Cotton, always a favorite fiber especially for the winter season, has further matured in terms of spinning technology, woven structure and finishes in Fall/Winter 2022. Spinners and weavers have come up with more sophisticated, better quality, long staple yarns in various sizes to achieve a better handle and feel of cotton like never before. With cotton yarns being more compact and smooth, premium cotton fabric now wears a natural gleam but also has substantial body for improved durability. Cotton with essentially better quality means unnecessary finishes are omitted, helping us preserve the environment with fewer pollutant.
That said, compact pure cotton and cotton blends work well with the application of finishes in many other aspects. Not just confined to coatings, high gloss satin effects are emerging through cotton/synthetic blends and weave construction, resulting in double-sided fabrics with wet look finish. A high polished finish using resins and was applied through calendaring and metallic and PU printing.
All in all, consumers’ tastes are shifting back to the more natural handle and feel of cotton but are increasingly fond of functional finishes especially for casual apparels. Whilst lamination and bonding are still being used in appropriate occasions, consumers now expect an even more natural touch of functional fabrics. Thanks to the popularized nano-technology, we can now enjoy a full spectrum of weather, stain and oil-proof performance and durability on a very common fabric that still retains the natural cotton touch. The beauty of such treatment is that it also allows application on a peached surface, allowing an even warmer and more welcoming hand. It seems to be only a matter of time before this treatment becomes an industry standard application to all fabrications, including novelty and formal clothing.
Elegance and nonconformity characterize the trend with which favors quality and fluid fabrics rigorously adapted to the social graces of Deauville in the 20’s. It is a trend closely blending suppleness and seaside graphics with the aim of flattering the figure and silhouette, all with natural nonchalance. Featherweight and surfaced cotton for flowing and airy shapes with dotted swiss effects and scattered tender flowers make a collection of romantic details, smocking and gathers reminiscent of day dreams of the past.
Cotton is the perfect partner for the energetic colors for the season as basics go bright. From yarn dye through to space and piece dyeing through to printing, bright hues will be applied both knits and woven. Yarn dyed woven fabric, in particular, even hits the market with a smart twist of colour enhancement this season. Whilst solid and dual-coloured double yarns are becoming a thing of the past, multiple coloured yarns are now being spun into one to make a triple or quadruple coloured yarn for a more exuberant visual impact. The summer checks and stripes should now be opening to a whole heap of new possibilities, let alone dobbies and jacquards, even highlighting the winter glory with a subtle rainbow tone if you please.
Print play an important role as modern abstract, bright vintage floral with water print effect emerge in exaggerated proportions. Soft pastels in pink, lilac, peach and sky blue are also in the theme.
