A three-pronged initiative by Textured Jersey, Sri Lanka’s largest manufacturer of circular knitted fabric, to showcase the potential of locally-produced knitted fabrics to the global fashion industry will be one of the highlights of the 2012 Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF).

According to a recent report on www.sundattimes.lk, the company has provided its knit fabric and discarded fabric waste to two well-known Sri Lankan designer labels, Redcocoon and Lonali to produce new collections that will be seen for the first time on the SLDF ramp on Saturday, 17th November.

“Textured Jersey’s effort with Redcocoon, which was launched in 2010 as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable clothing line, promotes the company’s focus on sustainability. Redcocoon has created new opportunities not only in using Sri Lanka’s apparel waste but also in improving and complementing the country’s ethical manufacturing process. Using reclaimed fabric and trims from the Sri Lankan apparel industry and made in factories that are certified ‘garments without guilt’, the newspaper reported.

The label ‘Lonali’ will showcase a collection of garments produced in knitting centres in Mallavi and Mullaitivu and patched tops with hairpin laced bands produced with Textured Jersey’s waste fabric, as well as garments made from fabrics that use some of the waste yarn and cut off selvedges from Textured Jersey.

Complementing these two collections will be a third selected from 33 second year students following a BA course in Fashion Design at the Academy of Design (AOD), using knit fabrics of Textured Jersey.

Commenting on Textured Jersey’s work with the AOD students, Stuart MacLeod, Head of Fashion at the Academy told the Sunday Times: “Working with Textured Jersey offered the designers the possibility to understand the huge potential in construction, drape and finish. Jersey is more than ever dominating retail, but still has limitless possibilities to create new and exciting fashion pieces.”

Textured Jersey employs one of Sri Lanka’s most sophisticated production facilities for the manufacture of knitted fabrics for the intimate apparel and sportswear industries.

Source: Sunday Times