Lycra and Tactel Trends
Elegance and self-expression are key for 2002 The elegance of the 1920s combined with the 1960s-inspired celebration of self-expression will co-exist in summer 2002—at least in the realm of knitwear, according to a recent knit and sweater trend presentation sponsored by DuPont’s Lycra and Tactel divisions.
DuPont knitwear consultant Sheila-Mary Carruthers led the presentation, which was held in a suite in the California Mart and included an overview of three knitwear trends: Parade, Dance and Express.
Parade includes luxury fibers in 1920s-inspired elegant patterns, Carruthers said.
“It’s quite pretty, but not in a floral way,” she said, noting the return of seersucker, waffles and checked knits. The group also includes a continued interested in metal and metal-look yarns—a trend that Carruthers noted has not yet hit its stride.
Dance includes fabrics with surface interest that suggests movement. The trend group includes the “exotic” conflict of rigid and pliant yarns, Carruthers said.
“Use the fabric structure to do the design work for you,” she added.
Metals are also evident in this trend group, turning up in both copper and steel-silver variations. Fabrics will be garment-printed to create a unique look for each piece or embellished for even more surface detail.
Express includes a nod to the spirit of self-expression of the 1960s.
“I was forced to acknowledge that there are people who weren’t alive then—and it was lively and fun,” Carruthers joked.
Surface interest is created by mixing the weight of the yarns within one fabric or by latex-printing finished fabric, Carruthers said.
“The trick is to print the fabric taut,” she said. “Then you release it and have a really interesting surface treatment.”
Metals also are prevalent in this group—both physically, as a metallic yarn, or as a surface treatment such as foil printing. —Alison A. Nieder
