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“We are watching EU regulations carefully”

“We are watching EU regulations carefully”

From an update to its matte offering, to partnering for circularity and helping brands address the upcoming European Union legislation, Lenzing’s head of global business development for denim, Tuncay Kiliçkan, explains how the Austrian fibre company is keeping one step ahead. Can you start by telling us about the new Matte Tencel Denim collection, how it came about and what the benefits are? Two years...

Dialogue

19 July 2023
A natural flair: Tetyana Chumak A natural flair: Tetyana Chumak
CLOCKING ON... Designer and TG Botanical creative director Tetyana Chumak weaves moments of wellness into her workday as she balances running her Ukraine-based brands and family farmland remotely from Catalonia.
27 June 2023
Reuse jeans to lower impact Reuse jeans to lower impact
A specialist group dedicated to textiles that the European Recycling Industries Confederation (EuRIC) set up in 2019 has published a lifecycle assessment (LCA) report.
20 June 2023
“It is time to break existing business models” “It is time to break existing business models”
For denim industry leader Nicolas Prophte, it is time to update the definition of a successful business by adding responsible metrics to the existing and dominant financial indicators. He also believes that critical and creative thinking should be encouraged and celebrated, and there is reason to be positive: the denim industry has the potential to lead the way.
02 June 2023
“It can’t be a lab product, you have to go huge” “It can’t be a lab product, you have to go huge”
Nature Coatings’ founder CEO, Jane Palmer, tells us how deep the roots really go of her company’s 100% bio-based BioBlack TX black pigment, a one-for-one and price competitive replacement for petroleum-derived carbon black for textiles, made from certified wood waste.
16 May 2023
Christine Rucci – A True Blue Christine Rucci – A True Blue
Denim expert Christine Rucci has first hand experience working with the biggest names in the industry. Next year, she will be celebrating 40 years in the business of making jeans.
19 April 2023
Leanne Jae: developing a London wash aesthetic Leanne Jae: developing a London wash aesthetic
The wash whizz and laundry manager behind a newly opened denim research and development lab at London jeansmaker Blackhorse Lane Ateliers (BLA), Leanne Jae, also an independent denim, development and wash consultant, discusses her passion for stretching the technologies and minds of both today and tomorrow.
21 February 2023
Dissolve to evolve Dissolve to evolve
Resortecs, the Belgian start-up that has developed dissolvable stitching threads and a disassembly process to simplify the process of recovering and recycling textile products, continues to make progress. Chief executive and co-founder, Cédric Vanhoeck, explains how.
31 January 2023
From global to local From global to local
The Magic of Denim Consultancy founder David Tring shares his personal news and views, from the making of his future denim archive to the evolution of globalisation and work and how they will shape the future of the industry as seen from Hong Kong.
19 January 2023
Tricia Carey – Circularity: the future is now Tricia Carey – Circularity: the future is now
Tricia Carey, Renewcell’s new chief commercial officer, envisions the day when circularity is no longer an option but a requirement. She observes that this entails a radical scaling of innovative circular materials and that current ‘wait-and-see’ attitudes are in effect high risk.
12 January 2023
Emotion-led designing Emotion-led designing
From choosing each day’s jeans to reading indigo philosophy, Christina Agtzidou’s deep love for denim is woven into all aspects of her day.
10 January 2023
Rethink the whole system Rethink the whole system
Milan-based denim designer Rossella Dal Poz, who has worked on successful projects for brands including 7 for All Mankind, Jacob Cohen and Gas Jeans, talks to Inside Denim.
01 December 2022
“Our industry is a trend setter in innovation and sustainability” “Our industry is a trend setter in innovation and sustainability”
Head of Denim Design for Polish brand Big Star, Martin Kuc sees the denim industry as one of the most innovative and sustainable in fashion. He keeps up to date on all new products and concepts and shares his latest finds.
25 October 2022
“We have just this one planet, and we know externalities are ultimately paid for” “We have just this one planet, and we know externalities are ultimately paid for”
Sarah Bellos, founder and CEO of Stony Creek Colors, says the industry has yet to meet the ultimate challenge, shifting to regenerative processes and materials instead of endlessly depleting finite resources.
08 September 2022
A regenerative mindset A regenerative mindset
Sebla Onder, head of sustainability for Orta, walks us through the many steps the company is taking on its journey to making the most sustainable jeans.
12 July 2022
Buenos Aires bound Buenos Aires bound
Clocking On... Argentina-based Ana Paula Alves has a packed schedule, working as a consultant, educator and organiser of South American denim events.
14 June 2022
Stellar progress towards circular ambitions Stellar progress towards circular ambitions
Dutch brand G-Star Raw says customers are increasingly invested in sustainability.
09 June 2022
