful and versatile garments that transition throughout the day with consumers – from the gym to drinks with friends,” the company adds.

There are two marquee products in the Fashion Meets Function collection:

• Exoflex film stretches and springs back into shape right along with performance wear fabrics, letting designers enhance their designs without compromising functionality. Just like the OT523 fabric, Exoflex can be die or laser cut and is abrasion resistant. Recommended applications for Exoflex are edge trims, laser cut graphics, functional panels, and waistbands.

Heather Seam Reinforcement Tape can be used in designs to add the timelessly trendy look of heather detail to solid colour fabrics, complementing the look of traditional sportswear. The tape adds visual appeal and strengthens bonding.

Both the Terra and Fashion Meets Function collections are available now.

www.bemisworldwide.com