Five wash updates from Artistic Milliners and SFI
Pakistan-based mill and manufacturer Artistic Milliners and its US wash and development centre Star Fades International (SFI) are launching five wash concepts at the upcoming Kingpins show in Amsterdam.
These can be used on their own or in a combination to take advantage of the companies’ finishing machinery including lasers, e-flow technology and foam dyeing.
Flash Fade is a water-free abrasion booster, an alternative to pumice stone that saves time, water and energy while lightening, abrading and enhancing denim highs and lows. The company describes it as a great solution for medium shades, and it can be combined with processes such as Brilliant Fade ozone booster to reduce process time.
Brilliant Fade is an energy- and water-efficient ozone booster that can create vintage washes without potassium permanganate and which uses a GOTS- and OEKO-TEX-certified and ZDHC level 3-compliant chemical to reduce the impact on the environment and workers.
HydroSave With Foam finishing uses a foam machine to achieve a wide range of finishes with water savings of up to 81%, according to the company. Additionally, dyeing is done at room temperature, yielding energy savings.
HydroCool Dyes, a pre-cationisation product that is ZDHC level 3 and Bluesign certified, saves water and energy and eliminates salt. The dye process uses room temperature water.
Next Gen Dyes use a patented process that extracts pigment powder from recycled garments and manufacturing waste. These 100% recycled pigment dyes can be used on cotton, wool, nylon or any natural fibre blend.
Artistic Milliners is undertaking an ambitious expansion strategy that includes the 2020 acquisition of SFI, a Los Angeles-based design, development and laundry facility, and Artmill, a finishing facility for non-denim fabrics and garments, including performance apparel and workwear, which opened in 2022. Artistic Milliners’ footprint also includes Artistic Energy, a renewable power subsidiary producing wind, solar and hydropower energy, and Circular Park, a recycling facility.