Ani Wells: People are over heavy marketing and want substance Ani Wells: People are over heavy marketing and want substance
The communications advisor and founder of Simply Suzette tells us that bridging the gap between the industry and consumer with a transparent look at supply chain processes is one of her main focuses, with new research and collaborations under way.
26 April 2022
Making the magic happen Making the magic happen
Moreno De Angelis, head of Italy-based washing research centre Iskoteca, says the chemistry involved in making great jeans needs to be a key consideration throughout the entire process.
12 April 2022
Enrique Silla: A strong eruption of colour will boost the industry to another level Enrique Silla: A strong eruption of colour will boost the industry to another level
Enrique Silla, co-founder of Jeanologia, offers his views on where the industry is heading and how on-demand manufacturing and collaboration will be vital to increase efficiency.
08 April 2022
Phil James: The future of retail is a dual offering and more tactile experiences Phil James: The future of retail is a dual offering and more tactile experiences
The founder of UK-based independent retailer &Sons says working with pioneering fabric suppliers is vital, and the brand’s ties with denim enthusiasts are fundamental to its success
05 April 2022
Blending tradition and innovation Blending tradition and innovation
Clocking On... For more than 130 years, Berto has been synonymous with high-quality fabrics. Its CEO, Flavio Berto, opens the door to the family-run mill.
31 March 2022
Rowan Hunt: 50 years of damage won’t be fixed overnight Rowan Hunt: 50 years of damage won’t be fixed overnight
The UK-based denim consultant says everyone wants to save the planet but it can be hard for big high-street retailers to turn the ship as fast as they’d like. He recommends incremental steps and road maps – small steps can lead to a big impact.
24 March 2022
Lukas Puender: Collaboration between traceability platforms will be vital Lukas Puender: Collaboration between traceability platforms will be vital
The co-founder of Germany-based digital tracing platform Retraced says fashion companies will soon be held accountable for transparency in their supply chains, and has been working with Pakistani denim producer Artistic Milliners to trace cotton from the field to finished product.
15 March 2022
Sandya Lang: Knowledge is power Sandya Lang: Knowledge is power
Sandya Lang, Nudie Jeans’ sustainability manager, is passionate about improving conditions for workers in the supply chain, as well as reducing the brand’s environmental impact.
15 February 2022
Amrin Sachathep: Covid has shown that trust is vital Amrin Sachathep: Covid has shown that trust is vital
From a ‘strategically good’ location close to Bangkok in Thailand, Atlantic Mills specialises in selvedge and Japanese-style denims but with a European slant on colour, creating high-quality, long-lasting fabrics that look even better over time. Its managing director, Amrin Sachathep, shares the vision of his family’s mill.
19 January 2022
Jason Denham: There are 10-year peaks and denim is making a huge comeback Jason Denham: There are 10-year peaks and denim is making a huge comeback
Denham founder Jason Denham says the technical and social development of denim over recent years has been incredible and fabrics are better than ever. The innovation and changes within the industry means jeans are now the most sustainable garments.
30 November 2021
Alessio Berto: Patternmaking skills are making a comeback Alessio Berto: Patternmaking skills are making a comeback
From seeing local technical skills diminish as production moved overseas in the 1990s, Alessio says companies are now understanding their value and there is an acute need to pass these skills onto the younger generation before they are lost. An exciting collaboration that will come to fruition next year will show how patternmakers, young designers, students and artists can work together to produce a collection suitable for ‘climate change’.
03 November 2021
Shining the light Shining the light
Designers and consultants Malin Ekengren, Miles Johnson and Sue Barrett have been friends for many years. They discuss how the industry is changing, how the pandemic has shifted the goalposts and how they’d like to see things develop in the future.
20 October 2021
Amy Wang: Advancing the green agenda Amy Wang: Advancing the green agenda
Investment in new technologies and a sharp focus on R&D have contributed to Advance Denim’s success, according to general manager Amy Wang – helping it to achieve double-digit growth for over a decade.
06 October 2021
Alberto Candiani: If we want to make lasting advances, we must level the playing field Alberto Candiani: If we want to make lasting advances, we must level the playing field
Alberto Candiani, the president of Italy’s Candiani, believes the pandemic could lead to sustainable change, but that global regulations are necessary. He says compostability should be prioritised when it comes to tackling waste, and is proud of the mill’s advances with Coreva, a world first in denim fabric innovation.
01 September 2021
Luigi Lovato: Apart from a few excellent exceptions, the brand/supplier relationship looks less like a partnership and more like a bargain market Luigi Lovato: Apart from a few excellent exceptions, the brand/supplier relationship looks less like a partnership and more like a bargain market
