Homecoming for Sharabati as new Syria facility to provide 1,000 jobs
Denim mill Sharabati is preparing to return to Syria, with a new mill under construction that is expected to provide around 1,000 jobs.
The family-run company was originally established in Syria in the 1970s, but left the country around 15 years ago due to unrest. It operates facilities in Egypt – its current headquarters – as well as Turkey, and has sales offices worldwide.
The reopening of a base in Syria, which is due to be completed early next year, makes the family proud, Joud Sharabati told Inside Denim. “Syria has been through a lot, so this will be coming full circle,” she said. “We want to support the people there, so we are very happy.”
The mill presented its spring-summer 27 collections at Kingpins Amsterdam, expanding on previous themes. Verso incorporates performance characteristics, whether in terms of softness, antibacterial qualities or breathability. Blends with Tencel and Egyptian cotton keep wearers comfortable. Novelties include a blue reactive dye which maintains its raw look, and a “multicoloured” indigo fabric that uses two indigo shades in the warp to create a distinctive pattern. “We believe more and more people will expect performance from the fabric, whether that is extra softness or perhaps antibacterial properties,” Dilek Erik, Sharabati’s global marketing manager, tells us.
The Good Ole collection is rooted in the company’s ability to recycle its cotton waste through its own recycling plant. Up to 40 tons of waste is collected every day for the production of 50 tons of yarn. Linen blends, overdyes and new colours and constructions add vintage depth to these fabrics.
The CoolR collection focuses on playful colours and designs, featuring 75 exclusive prints each season from the in-house print facility, as well as stripes, coated fabrics and overdyes.