The supply chain needs the flexibility and backing to invest in research and technology, if it is to deliver the improvements future consumers will demand, says the CEO of jeans maker Elleti. The Italian group has invested in wash technlogies that will help it to deliver greener product through quicker and safer production processes, and will roll these out across its facilities.
11 August 2021
Clocking On... Art imitating life Clocking On... Art imitating life
Artist Ian Berry immerses himself in the creative process to produce world-renowned artworks using denim as his medium.
29 July 2021
Piero Turk: It’s the start of a new future for garment finishes Piero Turk: It’s the start of a new future for garment finishes
Denim expert Piero Turk sees further potential in ozone and recycled fibres but wishes there was a greater understanding of the people and processes behind clothing manufacture. He works hard on his collaborations with some of the leading brands, mills and suppliers – but makes sure he also takes time out to relax.
22 July 2021
Dalia Benefatto: A scientific approach to textiles leads to great discoveries Dalia Benefatto: A scientific approach to textiles leads to great discoveries
From discovering ozone in Turkey with Wrangler, to creating performance denim lines using cosmetic oils, Dalia Benefatto has approached the industry through the curious vision of a chemist. She tells students that they have power to shape the future, and hopes that one day our garments will follow nature’s cycle - even ending up as fertiliser, instead of landfill.
15 July 2021
Hiro Yoshikawa: A new twist on Japanese denim Hiro Yoshikawa: A new twist on Japanese denim
Ikeme Eshemokhai in conversation with Hiro Yoshikawa, founder of Washi Jeans. Mr Yoshikawa understands the value of craftsmanship, hard work and patience: his new jeans collection, created using traditional Japanese washi paper, has been 21 years in the making.
08 July 2021
Phil Wildbore: It’s amazing to have a brand that resonates with people Phil Wildbore: It’s amazing to have a brand that resonates with people
The founder of UK brand Flax & Loom has a long history in the denim industry, creating street brands such as Road in the 1980s. He is fed up with the amount of greenwashing, and hopes consumers soon make the connection between low price, poor quality and exploitative labour conditions.
30 June 2021
Matteo Sinigaglia: Replay toasts to the next 40 Matteo Sinigaglia: Replay toasts to the next 40
As the premium Italian jeans brand prepares to celebrate four decades in business, its CEO Matteo Sinigaglia tells Inside Denim the key to longevity is consistency and authenticity.
15 June 2021
Kerry Bannigan: SDGs are the framework for the future Kerry Bannigan: SDGs are the framework for the future
Kerry Bannigan, founder of the Conscious Fashion Campaign, believes the denim industry can be a key driver of social, economic and environmental change through its adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.
14 April 2021
Miko Underwood: Mighty oaks from little acorns grow Miko Underwood: Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
New York-based brand Oak & Acorn - Only for the Rebelles pays homage to the untold story of the Indigenous American & the enslaved Africans’ contributions that have shaped American manufacturing and denim. Founder Miko Underwood explains how she expresses her vision through her designs and why she feels now is the right time to educate and inspire to drive positive change.
30 March 2021
Marc Meijers: Innovation and true sustainability are too often not the top priority Marc Meijers: Innovation and true sustainability are too often not the top priority
The CEO of DenimX has seen a change in mindset since he started the upcycling business. Consumers and manufacturers are increasingly looking for products and materials that communicate a story. Imperfections are valued because they show the item has been made through a sustainable process.
25 March 2021
Imogen Nulty: Denim is key to longevity so we’ve focused on the perfect fabrics Imogen Nulty: Denim is key to longevity so we’ve focused on the perfect fabrics
The pandemic has taught us we can manage with less, says the denim design manager at Scotch & Soda. The Dutch retailer is investing in its higher-volume items, as these have the biggest impact, and is in the process of reworking its denim essentials to make all fabrics and washes ‘responsible’.
23 March 2021
Wouter Munnichs: Creative online content is more important than ever Wouter Munnichs: Creative online content is more important than ever
The man behind the Long John denim blog is advising brands, mills and stores on new ways to reach their audiences, with many shops temporarily closed because of the pandemic.
16 March 2021
Luca Braschi: Translating the vision on to the canvas Luca Braschi: Translating the vision on to the canvas
Now is a good time to explore new areas of finishing and develop novel techniques, according to Luca Braschi from denim consultancy Blue Alchemy.
10 March 2021
Andrea Venier: The road to create new products is paved with failures, but we love the challenge Andrea Venier: The road to create new products is paved with failures, but we love the challenge
The managing director of Italy-based chemicals company Officina+39 has witnessed its customers rethink business models and investigate new technologies and innovations.

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